Busan is good

Reset and recharge at the 2026 Busan Healing Festa

source: visitbusanThe 2026 Busan Healing Festa will take place at Beomeosa Temple and the surrounding area from Oct. 23 to 25, taking advantage of the temple’s peaceful setting amid the wooded slopes of Geumjeongsan Mountain. The festival offers a variety of wellness activities, inviting visitors to relax, recharge and reconnect with nature in the crisp autumn air. All programs require pre-registration, with bookings opening gradually on the festival’s official website. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so anyone interested in joining is encouraged to sign up for booking alerts through the Google Form linked below. The festival’s official Instagram account will also share updates on upcoming reservation openings. Highlights include Temple Yoga, Sound Meditation, Temple Meditation, Forest Trail Running and Forest Strolling. Depending on their interests, visitors can slow down with a mindful handwriting and traditional tea ceremony program, or join a guided evening walk through the temple grounds under the moonlight. For those looking for something more active, open-air yoga and barre sessions are available.For program schedules, reservations and further details, visit the official website or Instagram page at the links below.※ 2026 Busan Healing Festa at Beomesa Temple, Oct. 23-25◎ Beomesa Temple: 250, Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu◎ Google Maps: Click ◎ Website: Click ◎ Instagram: @busanhealingfesta◎ Get notified when program bookings open (Google Form): Click <Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>recharge: 재충전하다 gradually: 점진적으로 alert: 알림 meditation: 명상 Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy

Dongnae Hot Spring District Named Korea’s Fourth Hot Spring Town

□ On October 1, 2026, the Dongnae Hot Spring District in Dongnae-gu was recognized as the country’s fourth “Hot Spring Town” by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.○ The first three areas to become Hot Spring Towns in 2023 were Suanbo Hot Springs in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do; Onyang Hot Springs in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do; and Bugok Hot Springs in Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Dongnae Hot Springs is the sole addition in the second phase of the project.○ The ministry reviewed the application documents, conducted field inspections and expert evaluations, in addition to considering available resources, accessibility, future prospects, and proposed strategies before making its final decision.○ Pursuant to the Hot Spring Act, the Minister of the Interior and Safety grants Hot Spring Town status following a holistic assessment of water quality, efforts to promote the hot spring industry and tourism, and economic benefits to the community.□ With a heritage dating back to 1,400 years to the Three Kingdoms period, Dongnae Hot Springs is known for its high-temperature, silica-rich spring water, which reaches up to 70.3°C. The Dongnae Hot Spring District is a signature hot spring hub in the heart of the city.○ The district is conveniently connected by Busan Metro Lines 1, 3, and 4, as well as the Donghae Nambu Line. With well-established hot spring facilities and supporting infrastructure, it welcomes two million visitors annually.○ It is also close to natural and historical landmarks such as Geumjeongsan National Park and Dongnaeeupseong Fortress. By linking hot spring visits with nearby points of interest, the Dongnae Hot Spring District is anticipated to encourage extended stays.□ As a next step, Busan seeks to position Dongnae as an urban hot spring tourism destination that goes beyond traditional bathing to combine wellness, relaxation, hands-on programs, and sightseeing.○ The Hot Spring Clinic will specialize in aquatic therapy; the Hot Spri

Visit Busan Mate Debuts

□ A kick-off ceremony for Visit Busan Mate, a tourism concierge team comprising foreign residents and international students in Busan, was held at the Busan Global City Foundation at 10:30 on October 6, 2026.○ Visit Busan Mate is an initiative in which local ambassadors with an understanding of and appreciation for Busan meet overseas tourists face-to-face and deliver relevant information and assistance.□ Visit Busan Mate is operating on a two-month trial basis from October to November.○ At Busan KTX Train Station, 14 participants from 10 countries share tips on major attractions, transportation, and amenities and guide visitors through any difficulties that may arise during a trip, drawing on their native-language skills, cross-cultural perspectives, and personal insights into life in Busan.□ The initiative is valuable because it enables foreign nationals, as local community members, to contribute directly to enhancing the overall travel experience in Busan.□ The city will examine the pilot’s performance, service satisfaction, and opportunities for improvement. The findings of the trial program will inform next year’s plans and pave the way for the gradual expansion of Visit Busan Mate.