Silversea Luxury Cruises À BUSAN

Discover Beomeosa Temple and the picturesque Haeundae beach, with the renowned Nurimaru APEC House on this half-day adventure outside of Busan.

Depart the pier for the 50-minute journey from the port area to Beomeosa Temple, one of the largest and best known temples in the forest outside of Busan City.

Beomeosa Temple

Located at the edge of Mt. Geumjeongsan, Beomeosa Temple was constructed by monk Ui Sang in the year of 678. Renovated in 1713, the temple is one of the most delicate and luxurious architectures of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Features include Iljumun, the three-storey pagoda with four pillars, built in the 9th century, and seven royal palace wings, pavilions, three gates, and eleven hermitages. Designated as a natural monument, beautiful wisteria woods and valleys surround the temple.

Nurimaru APEC House

The name Nurimaru APEC House was created by combining the Korean words nuri, meaning 'world' and maru or 'summit' with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference hall. Located on Dongbaekseom Island, which is noted for its beautiful, natural landscape accented by dense camellia and pine trees, this three-storey building is a modernistic expression of jeongja, a pavilion in traditional Korean architectural style, with a visual display of Korea's creative traditional culture inside.

Haeundae Beach

View the famous beach named by scholar Choi Chi-Won in 857. It is likely the most famous beach in Korea. Spanning an area of over 14 acres (58,400 square metres), the beach is known for its white sand that originates from the Chuncheon Stream. Its Folk Square features traditional games such as neoldduigi (seesaw jumping), Korean wrestling, tuho (arrow throwing), tug-of-war and yutnori. The beach also includes the Beach Culture Centre and the Beach Library, and hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year.

Afterwards, re-board the coach and make your way back to the pier.

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount of walking of approximately 1.25 miles (2 km); guests must climb in excess of 100 steps at the temple. Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. The order of sights may vary.

Experience a more in-depth look at Busan's surrounds on this full-day exploration of the UNESCO site of Gyeongju, with a visit to the Bulguksa Temple and the taste of a Korean-style buffet lunch.

Gyeongju

Leaving the pier, drive through the city and countryside for approximately 90 minutes towards Gyeongju. Located on the eastern coast where the morning sunlight first touches the Orient, Gyeongju was once the capital of the Shilla Kingdom and centre of Korea when Shilla unified the peninsula in 676 A.D. It was designated by UNESCO as one of the world's ten most historically significant sites and is known as the 'museum without walls'.

Tumuli Park

Arrive at Tumuli Park, a collection of royal Shilla tombs located in the middle of Gyeongju. The park contains 20 tombs, of which Chonmachong (Flying Horse Tomb) is the most famous. Its name comes from the picture of a flying horse found painted on white birch bark when the tomb was excavated in 1974, and the tomb yielded more than 10,000.

Gyeongju National Museum

Gyeongju National Museum, a place of compelling interest, preserves much of the Shilla heritage including magnificent gold crowns, pottery, Buddhist artefacts, and stone sculptures. The museum also houses the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok the Great, also referred to as the legendary Emuille Bell, one of Asia's largest and most resonant bells, 19 tons of bronze standing 11 feet (3.4 metres) high. Afterwards, the coach takes you to a local hotel for a buffet lunch offering Korean and Western-style cuisine. Relaxed and refreshed, continue with a visit to Bulguksa Temple.

Bulguksa Temple

One of Korea's best well-known temples on the western slope of Mt. Tohamsan, Bulguksa Temple is a monument to both the skill of the Shilla architects and the depth of Buddhist faith at the time. While most of the wooden buildings have been rebuilt over the centuries, all the stone bridges, stairways and pagodas are original. In 1995, Bulguksa Temple was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Re-board your coach one last time for the 90-minute journey back to Busan and the awaiting ship.

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount of walking and standing to explore the sites in their entirety. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Due to the premium charged for alcohol in this port, tea and soft drinks only are included. The order of sites may vary.

Become acquainted with some of the basic sights and sounds familiar to the city of Busan on this half-day orientation.

Depart the pier by coach for the 30-minute drive into Busan. The city highlights seen or visited include the following:

The Busan Museum

The Busan Museum, offers seven regular exhibition rooms spread over three floors in addition to the Kiln Exhibition Hall, and the Outdoor Exhibition Hall. Opened in 1978, the museum has taken on a leading role in preserving traditional culture in Busan by obtaining a wealth of relics from strong excavation efforts, generous donations and purchases, and by meticulous research.

