Centred around bustling Busan Station, Dong-gu is a major transportation hub in Busan. It’s home to the city’s lively Chinatown and a famous set of stairs, as well as museums honouring some of its most influential residents.
Things to do in Dong-gu
Enjoy the views across Busan Port from the 168 Stairs, an aptly named walkway that ascends as high as a six-storey building. In times gone by, there were three wells located at the base of the staircase where locals would queue for drinking water. If you don’t want to walk, there is a funicular running alongside that offers impressive views of Dong-gu.
Just a stone’s throw from Busan Station is the city’s Chinatown, which is clustered with authentic eateries serving Chinese cuisine as well as Uzbek and Japanese fare. Admire the ornate Door of Shanghai erected in honour of Busan’s relationship with its city sister in China and stroll beneath the hanging red lanterns. Each October, the area hosts the Chinatown Festival, which features live music, cultural performances and exhibitions.
You can learn about the life and legacy of one of Dong-gu’s most prominent residents at the Chang Kee-ryo Memorial Hall, which honours Dr. Chang’s practice of sharing his wealth with poorer neighbours. Also not to miss in Dong-gu is the Yu Chi-hwan Postbox Observatory, which celebrates the artwork and literature of Yu Chi-hwan.
Getting around Dong-gu
Dong-gu is just under an hour by train from Gimhae International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and Asia. Long-distance trains connect from Seoul to the Busan railway station and ferries travel from Japan to the Busan Port. Subway services connect Dong-gu to destinations across the city and buses travel throughout the district.