A bamboo garden in a former wire factory at Busan’s F1963

From wire factory to garden

The irregular stepping stones beneath F1963’s bamboo were cut from the old factory’s concrete floor, and bamboo leaves now rustle overhead.

Kiswire completed its Suyeong factory in 1963 and produced wire there for 45 years, until 2008. The 2016 Busan Biennale prompted its conversion into a cultural complex, named with the F of Factory and the year of completion. The roofs and structural frame show that today’s exhibition rooms and bookshop began as industrial space.

On September 22, 2026, Busan announced that the Korea Forest Service had included F1963 Garden among its 30 Beautiful Private Gardens of Korea for 2026, the only Busan selection from 194 private gardens nationwide. The listing recognized an existing landscape combining gardens and industrial buildings, not the opening of a new garden.

Only Here

- A factory floor beneath a bamboo grove: the concrete stepping stones along Sori Trail vary in surface and colour. The operator links bamboo’s straight, flexible qualities to the wire once made here.

- An open courtyard made by removing a roof: F1963 Square is a courtyard opened to the sky by removing the old factory ceiling. Former production space became Sukcheon Hall for exhibitions and performances. The shaded Danpung Garden and Dalbit Garden, in the former backyard, are nearby. Autumn colour depends on the season and weather.

- Wire bobbins beside the coffee bar: Terarosa retains a factory generator and the large reels once used to wind wire, and old steel plates form its coffee bar and tables. Café orders cost extra.

Best Time

The editors recommend daylight for seeing the gardens and the textures of reused materials; this is not an official tour time. The operator lists the overall site as open daily 09:00–24:00, but indoor venues set their own hours: the greenhouse 10:00–20:00, the YES24 used bookstore 10:00–21:00, and Kukje Gallery Busan 10:00–18:00 Tuesday–Sunday, closed Monday.

The operator says the greenhouse, which holds art books, is open to everyone. Exhibitions and performances have their own dates, hours and admission terms.

How Long

The editors suggest 60–90 minutes for the gardens and factory exteriors, or 2–3 hours with the bookstore or a café. These are not official durations.

A visit can take in the reclaimed concrete along Sori Trail, the factory frame from the central square and the Danpung and Dalbit gardens. General admission is free; parking, purchases and individually priced programs cost extra.

Getting There

The address is 20 Gurak-ro 123beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan. According to the operator, take Busan Metro Line 3 to Mangmi Station, Exit 4, then village bus Suyeong-gu 2 from the Geumho gas-station stop to Sanjeong Apartment (산정아파트). Visit Busan lists a walk of about two minutes from there. City bus 54 stops at Kiswire (고려제강), also about two minutes away.

From Busan Station, take Line 1 to Yeonsan, change to Line 3 for Mangmi, then take the village bus. General enquiries: +82-51-756-1963. The official website has English and Japanese introductions to the site.