Banpo Double-Decker Rainbow Bridge

Crossing the Han River in downtown Seoul are dozens of long bridges that connect the two halves of the city. One of the most famous is Banpo Bridge, which is unusual not only because it runs directly over the top of another bridge, forming a double-decker structure, but because it also holds an impressive rainbow fountain display during the warmer months of the year.
I've visited the bridge a few times, and decided to post some photos here. The first group of photos I took back in early winter when I visited with my friend Hollis, while the second group I took a couple of weekends ago with Angela.

Banpo Bridge runs directly over Jamsu Bridge. Together, they form a double-decker structure, allowing both cars and pedestrians to cross the Han.

Surrounding the banks of the river are some pretty parks where people exercise and admire the nearby scenery.

Over near the south bank are some floating islands, used to house various exhibitions and performances.

Crossing the river via Jamsil Bridge, which runs directly beneath Banpo Bridge.

A closer look at the floating islands, which Hollis and I decided to explore.

Move forward half a year, and people are gathering near the bridge on a warm spring evening. Soon the rainbow fountain show will begin.

The show takes place several times a day from April to October. We decided to watch an evening performance since the colours are more pronounced then.

The fountain moves in hundreds of different configurations, some of which evoke waving willow branches.

There was quite a big crowd gathering to watch.

We decided to cross Jamsu Bridge to see the fountains and lights from underneath.

Near the floating islands on the south bank.

The Banpo Bridge fountain display is definitely worth adding to any Seoul sightseeing itinerary. If you'd like to find out performance times, check out Korea's official tourist site.

Spa Land - Korea's Best Jjimjilbang?

Back in March, I made a post about my first time in a jjimjilbang, and since then I've been to several more of these lavish Korean-style bathhouses. Dragon Hill Spa remains my favourite one in Seoul, but Angela and I recently visited an even better jjimjilbang in Busan called Spa Land. Having been there last year, Angela was adamant about revisiting, and I can see why. It has a huge variety of different saunas, bathing areas and other facilities, is laid out in clean, contemporary interiors of polished marble staircases and oak-pannelled walls, and it cost a mere 13 dollars each for the four hours we spent there.

Gamcheon - A Multicoloured Village in Busan

Nestled high in the cauldron-shaped hills that surround Busan is a pretty district called Gamcheon Village. Originally a shanty town built by refugees of the Korean War, it remains one of Busan's poorest neighbourhoods, but the local government has recently made steps to bring tourists and money to the area. Advertised under various exotic pseudonyms like "Santorini on the South Sea," "Korea's Machu Picchu," and "Lego Village," its vibrant buildings and array of sculptures and paintings now draw numerous tourists to the area. Angela and I explored the village ourselves during our recent trip to Busan.

Entering the village via the main road that winds through it.

There are all sorts of murals, paintings and statues on the buildings. 

A local resident looks over the touristified road.

You could spend hours exploring the alleyways of the village.

One of the things that the local government added to rejuvenate the village was this shadowy house with a black interior. It seemed completely at odds with the vibrancy of the village.

A view of Busan Tower and Yongdusan Park.

A viewing platform near the top of the village. 

A pretty view over Gamcheon, which is bathed by sunlight for most of its day due to its position.

Looks like someone forget to wear suncream that day.

Standing in front of a pretty mural.

Looking back at the viewing platform.

We found The Little Prince and his fox friend. Korea seems to love these characters; we'd recently seen them at Petite France, a French cultural village an hour outside Seoul.

A friendly dog we met.

We soon left the village and reentered a more familiar Korean streetscape.

Gamcheon is an incredibly picturesque place, and well worth your time if you're ever in Busan. You can easily get there by taking a taxi from the city (I recommend somewhere around Jagalchi or Nampo for the cheapest fares).

Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan

Back in December, I visited Noryangjin Fish Market, a famous haven for Seoul's seafood enthusiasts, and though I didn't sample any of the food on offer there, I enjoyed browsing its many aisles of fish, crabs, rays, urchins and other colourful marine creatures.
More recently, Angela and I explored Busan's premier fish market, Jagalchi Fish Market. Even larger than Noryangjin, it had a cleaner and more modern feel than that establishment, though it was still just as archaic, gruesome and - if I'm honest - entertaining to explore.

The large, warehouse-like exterior of the market.

Greeting you as you enter are some cartoonish statues of fish and other apparently cheerful sea creatures.

A vendor prepares to catch and kill an eel before selling it to a customer.

In a restaurant on the market's second floor we tried out octopus sannakji, an essential eating experience for expats living in Korea. The octopus is cut into small pieces, served immediately, and eaten raw while its bodyparts are still moving. You can't tell from the photo but the whole plate was alive with wriggling tentacles!

It may seem gross, but it actually tasted pretty good.

Views over Busan's huge port.

Jagalchi also has an outdoor market nearby.

We watched this octopus escape from its tank.

Frozen, box-packed fish bits.

Heading out towards Nampo district.

Jagalchi Fish Market is definitely worth your time if you're ever visiting Busan. While I preferred Noryangjin overall, this was still a cool place to explore, and I'm glad we ticked "eating wriggling octopus tentacles" off of our bucket list.