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Gamcheon Culture Village is one of Busan's most popular attractions and a must-add to the itinerary for first-time visitors to the city. Once a refugee settlement, it has been transformed through revitalization into one of Busan's most iconic destinations.

When you arrive at Gamcheon Culture Village, the rows of colorful houses are a must for photos, along with the adorable statues of the Little Prince and the fox. If you enjoy trying something new, consider renting a hanbok in the village to create even more unique and memorable experiences.

This guide also highlights the best viewpoints and photo spots, showing you how to explore Gamcheon Culture Village and capture the most authentic shots.

A Brief History of Gamcheon Culture Village

Gamcheon Culture Village was formed by refugees who fled south during the Korean War in the 1950s and 1960s. They settled on hillside land where few people would normally choose to live, and over time, individual homes gradually grew into an entire village.

However, in recent years, as surrounding areas developed, residents began moving away from Gamcheon. Over a period of about 20 years, the population declined by approximately 62%, turning the village into something of a ghost town. To save this increasingly neglected community, a "revitalization" project was launched.

However, the redevelopment process was not as smooth as many might imagine. The original plan followed a typical urban renewal model—demolishing old buildings and constructing new ones—but this approach was opposed by local residents.

As a result, the project shifted toward a "preservation-based redevelopment" approach, which became the foundation of the Gamcheon Culture Village Project. Through the combined efforts of artists from various fields and local residents, the houses of Gamcheon were transformed into a vibrant array of colors, and installation art can now be found around every corner. No matter where you turn, there's always something new to photograph—you'll never run out of shots.

How to Get to Gamcheon Culture Village

To get to Gamcheon Culture Village, you'll need to take the subway first and then transfer to a local community bus. The community bus passes through both Jagalchi Station and Toseong Station, and you can transfer to the bus from either station depending on your itinerary.

For example, you might start your day by exploring Jagalchi Market, then walk directly to the bus stop afterward—it makes for a smooth and convenient route.

Jagalchi Station:
Exit through Exit 1, then walk for about 2–3 minutes to the bus stop marked in the picture, "Chungmu-dong Intersection / Chungmu Market (충무동교차로 / 충무시장)", stop number 02-092.

Toseong Station (Option 1):
Exit through Exit 8, and you'll see the bus stop right away. The stop is called "Toseong Station (토성역)". Although this stop is on the opposite side, the bus will make a U-turn shortly afterward and still reach the destination.

Toseong Station (Option 2):
If you prefer to board the bus in the correct direction, exit through Exit 6 and walk about 2–3 minutes to the bus stop "Busan National University Hospital / Ami-dong Entrance (부산대학교병원 / 아미동입구)", stop number 02-066.

Which bus to take?
From all three bus stops above, you can take one of the following buses to reach Gamcheon Culture Village:

Saha-gu 1-1 (사하구 1-1)
Seo-gu 2 (서구 2)
* Seo-gu 2-2 (서구 2-2)

All three buses have large "Gamcheon Culture Village" signs on the front, making them easy to recognize.

If transferring from the subway to a bus feels too complicated, you can also opt to take a taxi after getting off the subway. From Exit 6 of Toseong Station, a taxi ride to Gamcheon Culture Village takes about 10 minutes and costs approximately 3,000 KRW.