Cheongchun Balsan Village: From a Hillside Neighborhood for Chonnam Textile Mill Workers to an Art Alley with 108 Steps
Cheongchun Balsan Village is a hillside neighborhood in Yang-dong that preserves memories of industrialization around the Gwangjucheon Stream and the Chonnam Textile Mill area. You can explore its alleys for free year-round, but there is no parking lot and the slopes are steep, so public transportation and comfortable shoes are recommended.
The Balsan Hill Where Female Workers of Jeonnam Textile Lived in the 1970s and 1980s
Cheongchun Balsan Village is a hillside village in Yang-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. According to Gwangju tourism information, the Jeonnam Textile factory stood across the Gwangjucheon Stream in the 1970s, and young people who came in search of work settled on the hill after finding relatively affordable housing. The official cooperative explains that this was where female textile-factory workers rented rooms during the 1970s and 1980s.
After the 1990s, the textile industry declined, and combined with urban hollowing-out, residents and female workers left, increasing the number of vacant houses. After urban regeneration began in 2015, young neighbors and public design were introduced, adding murals, colors, and small shared spaces to the existing residential alleys. This is not a theme park but a village where residents actually live, so avoid making loud noises, entering private property, or filming in front of homes for long periods.
- Urban regeneration began: 2015
- Industrial background: Residential area for workers at nearby textile factories, including Jeonnam Textile, in the 1970s and 1980s
- Village hub: Cheongchun Village, 12-16 Cheonbyeonjwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
The 108 Steps of Cheongchun Balsan Village and Slopes Easily Missed in the Alleys
The village’s signature pedestrian spot is the 108 Steps. Materials from the Cheongchun Balsan Cooperative state that Cheongchun Village No. 1 is located at the center of the Cheongchun Balsan Village 108 Steps. Since stairs and sloping alleys continue throughout the area, traveling through all the alleys continuously by wheelchair or stroller is not suitable, and practical footwear is something that reduces slipping, such as athletic shoes.
National tourism information standard data lists the tourist area as 154㎡, with a capacity of 500 people and restrooms available. However, these figures are based on data from January 1, 2022, so it is safer to contact the Cheongchun Balsan Cooperative on the day of your visit to confirm whether individual spaces in the alleys are open and whether activities are operating. If you quickly look around the entire village, allow 40–60 minutes; if you take your time viewing the steps, murals, and spaces, plan for about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Key pedestrian spot: 108 Steps
- Restrooms: Available
- Recommended time: 40–90 minutes
- Accessibility: Limited for wheelchairs and strollers because there are many slopes and stairs
How to Use 12-16 Cheonbyeonjwa-ro as the Reference Point for Cheongchun Village
The representative address provided by tourism information and the cooperative is 12-16 Cheonbyeonjwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, postal code 61918, which is also the address of Cheongchun Village. The alley point indicated by the supplied coordinates may differ from the address, so if this is your first visit, set “Cheongchun Village” as your map destination and enter the 108 Steps and surrounding alleys from there to avoid confusion.
Gwangju tourism lists 062-360-7691 as the contact number for the Urban Regeneration Division of Seo-gu District Office. The cooperative lists 062-464-0020 as its main number and 0507-1365-0182 for reservations and inquiries. Tourism information affiliated with the Korea Tourism Organization also lists 070-4910-0339 as a contact number, so when you need to confirm a specific operator, such as for an activity or group visit, it is better to contact 0507-1365-0182 first.
- Representative address: 12-16 Cheonbyeonjwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City
- Main telephone: 062-464-0020
- Activities and reservations: 0507-1365-0182
- Administrative inquiries: 062-360-7691
- Official website: https://www.bal-san.com
18 Minutes from Dolgogae Station Exits 1 and 4, and 67 m from Balsan Bus Stop
According to the cooperative’s information, it takes 18 minutes on foot from Exit 1 or Exit 4 of Dolgogae Station on Gwangju Subway Line 1 to Cheongchun Village. The route from the station is not entirely a flat walk, so if you have a lot of luggage or find walking difficult, using a bus stop rather than the subway may be preferable.
The “Balsan 2043” bus stop is about 67 m away and is served by Yongjeon 84, Yudeok 65, and Maeul 760. The opposite-side “Balsan 2044” stop is about 75 m away and can be used for Yudeok 65 and Maeul 760. Gwangcheon Elementary School 2034 is about 242 m away and is served by Songam 31, Cheomdan 30, Daechon 69, Imgok 89, and Jiwon 56. Jeonnam Textile 4507 is about 259 m away and is served by 518, Yongjeon 84, and rural buses 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, and 107.
