If you’ve done a bit of research and read up on Korea guide books, all of them will point you to Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan. You may wonder, what exactly is so special about this place that everyone who visits Busan will drop by?
In Korea, building your houses on a steep mountain-side slope is associated with those who cannot afford better apartments in the city area. This concept is similar to that of Jaman Mural Village in Jeonju.
Ironically, this has become one of the most popular tourist attractions that people willingly come to climb the steep slopes for.
You are prone to getting lost in all the alleys, but that’s the beauty of it.
Don’t be afraid or worried if you keep walking into alley after alley!
You’ll find that residents still live here, although it’s said that almost 300 houses have been vacated because the residents didn’t like the hordes of tourists. So make sure you keep your noise level to the minimum!
On the days I visited, the tourist numbers were quite decent, nothing like a rowdy crowd. But I guess you do get irritated after a while if people keep turning up outside your door to take photos.
You’ll also find that some other ‘houses’ have been converted into businesses. These include cafes, art houses, shops, and restaurants.
We didn’t stay here for super long, I think the maximum was probably 2 hours. We didn’t didn’t stop at the cafes or restaurants and I can’t advise on F&B options here.
I did, however, love a quaint tea shop at the foothill/entrance that sold flower tea. The ahjumma running it is very friendly, and her tea smells super fragrant as well!
Is Busan Gamcheon Culture Village worth visiting?
After two trips here, I figured what’s truly unique about this place that keeps people coming is maybe not so much the historical value. It’s also not so much for the gram. Sure, you have the history and the picturesque view. But you can probably find that anywhere else in any other part of Korea as well.
I think, there’s something very special and touching about the effort put by these Korean war refugees into making life a little brighter after the hardships of the war.
I also salute the effort put into revitalising what would have been another symbol of poverty in Korea. You could call it airbrushing if you want. However, I still admire the willpower to fight a bad hand dealt by fate.
Hence I say, go to Gamcheon Culture Village to pick up a little bit of this hope left behind. Maybe it will help improve your outlook on life after you go back. Who knows?
DIRECTIONS
Address: 203, Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan
[Bus]
Goejeong Station (Busan Subway Line 1), Exit 6.
– Take local bus Sakha 1 or Sakha 1-1 to Gamcheon Elementary School Bus Stop.
Toseong Station (Busan Subway Line 1), Exit 6.
– Take local bus Saha 1-1, Seogu 2 or Seogu 2-2 to Gamcheon Elementary School Bus Stop.
Based on personal experience, taking the bus from the subway station is convenient enough. But be careful when the bus starts going up the slope and remember to keep your balance!
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