The 40 Steps in Jung-gu, Busan is a stairway built around 1909β1912 that became a poignant landmark during the Korean War (1950β53), when refugees crowded the surrounding hillside, traded relief goods, and used the stairs as a spot to reunite with lost family members. In April 2004 the roughly 450m stretch around the stairs was redeveloped as the '40-step Culture & Tourism Theme Street,' recreating the mood of Busan's old station and port in the 1950sβ60s, and it is now a beloved retro walking and photo spot.
Highlights
Retro bronze statues of 1950s daily life, including an accordion player, a woman carrying water buckets, and a popcorn vendor
The 40-step stairway itself and its plaza, steeped in wartime and refugee-era history
A roughly 450m retro street themed on the old Busan Station and port
The free 40 Stairs Culture Center, exhibiting refugee life and Jung-gu's modern history
An easy walk to Gukje Market, Bupyeong (Kkangtong) Market, and Nampo-dong in Busan's old downtown
Good to know
SafetyThe steep stairs are the whole point of the site and can get slippery in rain or winter; wear flat, grippy shoes and use the handrail.
MannersDon't climb on or hang off the bronze statues for photos, and since the stairs are a working thoroughfare, avoid blocking the steps while taking pictures.
RulesThe 40 Stairs Culture Center is typically closed Mondays and keeps set hours (differing on weekdays vs. weekends); confirm the latest hours before visiting if you want to see the indoor exhibits.
SeasonMost of the site is open-air stairs and plazas with little shade, so midday summers are hot and winter evenings are windy; pack water and a hat, or warm layers, by season.
MannersThis is a living old-downtown neighborhood as well as a tourist site, so keep noise down and respect residents' privacy in the early morning and late evening.
Practical info
The street is open 24/7 and free; it's about a 5-minute walk from Jungang Station on Busan Metro Line 1 (exit numbers vary by source, so check on-site signage). Confirm the Culture Center's latest hours and closed days.
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