Busan was named the top destination on global travel authority Lonely Planet’s “2018 Best in Asia list” – an agenda-setting collection of the continent’s 10 best destinations to visit in the year ahead.

Released today, Lonely Planet’s in-house Asia experts have named “eclectic” and “vibrant” Busan, as the number one destination; while the jeweled architecture and ancient cities of Uzbekistan are in second place; and in third comes Ho Chi Minh City, “a supercity that somehow keeps getting cooler”.

Lonely Planet referred to Busan as:

“A stunning confluence of scenery, culture and cuisine…Busan packs an eclectic offering of activities to suit all travelers: hike hills to Buddhist temples, settle into sizzling hot springs and feast on seafood…at the country’s largest fish market. Poised to steal the spotlight, Busan is East Asia’s Culture City for 2018 and will be at its most vibrant with…colorful events showcasing the country’s cultural heritage, from street art festivals to traditional dance shows.” — Lonely Planet

“Asia is such a vast and diverse continent for anyone dreaming of an escape,” Lonely Planet’s Asia-Pacific Media Spokesperson Chris Zeiher says. “Our experts have combed through thousands of recommendations to pick the best destinations to visit over the next 12 months.”

“From Nagasaki in Japan, to Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka,” Zeiher says, “this is a line-up to inspire a multitude of travellers – whether they’re based in Asia, or maybe they’ve already visited some of the region’s heavy-hitting destinations.”

Lonely Planet’s Best in Asia 2018, the third in its series, is available online at lonelyplanet.com/best-in-asia.