Do you need the perfect picturesque spot to spend the last moments of summer? Well, there is a beautiful village in Busan where you can relax and walk between cliffs while enjoying the remarkable ocean view. Although the town may be small, the trip will be far from boring, with its excellent photo spots. Thus, the Sungkyun Times (SKT) would like to introduce Huinnyeoul Culture Village, located on Yeongdo Island.
At the End of the Coastal Cliff, Huinnyeoul Culture Village
Introduction to Huinnyeoul Culture Village
Huinnyeoul Culture Village is a town located on a steep coastal cliff. Its name, Huinnyeoul (white riffle), originates from the water that streams down from Bongraesan Mountain to the ocean, which looks like the falling of white snow. Huinnyeoul Culture Village is located on the west shore of Yeongdo Island, a small island in Busan, and faces the South Sea directly. The village was originally a town where refugees had settled during the Korean War. The dilapidated houses built on the mountain slopes and narrow alleys show the sorrows of Korean history. In 2011, the town became a cultural village after the abandoned houses were re-built through a regeneration project. It was then given the name “Huinnyeoul” and became a popular tourist spot. The town is also famous as a filming spot for movies such as The Attorney and Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time.
How to Visit Huinnyeoul Culture Village
From the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus, Kingos can take Subway Line 4 and get off at Seoul Station. Then, take the KTX train and get off at Busan Station. At the Busan Station bus stop, take bus No.82 and get off at Huinnyeoul Culture Village. From the Natural Sciences Campus, Kingos can take Subway Line 1 and get off at Pyeongtaek Jije Station. Then, take the SRT train to Busan Station. The route is identical from then on.
Ways to Rest and Relax at Huinnyeoul!
Take a Walk at the Marine City
➊ The Santorini of Busan
Huinnyeoul Culture Village holds an exotic vibe that allows tourists to enjoy the ocean in a unique atmosphere. The colorful houses clustered on top of the cliff and the beautiful ocean might remind people of Santorini, an island in the Aegean Sea. Waves colliding with the seawall also add to the refreshing view. Its charm as a cultural village increased after the numerous renovation projects. Abandoned houses transformed into artists’ workspaces, and the walls were covered in vibrant murals. Meanwhile, various artworks by Huinnyeoul’s public art project team, Yeoul, can be found throughout the village. As part of the project, artists decorated the façades of the Jeoryeong roadside and the village entrances, allowing visitors to enjoy a richer sight. Huinnyeoul is best to visit on a sunny day as it is picturesque under the clear, blue sky. The SKT recommends Kingos to visit this town in autumn, when the sky is the most beautiful, especially for those who are fond of active walking courses.
➋ Best Places to Take a Stroll
Several walking avenues exist for relaxing and healing the soul at Huinnyeoul Culture Village. First of all, Huinnyeoul Road is along promenade facing the East Sea, and is a favored tourist attraction. Kingos can enjoy the scenic ocean view beyond the white walls while walking past the village’s old houses. The Huinnyeoul Road is also connected to 14 different alleys, which resemble a maze as they are narrow and intertwined. The road is recommendable to visit during the evening, as the view is lovely at sunset. Some stairways connect the village down to the coastal highway, allowing for a more dynamic tour. They blend well with the colorful walls and are aesthetically pleasing. One of the more famous stairways, the rainbow-colored Piano Stairs, is connected in a zigzag-like manner from the 2nd Songdo Observatory down to the coastal walk. As the stairs at Huinnyeoul are steep, try bringing lightweight belongings. Last but not least, Jeoryeong Coastal Walk is a 3km long main esplanade that trails the coastline under the village. It is never dull to stroll the road, as its floor and walls are decorated with blue pattern tiles that represent the waves of the East Sea. Jeoryeong Coastal Walk is recommended as the last walking course since the road connects back to the Huinnyeoul Coastal Tunnel that leads to the village.
Stop for a Moment and Enjoy
➊ Beautiful Photo Spots
Every photo taken in Huinnyeoul will look like a painting, but the SKT hopes to introduce you to the three best photo spots chosen by tourists. Around the middle of Huinnyeoul Road, you can find “Jinwoo’s Wall,” a filming location of The Attorney. There are famous quotes from the film written on the wall, such as, “This is not right! I will do it. I will be his attorney!” The house beyond the wall used to be an information booth but has now disappeared. Next is the village’s hottest photo spot, the entrance of Huinnyeoul Coastal Tunnel. The 70-meter-long tunnel was created, to allow those with difficulties using stairs to safely walk to the Jeoryeong Coastal Walk. The artistic scenery behind you can be captured by taking a photo from inside the tunnel while facing the entrance. Lastly, another popular photo spot is the walkway in which the blue ocean is visible between the village’s white walls. The spot became well-known through social media, but finding it is another delight, as there is no official explanation of its location. To give a special tip for Kingos, the spot is located on the path between the 2nd Songdo Observatory and the Rainbow Stairs.
➋ Chill at the Ocean View Cafés
Various small cafés in the village allow you to chill after an exhausting walk. For instance, Sinki Yeoul is one of the village’s most popular cafés with a fantastic ocean view.
In the café, tourists can experience the days and nights of Huinnyeoul. Sinki Yeoul’s rooftop and exterior are decorated in white, thus resembling the “day” of the village. At the same time, the inside of the café is designed in a calm black theme, signifying “night.” The black interior makes the ocean view window appear much like a movie screen. Next is Yeoul Book, a warm and cozy book café on the right side of “Jinwoo’s Wall.” Here, you can borrow books and relax with a cup of coffee. It has a lively charm, with two cats roaming around the café. The café is also colored yellow, contrasting with the ocean view. If you are a sweet-toothed Kingo, a combination of a chocolate latte with a salt dacquoise is recommended. Furthermore, Yeoul Book sells several souvenirs and owns a small garden with sunflowers. Apart from visiting these cafés, looking around the adorable loft shops on Huinnyeoul road would increase the zest for traveling, as well.
While everyone has been breathlessly investing in their daily lives, 2022 is already reaching its end. Now is the perfect time to think about how we can wisely wrap up the rest of the year. Before the ocean breeze gets too cold, why not enjoy the last bits of summer by strolling the roads at Huinnyeoul Culture Village?