Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Gwangju, South Korea

Set within a picturesque mountainous region in the South Jeolla province, Gwangju emerges as a city distinguished by its vibrant arts scene and fashion-savvy residents, characterized by their distinctive individuality.

This ethos resonates through the Gwangju Uprising of May 1980, a pivotal movement advocating for democracy that was met with severe military repression and has become deeply embedded in the city’s cultural fabric.

Since 1995, Gwangju has hosted a biennale in the autumn of even-numbered years, drawing international attention to the city as it makes its mark on the global art stage.

The city’s Chungjang-ro serves as a prominent fashion street, comparable to the best in Seoul or Busan. In addition, cultural experiences abound at the Gwangju National Museum, the Gwangju Museum of Art, and the Asia Culture Center, established in 2014.

1. Gwangju National Museum

Situated in an architecturally impressive building resembling a traditional palace, the Gwangju National Museum rests majestically at the summit of an elegant staircase.

The museum’s galleries house a diverse collection of artifacts from throughout the metropolitan area and South Jeolla province.

Visitors can explore prehistoric discoveries dating back 66,000 years, as well as captivating Bronze Age artifacts from Gwangju’s renowned dolmen sites.

Dedicated spaces exhibit Buddhist art, calligraphy, painting, and exquisite celadon and buncheong ceramics.

The Sinan Shipwreck Collection Gallery presents treasures recovered from a 14th-century Chinese Yuan Dynasty shipwreck, featuring pottery, metalwork, musical instruments, games, cooking utensils, and agarwood items.

Venture into the grounds, where you will find a dolmen park showcasing five prehistoric structures, in addition to a historic celadon kiln relocated from Gangjin-gun and a five-story stone pagoda unearthed during agricultural work in Jangun-dong in 1982.

2. Gwangju Museum of Art

Located near the Gwangju National Museum in Jungoe Park, the Gwangju Museum of Art features the Biennale Exhibition Hall and has been housed in a modern main building since 2007. Its extensive permanent exhibition, complete with English descriptions, showcases a wide array of Korean and international art forms, including painting, calligraphy, illustration, drawing, photography, decorative art, and new media.

Notable international artists, including Joseph Beuys, have participated in temporary exhibitions, while many displays feature the region’s complex political past.

The museum also includes a dedicated space for children, featuring galleries designed for shorter attention spans and an interactive area for hands-on creativity.

3. May 18th National Cemetery

It may be difficult to fathom, but a generation ago, democracy was absent in South Korea.

For decades leading up to 1988, national elections were nonexistent after dictator Park Chung-hee seized power in a 1961 coup, implementing a new constitution in the early 1970s.

Park was assassinated in 1979, igniting a turbulent period that culminated in the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980, as calls for democracy resonated across the nation.

On May 18, students from Chonnam University faced brutal violence from an authoritarian regime that had emerged following yet another coup.

This sparked ten days of violent unrest in Gwangju, ultimately suppressed with extreme force.

It is reported that some soldiers even killed police officers for liberating protestors, and the death toll reportedly exceeded 2,000. May 18 was declared an official memorial day in 1997, alongside the establishment of this national cemetery at the base of Mount Mudeung.

A monument featuring two parallel pillars, each 40 meters tall, symbolizes hope and renewal.

Visitors can learn about the events of May 18 at the memorial hall, which displays portraits of those interred in the cemetery housed within the portrait enshrinement tower.

4. Asia Culture Center (ACC)

Inaugurated in 2014 after an extensive planning and construction period of 12 years, this contemporary cultural center located in Gwangsan-dong, Dong-gu hosts an array of music and dance performances, contemporary art exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, festivals, and numerous events highlighting Gwangju and Asian culture.

The ACC occupies the former site of the South Jeolla Provincial Office, which played a significant role during the events of May 18, 1980, and a section of it has been preserved on the northern side of the complex.

When this article was composed in the summer of 2019, the main exhibition featured “Ten Days of Butterfly Kaleidoscope,” a poignant artistic interpretation of the Gwangju Uprising.

“Let’s Be Friends with Books” was another charming collaborative exhibition featuring works by author Lee Jihyeon and picture-book artist Bonsoir Lune.

This is merely a glimpse into the vibrant programming offered by the center, ensuring there is likely something to appeal to your interests regardless of the time of your visit.

5. Sajik Park

Beginning in the Three Kingdoms Period, from the 1st to the 7th centuries CE, this hill in Gwangju’s southeastern Yangnim-dong served as a significant shamanistic site.

Enveloped in century-old forest, one can still observe a stone altar dedicated to the State deities from that era.

