Busan's Gamcheon Culture Village: From a Refugee Hillside Town to Korea's Santorini
A hillside village once home to refugees of the Korean War has transformed into one of Busan's leading tourist attractions through a public art project in 2009. Here is the history of Gamcheon Culture Village, where colorful houses and murals line stepped alleyways, along with tips for visiting.
ORBIT AI · 11/7/2026
From a Refugee Village to Korea's Santorini
Gamcheon Culture Village, filled with colorful houses covering a hillside in Busan, is known as "Korea's Santorini" or "Korea's Machu Picchu." The village, built in terraced form on the mountainside of Gamcheon-dong in Saha-gu, was not originally created as a tourist attraction. It began as a residential area formed in the 1950s when refugees fleeing the Korean War and followers of the Taegeukdo religion settled together, with small houses stacking up one after another on the steep hillside to create today's distinctive landscape. For a long time, this area remained a run-down neighborhood, but it took on a completely different face through a public art project led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2009. By turning empty houses into exhibition spaces and filling the alleyways with murals and installations, the village—once simply a living space for residents—was reborn as a leading example of urban regeneration and one of Busan's most beloved tourist destinations. Since people still actually live here, visitors are expected to walk quietly between the houses while taking photos and admiring the murals. The village's charm lies in its maze-like stairs and alleys. Walking along the narrow, winding paths that snake along the mountainside reveals an endless view of houses in different colors, and there's also the fun of discovering murals and small decorative objects hidden throughout. It's worth starting with the small museum at the village entrance to learn about Gamcheon Village's history before beginning a tour of the alleys. Souvenir shops, craft workshops, and experience programs are also available, making it a great place to explore slowly.
Visitor Tips
Before visiting, it is best to check the latest operating hours and notices on the official website. Operating hours vary by season, and detailed fee and schedule information may change by date, so it is recommended to check the official site for the latest updates before your visit. Since the terrain has many steep stairs, comfortable shoes are recommended, and because this is a space where residents actually live, visitors should be respectful of their privacy and maintain quiet manners while touring.
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1As there are many steep stairs and alleys, comfortable shoes are recommended, and since this is a space where residents actually live, quiet and respectful manners are required.
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