Day 15. Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan Tower and the Oryukdo Skywalk

On By Little Miss TravellerIn Asia, South Korea, South Korea 2018

The hotel’s breakfast selection varied from day to day and this morning we started the day with bowls of beef bulgogi, yogurt and fruit.  Feeling nourished we set off for the Gamcheon Cultural Village.  To get there we took a Line 1 train from Seomyeon station.  We then caught a local minibus from outside the National University Hospital, buses 1-1, 2 and 2-2 all go there with the journey taking about 10 minutes up a steep hill.

Breakfast, Arban Hotel, Busan
Hotel breakfast selection at the Arban Hotel, Busan

The Gamcheon Culture Village is nestled into a steep hillside and was once a dilapidated slum neighbourhood that housed refugees following the Korean War.  In 2009 the village was transformed when the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched an initiative to turn the area into a creative community.  Artists were invited to come and brighten up the village by adding vibrant murals to the walls and painting the flat roofed houses in pastel shades.

Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan
Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan

An archway marks the entrance to the village and near there we spotted the tourist information office so called in for a map of the village but as these cost 2,000 Won (£1.40) we decided to manage without one.  We soon discovered that the maps were unnecessary as arrows pointed the way though the village.  As it was a Saturday morning the narrow lanes were already crowded with tourists.  Like us, people were pausing to take photos of the street art and murals and admire the hillside views from the viewpoints.

Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan
View over Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan

Escaping the crowds, we left the main route and found a way down the hill through the labyrinth of tiny alleyways.  The village is still a residential area and visitors are requested to respect the homeowners privacy whilst exploring the area.

Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan
One of the many street murals at Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan

We caught a a No.1 minibus which we thought would take us back to Toseong station but actually terminated just a short distance up the hill back at the cultural village entrance where we had got off earlier.  We hadn’t realised the significance of a 1-1 bus which obviously followed a different route to a No.1.  It wan’t really much of a problem as the extra bus fare was only about 80p and soon afterwards we boarded the correct minibus back to Toseong station.  The bus stops around the corner from the station so passengers need to look out for the hospital on the left and then ring the bell.

Escalators to Busan Tower, Nampo
Start of series of escalators to Yongdusan Park, Busan

We then took the metro two stops to Nampo so that we could visit Yongdusan Park, leaving by exit 7 and then turning right onto Gwangbok-dong shopping street.  After walking five minutes we came to the arched entrance to the park which is via a series of escalators, making it quick and easy to ascend the hillside.

Escalators to Yongdusan Park, Busan
Riding the series of escalators to Yongdusan Park, Busan

Reaching the top of the flight of escalators we explored the park which contains a flower clock, bell tower, pavilion, several monuments and is dominated by Busan Tower which stands 120m tall.  The tower was constructed in 1973 solely for entertainment purposes and contains an observation deck, gift shop and cafe.

Busan Tower, Yongdusan Park, Nampo
Busan Tower, Yongdusan Park

Yongdusan Park takes its name from the dragon like shape of the mountain, Yongdusan meaning dragon in Korean. The park contains 70 different species of trees making it a shady place to sit and admire the spectacular views across Busan bay.

Yongdusan Park, Nampo
Festival taking place in Yongdusan Park, Busan

The park holds festivals each Saturday between March and November and a Japanese-Korean festival was in full swing during our visit so we took a seat to watch one of the folk music and dancing performances.  Around the foot of Busan Tower several stalls were offering face painting, art classes and games, and after trying my luck on the roulette wheel I came away with a vivid red silk bow tie decorated with Japanese images.  I accepted the prize gracefully but am not sure how useful it will be apart from acting as souvenir of my visit to the park.

Bell Tower, Yongdusan Park, Busan
Bell Tower, Yongdusan Park, Busan

Returning down the escalators to the hustle and bustle of Nampo we couldn’t resist stopping off in BIFF Square and joining the queues for more of the delicious Hotteok sweet Korean pancakes that we tried the previous day.

