A mountain ablaze with colors — Busan’s Colorful Houses in a Rich Artistic Cultural Village

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

The Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan is the largest preserved area in South Korea that still has residents living in it. Known as South Korea’s Santorini (Greece), it gained immense popularity after the filming of the popular Korean variety show “Running Man”’s Busan special episode here. Since then, even Taiwanese idol dramas and variety shows have come to film on location.

The Gamcheon Culture Village originated as a refugee settlement during the Korean War in the 1950s, once home to as many as 4,000 residents, with over 800 houses built on the hillside. After the war, this area became one of the poorest parts of Busan, and due to a population boom, residents had no choice but to build their homes tightly packed together.

In 2009, the South Korean government began plans to revitalize Gamcheon. With the launch of the “Dreaming of Busan Machu Picchu” project, through the efforts of artists and local residents, the new Gamcheon Culture Village was born. It has become not only a must-visit destination for foreign tourists in Busan but is also regarded by locals as an essential spot for domestic travel. It’s now a backpacker-favorite place that consistently earns rave reviews.

【Info】
Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan
Address: Saha District, Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea