Gamcheon culture village blog — How to go & What to do at Gamcheon culture village?

November 1, 2019

In my plan, I only have 2 days in Busan so I try to find out the most outstanding places of this city. And the colorful village of Gamcheon is one of them, where is dubbed as “Santorini in Asia”, “Machu Picchu in Busan”. The colorful houses overlooking the sea look like Lego pieces stacked on top of each other, with small streets displaying applied artworks interspersed with several cute designed coffee shops serving unique local desserts. So, what to do at Gamcheon culture village (what to do in Gamcheon culture village). Let’s check out our Gamcheon culture village blog with the fullest Gamcheon culture village busan (Gamcheon busan) travel guide on how to go, top things to do at the one of the most beautiful villages in South Korea to find out the answer!

busan itinerary 4 days,busan travel itinerary,busan trip itinerary-gamcheon-culture-village — The colorful houses at Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan | gamcheon culture village blog

Gamcheon Busan: How to go?

gamcheon village — | gamcheon culture village how to go

In my group, there was a friend who knew Korean, so we took a bus from Jagalchi Fish Market to Gamcheon Cultural Village to play in the afternoon. However, buses in Busan are generally more difficult to travel than trains because the sign boards do not have English, on the buses are mostly elderly, communication is not very good so it is very inconvenient to ask directions. It is best to take the train according to the following instructions:

1. Take Line 1 Subway (Busan Station) to Toseong Station.
2. Exit at gate 6.
3. In front of you is an intersection, turn right and go straight.
4. Take the bus No.2 or No.2-2 with words of “Gamcheon Culture Village” printed on the door.
5. Bus will drop you right at the gate of Gamcheon cultural village at the top of the hill.

gamcheon busan (1) — Directions map – Buses 2-2 parked in front of the village gate – Tourist information counter. | gamcheon culture village blog

Gamcheon culture village blog: The history

Gamcheon Cultural Village is a tourist attraction in the city of Busan that any visitor wants to visit if they opportunity traveling to Korea. In the 1950s, Gamcheon was considered a slum when refugees; poor people, people who lost families and homes during the Korean War, all flock here. They erected about 800 dented wooden houses and spread along the hillsides. After the war, life here was still very difficult, lacking electricity and water. Many people have left Gamcheon to find a better living area, but many still remain.

gamcheon village (2) — The entire village is covered in beautiful Pastel paint. | gamcheon culture village blog

Compared to the rapid development of the city of Busan, the “slum” Gamcheon is like a rare “specialty”. Therefore, in 2009, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched an art project to turn Gamcheon into a cultural and creative destination with the participation of artists. There is only one large road around the village, but visitors can still get lost if they turn deep into many small alleys and corners. At every turn, there are interesting surprises, such as a unique mural or an view point.

gamcheon gate — Welcome gate of Gamcheon Culture Village is simple but modern and beautiful.

Besides the houses, many houses here are converted into art galleries, restaurants, souvenir shops, cafes to serve visitors. At the end of the village, visitors will come to the exhibition of a miniature model of Gamcheon culture village with houses like matchboxes, lying close together, painted in bright colors.

Gamcheon Culture Village Busans Hidden Gem — Gamcheon Culture Village facing the sea | gamcheon culture village blog

a food store in gamcheon — A food shop at Gamcheon

gamcheon culture village busan (1),best places to visit in busan — Lovely at every corner.

Gamcheon culture village Busan: What to do at Gamcheon culture village?

Taking photos with applied artworks and painting at the hands of Korean artists. Like Penang or Tam Thanh mural village in Vietnam, the paintings all attract large numbers of visitors to “check-in” and save memories.

gamcheon busan korea (2) — Traveling to Korea, the love locks can be found everywhere, including Namsan Tower, Ssamziegil, Seoul and Busan.

love lock gamcheon — | gamcheon culture village blog

gamcheon busan korea (10) — | gamcheon culture village busan

gamcheon village.35 — | gamcheon culture village busan

Collect stamps, win gifts: At the tourist information counter at the entrance, they sell the map of Gamcheon village at 2.000 won. On it marks 8 outstanding attractions (including cafes, galleries, art shops), if you get all 8 stamps and then return to the counter will have a small gift for you. If you have time, you should try this game, see that gift is, quite interesting and thrilling, hehee.

gamcheon busan korea (13) — The map of Gamcheon Village at 2.000 won. | gamcheon culture village busan

gamcheon busan korea (8) — 2D – 3D paintings are cleverly painted by the artists on the wall, combining colors in a clever way.

gamcheon village (1) — A “young couple” is being operated by parents next to a flock of colorful fish made of hand-decorated wood. | gamcheon culture village busan

Wandering around the alleys, corners of the village to feel the atmosphere and culture of the people here.

gamcheon9 — | what to do at gamcheon culture village

Gamcheon is quite large. It takes a long day to visit all the corners of the village.

Each corner of the street is painted, meticulously decorated very cute. | what to do at gamcheon culture village

Gamcheon Culture Village 3 — | what to do at gamcheon culture village

Discover Gamcheon’s rich history at the Little Museum: Over 70 old household appliances donated by local residents, illustrating the past. Visitors can learn more about Gamcheon’s artistic transformation through the cooperation of residents, artists and local authorities.

gamcheon busan korea (4) — Miniature model of Gamcheon cultural village | what to do in gamcheon culture village

Another experience here is that you can hire Hanbok and freely visit the village in this traditional Korean costume. I didn’t try because I already tried Hanbok experience in Seoul, but the price is quite cheap at 10.000 won for a 2-hour set for a girl or a men’s one for 15.000 – 20.000 won. You can rent accessories such as handbags, hats for 3.000 – 5.000 won/item.

gamcheon hanbok.1 — | what to do in gamcheon culture village

In addition to international tourists, the romantic setting in Gamcheon also attract domestic visitors when coming to Busan.

Gamcheon culture village blog: What to eat?

Ssiat Hotteok is a famous sweet donut in Busan, with a crispy golden outer crust, inside with honey, sugar, sunflower seeds mixed, so fragrant. There are many shops selling this food in the village, you can buy one to enjoy, it’s great!

gamcheon busan korea (5) — The shop selling juices, ice cream, waffle … is also really “cute”

There are plenty of eateries and desserts here, but I feel expensive and not as rich as in Seoul.

gamcheon busan korea (6) — Fish cake (odeng), grilled sausage for hungry diners. | gamcheon busan

Gamcheon Culture Village showing food | gamcheon busan

The day I came, the weather is beautiful, blue sky and white clouds, watching the village for the last time in the distance felt peaceful and close. When I get old, if I have the opportunity, I want to stay in an open and lovely place and look out to the sea like this! Wish you have a fun and memorable trip.