Nampo, Busan
The bustling centre of Nampo

It was then off to the Jagalchi metro station to begin our journey to the Oryukdo Skywalk. First we needed to take a train back to the Seomyeon interchange station and change lines for Doeyeon.  Outside the metro station it took slightly longer than expected to find the No.27 bus stop we needed so I would suggest taking the metro to Kyungsung University and Pukyong National University station exits 3 or 5 where bus numbers 24/27/131 all depart from outside the station for the Skywalk.

Oryukdo Skywalk, Busan
Taking the Oryukdo Skywalk, Busan

The bus stop is on the cliff side and from there it was only a few minutes walk to the Skywalk.  The 15 metre horseshoe shaped glass walkway was completed in 2012 and has been built over a 35 metre high cliff.  Quite a queue had built up as we approached but this moved swiftly and it was only a few minutes later that we were putting disposable overshoes on in preparation for stepping on the glass.

Oryukdo Skywalk, Busan
Along the Oryukdo Skywalk, Busan

There is no charge to access the Skywalk and although it was interesting to peer down through the glass floor and see the waves crashing against the rocks below, it only took about five minutes and was somewhat underwhelming .

Oryukdo Skywalk, Busan
View over the Skywalk from the Igidae Coastal Walk, Busan

Starting from the tourist information office across the road from the Skywalk is the Igidae Coastal Walk, a 4.5 km path around the peninsula. The trail began with a steep upward climb but we anticipated that once we had reached the cliff top it would be a reasonably level walk along the cliffs.  As we progressed, it soon became apparent that the walking trail was quite strenuous with constant steep ascents and declines as the path followed the natural terrain.  The trail passed across wooden suspension bridges and along gravel paths, with small viewpoints at regular intervals offering breathtaking views along the coast.

Igidae Coastal Walk, Busan
Along the Igidae Coastal Walk, Busan

It took longer to complete the trail than we had at first thought as it was quite challenging in places with rock scrambles but it was worth completing for the breathtaking views and stunning scenery.

Igidae Coastal Walk, Busan
View towards Haeundae from the Igidae Coastal Walk, Busan

After leaving the trail we walked down the main road just outside the northern end of the park entrance and caught a No.24 bus all the way back to Seomyeon near to our hotel.  We then rested our feet awhile before raising the energy to go out for dinner.

If you have enjoyed reading this post you may also like:

Taejongdae Park, Busan and a visit to Nampo

Day 13. Haeundae Beach, Busan, South Korea

Suggested accommodation in Busan:

Arban Hotel, Busan, South Korea

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41 thoughts on “Day 15. Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan Tower and the Oryukdo Skywalk”

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  7. I have wanted to comment, but suffer terminal laziness. I enjoy your posts of places I have been (like Gamcheon) and places that are off in the future. Your conciseness in explaining how to get around is truly prize-worthy. I try to check your blog first before we head on to another destination. It saves so much time. Thanks.

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  8. jasonlikestotravel

    I’ve finally caught up on your Korea trip! What a wonderful time. Another great read here, particularly loved the photos of the Gamcheon Culture Village. It’s so pretty! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. Your photos are stunning in their beauty. Hotel breakfast room was very nice looking. I had to stare many times at the photo of bell tower, but I could not find anything which could bring into my mind that is was bell tower. Thank You for this interesting post again.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Matti. The South Korean bell towers are very different to those we are used to in Europe. Here, it s one giant sized bell housed in temple like structures. We enjoyed a splendid visit to South Korea.

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  19. Another full day, Marion! 🙂 🙂 I admire the initiative to transform those slums. I could have enjoyed spending time there. The views out to sea are striking but you can’t help but notice how crowded are the valleys. I like the sultry warmth in your photos.

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  22. Yongdusan Park was the first place we took our then 15-month-old, when we first visited Busan, in 1989, as he was born in the Year of the Dragon-1988. Now, he is 30, living in Busan and visits Yongdusan fairly often, with his lovely fiancee.

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