Themed Tour | Recommended Tour

Wow, these are modern structures found in Busan

Time travel to 100 years in the past

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The modern era from the Korean Empire days to the Japanese occupation period holds the painful history of our people. Ironically, though, various structures built during that era as well as their history, culture and time provide us with fresh perspectives. If we were to define modern structures in a phrase, it would be the great traces left by the times. There are many of such modern structures still remaining in Busan. Let's time travel together with the modern structures you can meet in the city.

Dong-gu, Busan: Busanjin Ilsin Girls’ School (Busanjin Church), Former Baekje Hospital

Designated as Busan Metropolitan City Monument No. 55, Busanjin Ilsin Girls’ School is a modern building constructed by an Australian missionary in 1905. It is one of the better preserved modern structures that still maintain its original shape despite the passage of 100 years. Built with the beauty of proportionality and balance, Busanjin Ilsin Girls’ School now serves as a memorial hall that exhibits materials on modern Christianity and female students who received new education in the modern era.

Across from Busanjin Ilsin Girls’ School stands Busanjin Church, also built by an Australian missionary in 1891. The first demonstration movement in the Busan area was started in 1919 by the students of Busanjin Ilsin Girls’ School and Christians of Busanjin Church. We hope that you think about the preciousness of our daily lives in this place where you can feel and remember the joy of independence.

The former Baekje Hospital, the first-ever modern private general hospital built in 1922, was a rare four-story modern structure in the days when most buildings were either single-story or two-story at most. Its antique arch entrance grabs people's attention. The former Baekje Hospital building has a long history of changes from a general hospital and a Chinese restaurant to a dormitory for military officers and, also, the Busan Public Safety Headquarters after the Liberation.

Jung-gu, Busan: Hansung 1918, Busan Meteorological Observatory

Hansung 1918 was built in 1918 by a Japanese architect. Originally, it was the Busan Branch of Hansung Bank but, after overcoming several changes and crises for potential demolition, it has become a complex cultural space that still retains it old appearance. Having reinforced its structure and carried out remodeling, it is a modern structure in which the past and the present coexist. It shows the typical Japanese architectural style featuring a hipped roof, granite string courses and red bricks.

As you climb up Bokbyeongsan Mountain in Jung-gu, Busan, you will find a building that stands at the tallest point of the mountain. This modern structure that resembles Hansung 1918 is the Busan Meteorological Observatory. Built in 1934, its pear shape, which symbolizes Busan, and forsythia-colored bricks are impressive. Because it has never been used as anything other than a weather-observing station, it was selected as one of the Centennial Observing Stations by the World Meteorological Organization.

The main feature of the observatory is its windows. These vertical, hinged windows do not open sideways but, rather, upward. The view of downtown Busan seen through the large windows is another element to definitely check out.

Seo-gu, Busan: Provisional Capital Memorial Hall, Seokdang Museum

Provisional Capital Memorial Hall, which is a two-story house, was initially built in 1926 as the official residence of the governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, and is also where the first Korean president, Rhee Syngman, temporarily stayed during the Korean War when Busan was the nation's provisional capital. It is surrounded by a petite garden and boasts a quiet and cozy vibe.

After going through full-scale remodeling in 2012, it reopened as a new exhibit hall featuring two ground floors and one underground floor. The Provisional Capital Memorial Hall exhibits a variety of materials that display the lives of refugees during the war, the period of the provisional capital, Busan's politics, economy and culture.

The red brick building that notably stands out amongst modern structures is Seokdang Museum, which is an affiliate museum of Dong-a University. Designated as Busan Metropolitan City Registered Cultural Heritage No. 41, the museum was constructed during the Japanese occupation era and used as the Busan Provisional Government Office during the Korean War.

It has a unique gable roof that seems as if books are piled on top of it and, overall, the building exudes a dignified impression. The museum holds a countless number of national treasures and valuable properties including the "autograph of late An Jung-geun.” Be reminded of Busan in the modern era while looking at and walking through the modern structures that still tell the stories of political and social changes of Korean modern history.

Overview

Address
Busanjin Ilsin Girls’ School 17, Jeonggongdan-ro 17beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan
Former Baekje Hospital 16, Jungang-daero 209beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan
Hansung 1918 13, Baeksan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
Busan Meteorological Observatory 5-11, Bokbyeongsan-gil 32beon-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
Provisional Capital Memorial Hall 45, Imsisudoginyeom-ro, Seo-gu, Busan
Seokdang Museum 225, Gudeok-ro, Seo-gu, Busan
Closing Dates
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Hours
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Service Fees
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Traffic Information
Busanjin Ilsin Girls’ School
Exit 3, Jwacheon Station, Subway Line 1 → 4-minute walk
Parking: General An Yong-bok Memorial Busanpo Opening Cultural Center Parking Lot

Former Baekje Hospital
Exit 7, Busan Station, Subway Line 1 → 5-minute walk

Hansung 1918
Exit 1, Jungang Station, Subway Line 1 → 3-minute walk

Busan Meteorological Observatory
Exit 7, Jungang Station, Subway Line 1 → 9-minute walk

Provisional Capital Memorial Hall
Exit 1, Toseong Station, Subway Line 1 → 7-minute walk
Parking: Provisional Capital Memorial Hall Parking Lot

Seokdang Museum
Exit 2, Toseong Station, Subway Line 1 → 5-minute walk
Parking: Dong-a University Bumin-dong Campus Underground Parking Lot