Nampodong Street (Theater District)

The basics

You could easily spend the entire day shopping in Nampo-dong, home to the Nampo-dong Underground Shopping Center and Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street. Be sure to carve out time to visit nearby Gukje Market, which sells everything from clothing and electronics to souvenirs and Korean street food. An abundance of culinary options can also be found at BIFF Square and Jagalchi Market, South Korea’s largest seafood market. If you want to take a break from shopping and feasting, Yongudsan Park, which claims the 394-foot-tall (120-meter-tall) Busan Tower, is a short walk away.

Things to know before you go

• Be sure to bring cash—some of the markets and street vendors do not accept cards.

• Get a little further off-grid and head north to Daecheong-ro, where you’ll find Bosu-dong Book Street, a narrow alley of small second-hand bookstores.

• While the Busan International Film Festival used to be held here, the annual event is now held at the Busan Cinema Center in Centum City. However, you can still see the imprints of famous hands at BIFF Square, including those of Juliette Binoche and Willem Dafoe.

How to get there

Nampo-dong is easily reached by public transit, and visitors can take the metro to Nampo Station or Jagalchi Station, or nearly any city bus that runs down Gudeok-ro. The area is within walking distance of Jagalchi Market, Yongdusan Park, Yeongdo Bridge, and Eurari Square. Remember that paid parking is limited, and drivers will have the best luck finding a space at a parking structure near Jagalchi Station.

When to get there

Busan visitors can expect Nampo-dong to be bustling from mid-morning until long after the sun goes down. Shopaholics will have the most comfortable shopping experience if they visit in the morning when stores first open. Hungry travelers should aim to arrive in the late afternoon, between the lunch and dinner rushes. This allows you to savor the flavors of numerous street food stands without waiting in endless lines.

Christmas cheer in Nampo-dong

December visitors can enjoy Busan’s Christmas Tree Festival on Gwangbok-ro in Nampo-dong. Every year, the city chooses a different theme and decorates the street with a seemingly endless number of trees, lights, and decorations. In addition, nightly performances and special events add an extra layer of cheer to this twinkly winter celebration.