This spectacular urban Buddhist temple (the head temple of the Jogye Order) is a highlight on any Busan itinerary. A pleasant uphill hike through quiet nature will take you to temple grounds, with beautiful ornate pavilions, Buddhist statues and worshippers, which include both temporary visitors and monks who reside here permanently. Temple grounds tend to get busy during holidays and weekends. You can either make a few hours' trip or – for full cultural immersion – book an overnight stay that includes an introduction to monastic life, complete with joining a formal dinner and pre-dawn chanting. Stays must booked in advance via the website, and there are several different programmes available. If you opt for the full experience, do mind that the (silent!) wake-up hour is at 5am.

2009 saw Gamcheon turn from an area of budget housing for refugees of the Korean War into a premier tourist attraction, all thanks to a collective effort by local students and artists, who transformed the neighbourhood with colourful wall painting and street art. Today Gamcheon even has a tourist office of its own: stop by on your way in to pick up a detailed map of the village's attractions; collect a stamp at each and you'll receive a small prize from the tourist office on submission. There is a small museum telling the neighbourhood's story, and a number of shops, cafes and street food stalls. When wandering the maze of Gamcheon's streets, please respect the privacy of family homes.

Fota House offers a glimpse at life in a 19th-century ‘big house’. Explore grand rooms with exquisite plasterwork, a beautifully preserved service wing, a charming nursery and even a delightful boudoir. The House boasts one of Ireland's most impressive landscape painting collections, as well as a Victorian Working Garden. Fota House gives visitors an intimate look at everyday life in the past, whether as a servant or as a member of the gentry class.