Category: Busan

The newly opened Avani Central Busan Hotel in South Korea’s second-largest city is taking guests down the road less travelled with the launch of a digital Insider Guide. Part of the #AvaniMe Resident programme, the guide was curated by Busan’s culture makers, trendsetters and creatives and is a manifestation of their love for their home town and its features. Busan is one of Asia’s most popular up-and-coming destinations thanks to a happy marriage of beach and urban attractions, therapeutic hot springs and seafood restaurants galore. But dig deeper, and there is more to this port town than meets the eye.

Avani Central Busan Hotel – Join The Discovery

Aspiring to show the hidden side of their city, the curators of the Insider Guide invite Avani guests to sidestep the established sights and zoom in on the cultural, artistic and culinary gems that Busan visitors rarely see on their whirlwind tours. From photogenic backstreet alleys and humble community eateries to trendy cafés with a penchant for nostalgia, the guide offers a deep dive into the local life.

At Suan Coffee, a specialty coffee brand with its roots in Busan, guests can sample local roasts as well as stocking up on the accoutrements of cold brewing. Another fixture of the local coffee scene is WERK, part of Jeonpo Café Street group roasting a wide variety of beans from around the region and baking what many consider to be the best macadamia cookie in Busan. If pressed for time, guests can have their craft coffee fix at the excellent Longpasse café located next door to Avani.

Perched on a high cliff in Yeongseon-dong town, Huinnyeoul Culture Village is a jumble of narrow winding streets and whitewashed houses with unobstructed vistas of the sea all around. Often referred to as ‘Korea’s Santorini’, the charming community was featured in the award-winning movie ‘The Attorney’.

For even more scenic views, stop at Choryang 845 serving home-style dishes in a beautiful hillside location overlooking the Busan Harbour Bridge.

With a rich programme of exhibitions putting a spotlight on challenging artworks in a wide array of genres, Busan Museum of Art’s five floors showcases the breadth of local and regional artistic talent, while a stroll around the sculpture garden reveals some interesting pieces.

Busan’s entrepôt credentials rival those of regional heavyweights like Hong Kong and its seafood offerings are legendary. A household name across the country, Bon Tuna Restaurant is a magnet for out-of-towners flocking here for the famous tuna sashimi and sushi.

At B.4291, a newly-constructed cultural hub in Jagalchi Market, the converted houses that once hosted seafood auctions offer a glimpse into local ways of life. A symbol of Busan, Jagalchi Market is a bustling fishing hub, its food stalls serving fresh inshore hagfish grilled on briquette fires along with other exotic-sounding sea creatures and sashimi at market prices.

Guests staying at Avani Central Busan Hotel will enjoy full access, as well as regular updates to the Insider Guide courtesy of the hotel’s concierge team who are on hand to offer itinerary building advice. Reservations at Avani Central Busan Hotel can be made by visiting www.avanihotels.com.

Avani Central Busan Hotel – Get To Know The Hotel

Avani Central Busan Hotel offers convenient access to the city’s hotspots from the heart of Busan’s financial centre. Adjacent to the Munhyeon Finance Complex and the Dream Theatre, one of the largest musical theatres in Korea, the hotel is only a 15-minute drive from the popular Haeundae Beach and Busan Exhibition & Convention Centre, where Busan International Film Festival is hosted each year.

You can choose from seven room types, ranging from studio-style accommodations to one-bedroom suites with separate living areas. You and your loved ones get to enjoy convenient access to popular local attractions within a walking distance, while an extensive public transport network combining subway, train and bus routes brings the outlying part of the city within reach.

Visiting South Korea soon? Other than checking out its Capital, we recommend a stopover at Busan too. This second-most-populous city in South Korea is also host to one of Asia’s most important film festivals and a key transfer port. Busan makes the ideal destination for folks who seek an adventurous getaway or a cultural escape. From the famed Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Square – where the world-famous festival is held each October – to historical temples, quaint villages, seafood markets, and stylish retail districts, you have more than one reason to make a stop here.

1. Visit Busan – Beauty and the Beach

The city’s sprawling beaches make Busan a popular destination for sun lovers. Laid back, yet still bustling, Haeundae Beach is one of Korea’s most beautiful beaches featuring natural untouched wonders. For foodies, Haeundae also offers a variety of local delicacies, from restaurants specialising in king crab and cold noodles, to street vendors peddling fish sticks and steamed dumplings.

With sweeping views of the ocean, Shilla Stay Haeundae is located just a two-minute walk away from the picturesque Haeundae Beach. The property features a relaxed, residential-style design with clean lines and soft hues that showcase the surrounding coastal region. Six room types are available, including the Ondol Suite which recreates an authentic Korean underfloor heating system for guests looking to experience a traditional Korean home.

2. Visit Busan – Cuisine Scene

Given its location, Busan offers an abundance of fresh seafood. For the best finds, you must visit the Jagalchi Market, often likened to Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Market, where varieties of live and dried seafood are prepared in different ways.

For a distinctive dining experience, Shilla Stay Haeundae’s Café serves a wide selection of fresh seafood as part of its daily buffet available throughout the day. Guests can also lounge and soak up the sun in the hotel’s rooftop pool, which overlooks the panoramic beachfront while enjoying refreshing drinks and snacks from the poolside bar.

3. Visit Busan – Village People

The second most populous city after Seoul, Busan has its share of cultural attractions that capture the old-world charm of Korea’s rich heritage. Gamcheon Cultural Village consists of hundreds of tiny, colourful houses, shops and buildings dotted throughout a maze of small, winding streets. Built on surrounding hills with views overlooking the sea, the Village rises above the city and is known as the “Santorini of Korea”. The Village’s hand-drawn murals and sculptures create a living art installation and a picture-perfect hotspot for you and your loved ones.

4. Visit Busan – Culture Trip

Another scenic landmark, the Haedong Yonggung Temple is a breathtaking temple perched atop a rocky hill overlooking the East Sea. Dating back to the 13^th century and built by a legendary Buddhist teacher, the temple is nestled between the sea and mountains and boasts a beautiful three-storey pagoda that represents tranquil harmony.

For panoramic views of the city, Busan’s newest attraction, the Busan Air Cruise, offers a magnificent 1.6-kilometre journey above the sea in glass-enclosed cable cars.

5. Visit Busan – Bargain and Barter

Korea is renowned for its shopping – endless malls selling clothes, makeup, and accessories – and Busan is no exception. The lavish Shinsegae Centum City is listed in the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest department store, housing countless brands as well as entertainment options, including an indoor golf range and spa.

A vibrant and energetic city, Busan offers a unique insight into Korean culture. You will definitely embrace the convivial atmosphere, lively beach scene, and a variety of little-known attractions waiting to be discovered.

Visit Busan – Welcome To Korea Package

For a seamless getaway, a “Welcome to Korea” package is available at Shilla Stay Haeundae, which includes a Busan City Tour Bus Ticket (one-day pass), complimentary breakfast*, and exclusive Shilla Stay teddy bear gift. Room rates start at KRW 114,000** per night, based on two persons sharing a room. More information is available at www.shillastay.com.

*Terms and conditions apply | **Excludes taxes and service charge.