- Dolgogae Station Exits 1 and 4: About 18 minutes on foot
- Balsan 2043: About 67 m; Yongjeon 84, Yudeok 65, Maeul 760
- Balsan 2044: About 75 m; Yudeok 65, Maeul 760
- Gwangcheon Elementary School 2034: About 242 m; Songam 31, Cheomdan 30, and others
- Jeonnam Textile 4507: About 259 m; 518, Yongjeon 84, and others
Free and Open at All Times, but Confirm “Cheongchun Village Operations” Separately
Korea Tourism Organization tourism information describes Cheongchun Balsan Village as open at all times, open year-round, and free of charge. Since it is a place for walking through outdoor residential alleys, no separate admission ticket or advance reservation is required for general viewing. Admission is free, and visitors of all ages may use the area.
However, Cheongchun Village and exhibition, activity, and meeting spaces inside the village do not necessarily share the same opening hours as the village as a whole. The cooperative operates an activity reservation service, so for program participation, group visits, or use of indoor spaces, confirm the schedule and number of people in advance at 0507-1365-0182. Since tourism information states that parking facilities are unavailable, visitors arriving by car should separately check the same-day conditions at nearby public or private parking lots and enter on foot.
- Hours: Open at all times
- Closed days: Open year-round
- Admission: Free
- Reservation for general alley viewing: Not required
- Activities and group visits: Advance inquiry recommended
- Dedicated village parking: Unavailable
A Half-Day Itinerary Taking in Gwangjucheon Stream, Yangdong Market, and the Former Jeonnam Textile Site
To understand the location of Cheongchun Balsan Village, you should look at Gwangjucheon Stream and the Yangdong area together. Gwangju tourism explains that the Jeonnam Textile factory across the Gwangjucheon Stream was connected to the inexpensive housing on Balsan Hill. Therefore, rather than looking only at the colors of the alleys, moving through the area while considering how the streamside below the village was connected to the former living area of factory workers makes the reasons for urban regeneration clearer.
Yangdong Market is located at 238 Cheonbyeonjwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, and materials from the Gwangju Tourism Organization list 062-366-0884 as its main telephone number. Combining a meal or grocery shopping at the market after visiting Cheongchun Balsan Village is a good way to experience the connection between the local living areas. However, market business hours, closing days, and parking conditions may vary by shop and date, so do not confuse them with the village’s free, always-open information.
- Yangdong Market address: 238 Cheonbyeonjwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City
- Yangdong Market telephone: 062-366-0884
- Suggested route: Cheongchun Village → 108 Steps → Gwangjucheon Stream waterfront → Yangdong Market
- Recommended stay: 40–90 minutes in the village; adding the market makes a half-day
Four Things to Observe in the Residential Alleys and a Video Preview of the Route
This is not an independent facility created solely for photography but a living space that includes private homes. As a basic rule, do not film near doorbells, gates, or windows; do not block the steps for a long time to take group photos; take your trash with you; and keep conversations quiet late in the day. The village’s public design was added during the regeneration process after 2015, but residents’ daily lives have continued for much longer.
You can understand the changes in elevation and alley widths through videos before setting out. The Cheongchun Balsan Cooperative’s 2022 video “Balsan Village Cha Cha Cha” and Gwangju MBC’s 2021 video “A Village Where Young People Live! Balsan Village Cheongchun Village” are useful references for understanding village activities and the context of its spaces. The programs, shops, and exhibitions shown in the videos reflect their status at the time of upload and do not necessarily indicate current operations.
- Pass quietly and do not occupy the steps
- Ask permission before photographing inside homes, in front of doors, or residents’ faces
- Wear comfortable shoes for the sloping sections
- Call ahead to confirm indoor activities and events
Before You Go
- Address
- 12-16 Cheonbyeonjwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City
- Hours
- Open at all times
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- 062-464-0020 / 0507-1365-0182
- Official site
- https://www.bal-san.com
- Transport
- About 18 minutes on foot from Exits 1 and 4 of Dolgogae Station on Gwangju Subway Line 1. Balsan 2043 stop, about 67 m away (Yongjeon 84, Yudeok 65, Maeul 760); Balsan 2044 stop, about 75 m away (Yudeok 65, Maeul 760).
- Parking
- No dedicated village parking
- Time needed
- 40–90 minutes
- Accessibility
- Because there are sloping sections and stairs such as the 108 Steps, wheelchair and stroller access through all the alleys is limited. Foreign-language tourism information is available on the English VISITKOREA page.
The information above is accurate as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
-
1
Yangdong MarketWalk through the alleys of this traditional market and explore local foods and everyday culture. -
2
Yangnim-dong Penguin VillageTake photos while exploring nostalgic residential alleys and craft spaces. -
3
Sajik Park Observation TowerClimb the observation tower to enjoy panoramic views and the nightscape of downtown Gwangju.
Food & Dining 2
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4
1969 Yangdong TongdakEnjoy old-fashioned whole fried chicken, fried chicken feet, and fried gizzards. -
5
Suil TongdakEnjoy or take away Yangdong Market’s signature old-fashioned whole chicken at the shop.
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