If you have ever seen an advertisement promoting Busan, you would have seen a picture of Gamcheon Culture Village before. This place is probably one of the most famous attractions in Korea and I can see why.
This city on a slope dates back to the Korean War during the 1950s when refugees from all over the country started living there. After some time, most residents moved out to other cities, leaving many houses abandoned. The government decided to revive the whole area to attract tourists by promoting the opening of shops and renovating.
As a result of the transformation, Gamcheon Culture Village has become one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in South Korea.
The entrance to the village is easy to find. A tourist information centre sits directly next to the entranceway, and you will see a lot of people walking in and out of the village.
Once in the village, take your time to visit the small businesses lined along the main street. You will be able to buy snacks, souvenirs, and many more.
Don’t be afraid to stray into the alleyways (quietly; you don’t want to disturb the residents there). You might discover places that not many will find. I found this lookout point which oversees the whole village and I was able to capture beautiful pictures of the village like the one below:
Don’t be too in a hurry to finish walking the main street. There are many cafes around. Visit one and take a rest if you feel tired along the way.
HOT TIP: Look for a cafe with a nice view. I found one with an open-roof area and my goodness, the view was breathtaking. I didn’t want to leave the cafe after settling down with my coffee.
There is no right or wrong way to experience this village. Wherever the path takes you, go along with it. There are nice photo spots throughout the whole trail so remember to take pretty pictures along the way.
And before you know it, you will be seeing the day turn into night.
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