Tucked away in the central Jung District, Nampo-dong is one of Busan’s liveliest neighbourhoods. It’s home to some of the city’s top attractions and is a great place to experience modern South Korea. There’s excellent shopping, with everything from bustling markets to trendy boutiques. Nampo-dong also plays an important role in the Busan International Film Festival, with a host of screenings held at its movie theatres and playhouses.
Things to do in Namp’o-dong
Named after the film festival, BIFF Square serves as the beating heart of Nampo-dong. The space is dedicated to South Korea’s film industry and is a great place to people watch. Nearby is the cavernous Gukje Market, with colourful stalls selling a huge selection of goods.
Those interested in shopping can head to Gwangbok-dong Cultural & Fashion Street, where you can pick up everything from bargain electronics to luxury items. A handful of elevators leads up to Yongdusan Park, where you’ll find the 120-metre tall Busan Tower.
Acting as an open-air aquarium, the Jagalchi Fish Market is one of Busan’s top attractions. Even if you don’t plan on buying any seafood, wandering around the market and peering into the local delicacies submerged in ice-filled buckets is an experience in itself.
If you love to eat, Nampo-dong serves up some of Busan’s best street food. Don’t leave without trying local dishes like spicy pork soup, fresh sashimi and traditional cut-up live octopus.
Getting around Namp’o-dong
Thanks to an extensive subway system it’s easy to get around Busan. Nampo-dong has its own subway station, as well as plenty of bus stops in the area. From downtown Busan, the ride to Nampo-dong takes around 45 minutes. The district is always busy, which makes it a hotspot for taxis. If you’re travelling to Gimhae International Airport, it’s best to allocate at least one hour.