Gamcheon Culture Village is a town within Gamcheon-dong, Saha District, Busan,
South Korea. The area is known for its layered streets, twisted labyrinth-like
alleys, and brightly painted houses, which have been restored and enhanced in
recent years to attract tourism. Built on a steep mountain-side slope, the
village has been nicknamed "Korea's Santorini" and the "Machu Picchu of
Busan".
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Gamcheon.
In 2009, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism carried out a
public art-themed renovation effort to convert the village to a cultural
hub. It called for art students, professional artists, and residents to
maintain, repair, and "decorate" the village with art.
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The Little Prince and the fox.
The Little Prince and the fox of Saint-Exupéry contemplate the village.
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The fox is a mentor figure who points out the important things the
prince has learned and helps him clear his thoughts.
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Gamcheon Village.
The village has turned into one of the most featured tourist attractions
in Busan. Since the public art renovation project in 2009, tourism in
Gamcheon has increased considerably—the village saw approximately 1.4
million visitors in 2015.
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Village residents have met this influx of traffic with mixed
attitudes. While some residents have participated in the renovation
and tourism efforts, others have opted to move away despite
difficulties with selling their homes. It is estimated that 300 local
houses were empty as of 2015.
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Part of the development efforts in the Village include converting
these abandoned houses into art galleries, museums, and shops.
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Human-faced pigeons watch who passes by.
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Fish swimming in back alleys.
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See also
Source
Location
