Gamcheon Culture Village, Exploring Busan’s Colorful Village
Located in the South Korean city of Busan 🇰🇷, is a rather unique place to visit known as Gamcheon Culture Village. This village is terraced alongside a mountain. Gamcheon Culture Village is known as the “Santorini of Korea” or Busan’s “Machu Picchu“. What started off as a refuge area for people escaping war and a former slum is now considered to be one of Busan’s most popular tourist attractions. With it’s colorfully vibrant homes, fun cafés, narrow alley ways, and unique art work, Gamcheon Culture Village is a must when visiting Busan.
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The true history of Gamcheon Culture Village is up for debate. There is an information sign at the village stating that Gamcheon Village started off as a refuge for citizens that were affected during the Korean War.
While doing online research, I read through several sources stating that Gamcheon Culture Village was the result of Taegeukdo, which is a religious community.
After the Korean War, about 800 families moved to the hillside village. Many of the homes are multi level, but the good hearted people living in the community terraced the homes on purpose. That way, no ones views would be blocked by the home in front.
Instead of letting Gamcheon Village crumble and turn to despair, it was decided to turn this town around and make it more appealing to tourists. In 2009, artists and students added their artistic touches to the village in order to brighten up the village and make it more welcoming to both locals and visitors. Many homes were painted vibrant colors, alleyways were decorated with art work, and cafés, restaurants, and shops, began to open. Gamcheon Culture Village was reborn as one of Busan’s most popular attractions thanks to the hard working and determined community.
Getting to Busan's Most Colorful Village
Getting to Gamcheon Culture Village is relatively easy, especially if staying in Busan. Jagalchi Station of Toseong Station are the closest stations🚉.
If you are in South Korea as a visitor I recommend downloading the Naver Map App 🗺. Since Google Maps does not work in South Korea the Naver Map app worked well and it was easy to navigate the subway stations and directions around Busan
From Busan Station head to Toseong Station. Exit 6 is the recommended exit to depart the station toward Gamcheon Culture Village. There are signs as well pointing you in the right direction↔️.
After exiting Toseong Station there are a few ways to reach Busan’s famous colorful village. I opted to walk to Gamcheon Culture Village🚶♂️. If planning on walking, be warned, you will walk a lot and it’s all up hill from the station. But you can find yourself going through fun alleyways and narrow residential areas before even getting to the village, it’s an adventure.
There is a bus 🚍that goes directly to the entrance of Gamcheon Culture Village. There is a bus stop outside the station, make sure to take the 1-1, 2, or 2-2 mini bus.
Another option is to take a taxi to Gamcheon Culture Village. The cabs in Busan are easy and inexpensive.
Exploring Gamcheon Culture Village
Most visitors will start their adventure of Gamcheon Culture Village at the same place. At the top of the hill, there is a main and fairly wide road lined with tourist shops and cute cafés. I highly recommend popping into some of the shops here, visit the small museum, and go to the tourist information center. If you are wondering what there is to do in Gamcheon Culture Village, here are my recommendations on how to explore this beautiful village.
Do Some Souvenir Shopping
Plain and simple, Gamcheon Culture Village is a touristy area. This part of Busan can be crowded, a bit tacky, but it’s supposed to be this way. Who doesn’t love a good souvenir shop? There are plenty here to browse. You have everything from places selling local art to cheap socks. I am a simple man, I like a good postcard. Traditional souvenirs can also be like postcards, key chains, and shirts can also be found here.
Get Lost! Explore the Alley Ways and Residential Areas
If you get to Gamcheon Culture Village and are wondering what to do? My recommendation is to wander around the neighborhood and explore. Take the narrow pathways in between structures, go up the steep trail for the views, and find unique art works that are a bit off the beaten path. Simply by getting off of the main path, you can find yourself at places like the Book Staircase and Stairs to See Stars. Another bonus of ditching the crowds and wandering on your own is that you can take pictures without anyone getting in the way!
Grab a Drink, Sit on a Rooftop for the Best Views
To get that iconic shot of Gamcheon Culture Village, you have to get somewhere high up with no obstructions. Many of the cafés ae two storied with an outside deck, perfect! I found the perfect café that offered refreshing drinks and amazing views. Wooin Cafe made delicious coffee and smoothies. On a hot day, it doesn’t get better then relaxing with a mango smoothy.
Take in Some of the Unique Art
Besides the splash of colorful houses surrounding the mountainside, I think the art work placed around Gamcheon Village is another popular feature. It’s basically an outdoor art museum as there is modern art scattered throughout the village.
Walk Up or Down the Stairs to See Stars
The Stairs to See Stars is a staircase in the middle of the village. There are a total of 148 stairs. The name derives from people walking up all 148 stairs, feeling dizzy and seeing stars once they got to the top! I’d lie if I didn’t say this staircase wasn’t steep. But the photos along the Stairs to See Stars are worth the stair climb.
Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸
Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇰🇷
Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖
For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com
Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁
Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.
In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘
I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
2 Comments
Alisha
It was a lovely read:)
zimminaround
Thank you so much! Such a beautiful area in Busan.