Gukje Market

Overview

Gukje Market is a vibrant traditional market in Busan, South Korea, offering a wide variety of goods from clothing and accessories to local delicacies and fresh produce. It's a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking an authentic shopping and cultural experience.

Gukje Market is one of the oldest and most famous markets in Busan, known for its rich history and diverse offerings. It's a significant destination for experiencing the local culture and trying traditional Korean food.

Traditional Market Shopping Cultural

Location

Address

25 Gukjesijang 2-gil, Jung-gu, Busan

Neighborhood: Jung-gu

Coordinates

35.103300, 129.039100

Visiting Information

Opening Hours

monday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

tuesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

friday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

saturday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

sunday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Admission

Adults

Free

Children

Free

Best Time to Visit

Overall Best Period

April-June, October-November

Best Time of Day

Morning

fewer crowds, cooler temperatures

Duration Recommendations

Minimum

1 hour

Recommended

2-3 hours

Full Experience

half day

Seasonal Highlights

spring

mild to warm

• cherry blossoms
• spring produce

summer

hot and humid

• summer clothing
• refreshing drinks

autumn

cool and pleasant

• fall produce
• traditional Korean crafts

winter

cold

• winter clothing
• hot street food

Know Before You Go

Essential Information

Cash preferred
Haggling common
Comfortable shoes recommended

What to Bring

essential

Cash Comfortable shoes Water bottle

seasonal

Umbrella Jacket Scarf

not allowed

Large bags Drones

Health & Safety

Physical Requirements: Low to moderate

• Crowded spaces
• Uneven ground

Medical facilities: Nearby hospitals and clinics

Payment Information

Accepted

Cash, Credit cards (at some vendors)

Currency

South Korean Won (KRW)

Typical Costs

entry Free

parking $1-2

food $2-10

souvenirs $5-50

Dress Code

Casual, Comfortable clothing and shoes, Comfortable walking shoes, Inappropriate or revealing clothing

Booking Tips

• Not typically required
• On-site
• Not applicable
• Not applicable

Amenities

Restrooms

Gift shop

Atm

Wifi

Lockers

Wheelchair rental

Stroller rental

On site restaurant

Cafe

Picnic areas

Outside food allowed

Digital Services

Mobile App

Busan Tour

Size: 30 MB

Features: Market map, Audio guide, Event information, Language translation

Platforms: iOS, Android

WiFi Zones: Market entrance, Food courts

Charging Stations: Limited availability

How to Reach

From Airport

Nearest: Gimhae International Airport

Distance: 15 km

Travel Time: 20-30 minutes

taxi

$20-25 25 min

public_transport

$2-3 40-50 min

From City Center

Distance: 2 km

metro

$1 15 min

bus

$1 10 min

taxi

$5-7 5-10 min

Local Insights

Cultural Context

Why Locals Love It: Rich history, authentic cultural experience, and delicious street food

Historical Significance: Established after the Korean War to support refugees, now a symbol of Busan's resilience and local culture

Insider Tips

Visit on weekdays for a less crowded experience
Haggling is common, but be polite and reasonable
Try the local street food specialties like gukbap (soup with rice) and sundae (blood sausage)

Local Recommendations

• Try milmyeon (sweet noodles) at a local stall
• Visit nearby BIFF Square for a movie-themed experience
• Check out the traditional Korean crafts at the market

Language Help

Useful Phrases

hello 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo)

thank_you 감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida)

where_is 어디에 있어요? (Eodie isseoyo?)

how_much 얼마예요? (Eolmayeyo?)

beautiful 빨간 (Ppalgan)

ticket 표 (Pyo)

Guide Languages: English, Korean, Japanese

Photography Guide

Best Photo Spots

Market entrance

Best Time: Morning

Tips: Wide shot capturing the bustling market

Result: Vibrant market scene

#Busan #GukjeMarket #MarketLife

Street food stalls

Best Time: Afternoon

Tips: Close-ups of colorful food

Result: Mouth-watering street food

#StreetFood #KoreanFood #Foodie

Near the flower shops

Best Time: Spring

Tips: Macro shots of flowers

Result: Beautiful floral arrangements

#Flowers #Spring #Blooms

Photography Rules

allowed areas Outdoor areas, Common spaces

prohibited areas Inside shops without permission, Where food is prepared

flash photography Discretion advised

commercial photography Permission needed

drone policy Prohibited

tripod policy Restricted

selfie sticks Allowed

Nearby Attractions

BIFF Square

Distance: 200m

Walking: 3 min

Type: Landmark

Jagalchi Fish Market

Distance: 300m

Walking: 5 min

Type: Market

Gamcheon Culture Village

Distance: 3km

Walking: 35 min

Type: Cultural

Busan Tower

Distance: 1.5km

Walking: 20 min