The museum was remodeled in 2002 along with the opening of Exhibition Hall 2. The wide array of relics ranges from the Prehistoric Age to the modern period. The Outdoor Exhibition Hall is home to precious pagodas, Buddhist statues, and monuments. There are over 6,000 items from excavations in Busan and the Gyeongnam area in addition to items that have been purchased, donated, and collected. Those relics reveal the important historical and cultural heritage of Busan.

Jagalchi Fish Market

Experience the local atmosphere at the harbour-side fish market, which stretches into downtown. As a seaport, the Busan fish market offers a variety of fresh seafood, including a large shellfish section in the middle of the market. Boats unload their catches very early each morning, and sell them on the spot. By the time you arrive, mountains of fresh seafood will be attractively arranged on ice. The sea air and fresh fish mingle with the resonant voices of the market folk to create an unforgettable experience.

Gukje Market (International Market)

Busan's largest and most central market area, Gukje Market was formed by merchants descended from refugees of the Korean War. The alleyways are divided into six market districts dealing in a wide variety of goods such as silk, linen, clothing, bags, glasses, and curtains. After exploring with your guide, some free time is afforded, allowing you to browse.

Following this overview, re-board your coach for the 20-minute drive back to the pier

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount of walking of approximately 1.25 miles (2 km), some of which may be over uneven surfaces. It is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and those who utilise a wheelchair. Closed-toe shoes are recommended as there is a lot of walking through water at the local market. The order of sights may vary.

Discover the secrets of preparing a traditional Korean meal during this informative, half-day culinary excursion.

Busan City

Depart the pier for a scenic, approximately 40-minute orientation drive through downtown Busan and bustling Seomyeon Street, which is renowned for its abundant shopping venues. Afterward, proceed to the Cooking Institute.

Cooking Institute

Upon arrival at the Cooking Institute, begin your interactive cooking lesson. Learn to prepare bulgogi, a Korean barbecue dish that typically consists of grilled marinated beef, or bibimbab, a signature Korean dish consisting of warm white rice topped with namul (sautéed and seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chili pepper paste), and soy sauce or doenjang, a salty soybean paste. A raw or fried egg and sliced meat (usually beef) are common additions. Following your cooking lesson, dine on the meal you helped to prepare.

Lotte Department Store

Next, re-board your coach and proceed to the Lotte Department Store. Some free time is made available here for shopping before re-boarding your coach and commencing the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 547 yards (about 500 metres), with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Explore Busan at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area’s highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Guide is English-speaking. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this programme. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore Busan at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area’s highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Guide is English-speaking. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this programme. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore Busan at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area’s highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Guide is English-speaking. Participation is limited to up to 3-4 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this programme. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore Busan at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area’s highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Guide is English-speaking. Participation is limited to up to 3-4 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this programme. Please see the Shore Concierge on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Experience the coastal beauty of Busan and one of its most beautiful Buddhist temples during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Busan City and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive through Busan City en route to the magnificent Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, one of the visited and revered Buddhist temples in Busan. Founded in 1376 and restored in 1970, this Buddhist Temple is located atop a huge rock emerging from the ocean. This spectacular site houses a number of temples along the shoreline, along with dozens of statues and sculptures. The sound of the East Sea ocean waves and melody of sutra chanting from the temple create a magical effect, and further enhance the appeal of this stunning architectural marvel.

Oryukdo Skywalk

Next, re-board your coach and drive along Haeundae Beach to the Oryukdo Skywalk. Opened in 2013, the skywalk is located in the Seungdumal area, which is regarded as the dividing point between the East Sea and the South Sea. This incredible iron-and-glass structure is perched above a 115-foot (35-metre) high coastal cliff, and its transparent floor and walls offer stunning panoramic vistas of the coast, sea and distant Daemado Island on clear days. Following your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 50-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.6 miles (about one kilometre), with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 100 steps at the temple. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. The tour sequence may vary.

Our Simply Hotel selection is the perfect choice for those who want a centrally located setting from which to discover - or rediscover - the city. Rooms in these 4.5 and 5-star properties are generally Standard Double or King rooms that provide comfortable accommodations and superior service for those who wish to extend their trip with a cultural or shopping experience in some of the world's most iconic cities.

For your convenience, we can easily organise transfers between the airport and hotel or between the hotel and the pier so that you only have to decide how much or how little you wish to do.

Hotel brands that we consistently feature include Intercontinental, JW Marriott, Fairmont or the Conrad Group.

The Westin Chosun Busan

The Westin Chosun Busan is marked the first opening of a first class International hotel in Busan. The 5-star hotel has been nominated several times as the "Best Hotel in Busan" and was recipient of the "Top Hotel Management Award." Located off of Haeundae, the hotel has had additional construction to create banquet centers, food and beverage facilities and saunas in order to become Busan's top hotel.