The first location I visited upon arrival to Busan, South Korea was the Gamcheon Culture Village. People refer to the Gamcheon Culture Village as the ‘Santorini’ or ‘Machu Picchu’ of Korea. I had seen so many images sprawled across social media and my camera was itching to start snapping the moment I stepped foot into the village.
Entrance to the Gamcheon Culture Village is free because, well, it’s still a neighborhood in which locals actually reside. That being said, you can purchase a map for $2.00 which leads you on an artsy treasure hunt collecting stamps. I decided against the treasure hunt {read: spending money}, and instead found pleasure getting lost within the narrow alleyways of Gamcheon.
There is literally so much to see around every corner. Although this place is crawling with tourists, it’s easy enough to escape the crowds and feel completely alone. I suggest allotting at least two hours to explore.
Halfway through the afternoon, I became peckish and began the hunt for lunch. You will find plenty of restaurants within the village, but I personally recommend Goraesa Fish Cake Cafe. Busan is known for producing delicious fish cakes of all shapes and sizes, and when in Busan….
It was a warm afternoon when I visited the Gamcheon Culture Village. Luckily, Busan is located on the coast. This meant I avoided the brutal humidity that I experience in Daegu on a daily basis. This trip, in general, was a highlight for me here in South Korea. Finally witnessing the pastel-colored, lego-like homes however, was perfection.
Gamcheon Culture Village: A Photo Diary
Price: Free
Hours: You can visit the village year round 24/7, however facility hours are approximately 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Address: 203, Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan 부산광역시 사하구 감내2로 203 (감천동)
I highly recommend visiting the Gamcheon Culture Village if you plan to spend time in Busan. That being said, it’s one of many activities to partake in in this coastal city. You can read my full 2-day itinerary of Busan, South Korea here.
