The Gamcheon Culture Village in the southern port city of
Busan has a number of nicknames such as Santorini of the East, Busan’s Macchu Picchu, the Favelas of
Korea, and the Lego Village. It is easy to see why. Sprawling the central-west hills of Saha-gu district, this collection of steep streets and narrow alleys, colourful buildings, and unique community vibe is not your typical Korean village.
A brief history of Gamcheon Village
Before the 1950’s, Gamcheon was a small village of around 20 houses. By 1951, the small hilltop town had expanded to accommodate over half a million residents, many of whom were refugees fleeing from the Korean war. Then the place was burgeoning with shanties made from corrugated tin and planks of wood.
Why is Gamcheon so colourful?
One day, Gamcheon’s creative residents launched a public art project and the whole village was drenched in a kaleidoscope of colours. At first, the reception to the village’s bold new look was mixed. Some loved it straight from the get go. Other residents felt self-conscious about what little they had to show off, but soon saw the positives of meeting the curious
tourists who wanted to see the village for themselves.
Gamcheon now stands as a hopeful testament to the beauty that comes from diversity. Had the original villagers not welcomed hundreds of thousands of war-torn refugees, the village would look very different to the labyrinthine maze of colours it is today.
What to see and do there
Look at another side of Busan’s local life when visiting Gamcheon. Wear your most comfortable walking shoes and get lost as you explore its alleys, corners, and streets.
If you are weary of getting lost, just “follow the fish”, a fish-shaped route marker for visitors to follow, leading them to major attractions within Gamcheon. As a village revived by art, street arts are found everywhere. Gamcheon is one Instagram-worthy place in Busan. From iconic murals and sculptures like the Little Prince and the Desert Fox, you can be unique from other social media images taken from Gamcheon.
There are buildings that you can check out like the former hot spring, turned library. It has some quirky statues and sculptures. Don’t skip the Little Museum that will give you a clear glimpse of how the village was transformed. You can also see everyday things that residents use.
With its topography, it can be a good workout as you walk uphill but try going to the observation deck. Here, you will get a panoramic view of the whole village with sea views. Waiting for you are the Little Prince and Desert Fox for the iconic shot from Gamcheon Culture Village.
Together with the various street art, dainty cafes and shops make Gamcheon Culture Village hip and interesting. Drop by to buy souvenirs or for some drinks and bites. Check out street food for some fuel-up after your walk around the village.
Read more:
Visit Busan, the biggest coastal city in Korea
How to get there
To access the village via public transportation, take the subway to Toseong Station. From exit six, walk straight and turn right. You will see a small bus station board in front of the Pusan National University Hospital building (Block C, Cancer Centre, aka the PNU Cancer Centre). Hop on the market village bus route to Gamcheon Culture Village. An
English announcement will let you know when you have arrived.
Source Culture Trip
