Free your senses at the sixth-largest city in South Korea with heritage villages, annual biennale and cultural belt that overlooks a breathtaking UNESCO Geopark.
Mudeungsan Mountain National Park
How To Get There
Gwangju is only accessible via domestic flights within South Korea. Flight from Seoul or Jeju Island is only 50 minutes long. Otherwise, Korea Train Express takes 1 hour 30 minutes to reach from Seoul and there are also plenty of buses to Gwangju from Incheon, Busan and Seoul.
Yangnim-dong Penguin Village
What To Do
Sightseeing of nature at Mudeung Mountain, a UNESCO Geopark, is one of the relaxing activities to do. Other than mountaineering, one can take the chairlift or monorail at Mudeung Mountain to see the cityscape or stroll at Mudeung Mountain Art Gallery Street with various museums and cafes at the mountain entrance.
To shop, Chungjang-ro Street is the place to go for the hippest trend to finding hanbok (Korean traditional costume). Every April, Sajik Park is a known spot to see cherry blossoms in full bloom at night time in the lights. The park also features a memorial for national heroes, shooting range and multiple pavilions overlooking downtown.
Photo from Ramada Plaza Gwangju
Where To Stay
Ramada Plaza Gwangju stands tall in Gwangju as the only 5-star hotel in the region. The hotel features a designer-class hot bath at 3Well Spa for relaxation and massages to rejuvenate. For cheaper alternatives, there are plenty of local hotels and cozy hostels to consider.
Chungjang-ro Street in Gwangju
Where To Eat
Gwangju is a food capital in Jeolla. Songjeong tteokgal-bi (minced beef ribs patties) is one of the signature food to try at their night market. Another local specialty is ori-tang, a special duck stew served with rice porridge. Taste specially made momil-guksu (buckwheat noodle soup) at Cheongwonmomil, a famous noodle place Gwangju.
Good To Know
• The word “Gwangju” literally means “light province” in Korean.
• U-Square is probably the largest and most modern bus terminal in the country with a movie theater, shopping outlets, restaurants and 30 gates for buses.
• Gwangju Sajik Park used to be an area for Sajikdan, an altar for praying to the Gods for a good harvest during the Joseon dynasty.
Text by Jessy Wong • Photos by Gwangju Convention & Visitors Bureau
