Nestled into the rolling hills of southern Busan, Gamcheon Culture Village is certainly a sight to behold. The hundreds of small, colourful homes peering over one another to the coastline below are more evocative of a South American community than of an eccentric Korean neighbourhood with a sobering history.
If anything else, Culture Village is a photographer’s paradise (source).
Gamcheon was once the home of hundreds of thousands of Korean War refugees who fled the North for the relative safety of Busan and subsequently formed a community atop the high hills of Saha-gu. Living in makeshift homes made of scrap metals, wood and rocks, Gamcheon was once home to Busan’s poorest citizens.
In an attempt to bring more money into the area, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism enacted the 2009 “Dreaming of Machu Picchu in Busan” Project to transform the former eyesore into the quirky, colourful, and downright beautiful community it is today. Reparations were made, artists were hired, and Culture Village was born.
Built upon the religious foundations of Taegukdo, each home is built so as to not block the view of another which gives it its apt nickname as the “Machu Picchu of Busan”. (Picture sourced here).
This off-the-wall neighbourhood attracts thousands of selfie stick-wielding tourists due to its multiple art installations and countless colourful murals that can be found everywhere you look. Some pieces and paintings are more popular than others, so you might have to line up for that coveted selfie.
I wasn’t kidding about having to line-up.
Culture Village is open for tourists from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, and illustrated tourist maps can be bought at the Haneul Maru Tourist Information Center and Observatory. Tourists are warned not to be too invasive; people do live there, and many do not wish to be the subject of your camera lens.
How to get there: Line 1 to Toseong, exit 8. Walk straight ahead and catch the 2 or 2-2 minibus at the bus shelter in front of the hospital. Both will take you up the winding streets to the top of the hill, where your adventure begins.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, and plan to spend at least 2-3 hours exploring this fascinating suburb. There are great restaurants and cute cafes lining the main street, and several have rooftop patios for you to soak in the stunning view- and a stunning view it is, indeed.
(source)
Gorgeous murals decorate every alley, nook and cranny of Gamcheon.
The “Little Prince” installation is, arguably, the most famous photo stop. (source)
These groups of fish-shaped pieces will keep you on the main tourist track. (Picture)