ANANTI AT BUSAN COVE, a resort within the OSIRIA Tourist Complex in Gijang 

(Courtesy of ANANTI AT BUSAN COVE)

Busan is the second largest city in Korea and has a thriving tourism industry. Haeundae Beach and Gwangalli Beach are two of the city’s most prominent tourist destinations. Their sandy beaches have long attracted a steady stream of travelers with their colorful night views and bustling restaurants and shops nearby.

However, in recent years, Gijang-gun County (hereinafter Gijang) has emerged as a rival tourist draw.

With the opening of new hotels and Lotte World Adventure Busan, a huge leisure complex has been created in Gijang – the OSIRIA Tourist Complex. OSIRIA Station on the Donghae Line makes it easily accessible as well. Many new hotels and resorts such as ANANTI AT BUSAN COVE, BANYAN TREE HAEUNDAE BUSAN are already or will be in operation next year, along with shopping facilities such as IKEA and LOTTE Premium Outlets. There is also the Skyline Luge, where you can enjoy a thrilling ride overlooking the sea. In recent years, unique cafes have been opening along the coastal path from Ilgwang Beach to the coastal area of Dongbusan, and many people visit Gijang for cafe tours. Gijang OSIRIA is a place where you can eat, shop and enjoy just about everything. Busan is now filled with people who came to enjoy Gijang’s charm.

The winding track of the Skyline Luge twists and turns upon itself to make the ocean-view

ride even more exhilarating. (Courtesy of Skyline Luge Busan)

People walk along the coastal promenade inside the OSIRIA Tourist Complex.

(Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

Gijang’s rise to “Insta” fame started with ANANTI AT BUSAN COVE. There you can find Eternal Journey, a bookstore with an eclectic collection, and shops selling fashion and life-related accessories. When you enter Ananti Town inside ANANTI AT BUSAN COVE, it feels like an urban alleyway because of the interconnected single-story buildings. Lifestyle shops, each with their own specialty, abound.

Bookstore Eternal Journey is a unique place to discover your own tastes, sensibilities and lifestyle.

(Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

Eternal Journey is somewhat different from other bookstores. There are no bestsellers. The books are organized into 55 themes that include “People,” “The Sea,” “The Environment” and “Workshops.” The way the books are displayed is also unique: The covers are visible instead of the spines. You can walk through the shelves, admire the covers and pick out a book that grabs you.

Stretching out in front of Ananti Town is the OSIRIA Costal Walk. As you stroll slowly along the boardwalk, you’ll come to feel calm and relaxed deep within.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is the most coastal temple in Korea. The view of the ocean from inside is one-of-a-kind. (Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

If you’re in Gijang, you can’t miss Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. This Buddhist temple sits on the crashing waves of the sea and boasts a striking mountain-ocean combination. The temple’s harmony with both is exquisite. As such, it is not only one of the most beautiful temples in Korea but also one of the most popular. Another reason people keep coming back is because Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is known as the “Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Holy Temple.” The spirit of Avalokitesvara is said to not only reside within the temple but also grant any wishes made there.

To get to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, you must walk down 108 steps and pass statues of the twelve animals of the Asian zodiac. Once you arrive and find the temple nestled comfortably in a rugged shoreline, you will quickly see why it is so admired.

Gijang Market is one of Busan’s most prominent traditional markets. (Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

Gijang Market has it all. Fresh catch straight from the sea and other healthy produce fill the market stalls. Gijang’s specialties are anchovies and conger sea eels. They are commonly caught just off the coast here. Therefore the most famous dishes are myeolchihoe (sliced raw anchovies seasoned with various spices) and gomjangeogui (Grilled Sea Eel). If you have them in spring when they are in peak season, the flavors are even more delicious.

It may still be a bit chilly in Seoul and other parts of Korea, but spring arrives a little earlier in Busan. Escaping winter is another great reason to visit Gijang now.