My favourite vacations are the ones when I have a lot of time, but no money. So as usual, I ditched the high speed trains and took the Mungunghwa train (the slowest, but remind me again who won the race in the end?) from Seoul to Busan. I bought the ticket a few days before (Seoul Station is amazing for shopping, read: Lotte Mart!), using the line "Cheapest and fastest train to Busan please, Ma'am!". Do check your tickets though, the date was wrong and I had to queue again. The coolest thing ever, she scanned the QR code on the ticket, which was more of a receipt, and promptly handed me the new ticket in less than 5 minutes, maybe less. The time spent at the counter was less than the time spent in the queue.
Not a good photo but the best I've got of the ticket
From Snow to Sea
In Busan, I visited Gamcheon Cultural Village, otherwise known as the "Santorini of the East" or "Lego Village". I'm inclined to agree and remain indignant when the village is not a top hit when I google "Busan places to visit". 5 hours train ride there and back just for this, is worth it. I love sea facing towns, built on the sides of hills upon hills, familiar, sounds like Jiufen in Taiwan. Gambeon is less traditional, and more arty, colourful and vibrant. The downside to such towns is be prepared for some climbing up, and down.
The fun thing to do when you reach the Village is to get a Tourist booklet (includes a map of the Village) for you to collect stamps as you visit houses which double up as art exhibitions, or simply give you a great panoramic view of the village. Visit all the places, get a stamp at each place, redeem a postcard (you can choose your favourite design). You just need to visit Location 15 and 19 for a postcard at each location. I have locals asking me where to get the booklet, it's a tourist centre near the passport I think? Just ask around before you start the serious hike or you will have to revisit places to get the stamp. Instead of selling you the postcard (who still buys these things?) directly, they make you work hard and go on an adventure, to earn your gift (which is a postcard). I think it's a brilliant marketing strategy.
My first postcard
My second postcard
I didn't collect all though - too tired to find the cow-print house!
During the Korean war Gamcheon used to be a place for refugees and has long been home for the city’s poorest residents. But now it has received cultural excellence award from Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Explore the colorful and historic alleyways of Gamcheon, bring your camera and take pictures from every corners because you will find a different view every time you take pictures. There is no entrance fee, but if you want to participate in stamp scavenger hunt you can buy the Gamcheon Map for 2000KRW. Bring your children to enjoy this cultural village but it’s better for not taking the elders here, the stairs are too much. It is open from 9am-5pm. To get there, take line 1 to Toseong station, exit 8. Walk straight to bus shelter in front of PNU Cancer Center and take mini-bus 2 or 2-2 to Gamcheon Elementary School. source
Might have gotten the booklet here
I'm ready!
Following the fishes down
Follow the subtle and obvious signs around the village
A prelude
Stairs to see stars - because people used to feel dizzy and see stairs in their eyes when they climbed up the stairs with heavy loads. I still feel dizzy climbing up the 148 stairs without a heavy load.
This place offers one of the best views of the Village - 19 Gamnae Community Centre
Comes with a postcard too
It also doubles up as an art gallery
This is a postcard
These are not postcards
The fishes are confused
If you ask me, Gamcheon is a must visit, 27,300 won 5-h (one-way) train ride, tons of climbing up and down aside, there are few towns like this.
What other surprises does this village have in store?
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