Additionally, the park features modern monuments, including one commemorating the sacrifices of police officers during the Korean War and the Yeosu–Suncheon uprising of 1948. At the pinnacle of the hill stands an observation tower constructed in 2014. Visitors can walk or take an elevator to the outdoor observation platform, where an informational panel details landmarks visible in Gwangju’s skyline.

Sajik Park is particularly enchanting in mid-April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

6. Gwangju National Science Museum (Lucerium)

The Gwangju High-tech Science Industrial Complex, located in the northern part of the city, houses the Gwangju National Science Museum.

The theme of “Light” dominates this striking, metallic structure completed in 2003, crowned by a glass dome.

Inside, the “World of Light” exhibit serves as a playful introduction to the characteristics of light, while the “Science and Art” zone showcases the artistic applications of light as a medium.

The following hall, “Science in Living,” reveals the scientific phenomena present in our everyday experiences, and “Challenge for the Future” emphasizes the significance of space and Earth’s oceans for the survival of humanity.

An indoor playground provides preschool children with the opportunity to engage with scientific principles, complemented by an auditorium designated for lectures and a 3D Theatre showcasing lab experiments alongside a daily robot dance exhibit.

7. Daein Market

Daein Market, once Gwangju’s primary source of food, struggled in the 1990s with the emergence of large shopping malls.

This decline was reversed in 2008 when previously vacant stores transformed into small art galleries for the Gwangju Biennale.

Today, spanning six districts, art studios coexist alongside typical market offerings, including seafood, fresh produce, crafts, toys, homewares, textiles, fermented foods, and more.

Street food vendors line the market’s alleys, and Saturday evenings (until 11 p.m.) are considered some of the best times to explore.

8. Chungjang-ro

This vibrant shopping and entertainment district also served as the epicenter for the Gwangju Democratization Movement in May 1980, creating an atmosphere rich in historical significance, while also being one of the best shopping destinations in South Korea.

Visitors can experience the latest fashion trends on a street filled with shopping malls, clothing boutiques, movie theaters, restaurants, bars, cafes, and noraebang karaoke rooms.

Chungjang-ro is primarily pedestrian-friendly, and on the first weekend of October, it holds a festival reminiscent of life in the city during the 1970s and 1980s.

9. Mudeungsan Jeungsimsa Temple

The journey up the western slope of Mount Mudeung leads to this Buddhist temple belonging to the Jogye Order, which has a rich history dating back to the 6th century during the Silla Kingdom.

Jeungsimsa Temple has withstood historical calamities, including the Japanese invasions in the late 16th century and subsequent destruction during the Korean War.

The restoration efforts undertaken in the 1970s returned the complex to its original architectural style, faithful to the designs established by three 17th-century monks: Dogwang, Seokgyeong, and Sujang.

Make sure to view the Korean National Treasure (No. 131), a seated Vairocana Buddha crafted from iron in the 9th century during the Unified Silla period.

To immerse yourself in Jongye Buddhist rituals and traditional Korean culture, consider participating in a templestay program that can last from a few hours to several nights.

10. 1913 Songjeong Station Market

Similar to Daein Market, this historic shopping street located across from Gwangju Songjeong Station had faced challenges until its revitalization as a trendy destination in 2016. The buildings along the street were renovated to exhibit a stylish retro aesthetic, accommodating cafes, pop-up shops, and unique specialty food vendors alongside long-established grocers.

For instance, Hankki Ramyeon offers instant noodles from various corners of the globe, while Roh Ji-hyun of Bukakmaeul specializes in traditional snacks, such as dried sweet potato and seaweed chips.

To delight visitors, 1913 Songjeong Station Market serves as an excellent locale for street food, particularly during weekend evenings when you can savor hotteok (sweet griddle cakes) and bacon-wrapped kimchi.

11. Gwangju Lake Eco Park

A mere 30-minute bus ride (routes 187 or 188) from the city center leads you to Gwangju Lake, set within a stunning mountainous landscape north of Mount Mudeung.

The Eco Park, located on the southeast shore of the lake, occupies marshland and features an extensive and well-maintained boardwalk that allows visitors to traverse the wetlands and open waters.

Enjoy accessible grassy areas, wooden observation platforms ideal for birdwatching, and trails traversing 400-year-old willow trees.

Food stalls are conveniently located at the entrance, along with an educational center focused on the lake’s ecology.

Be on the lookout for songbirds such as vinous-throated parrotbills, Japanese tits, and various finches including Chinese grosbeaks, bramblings, and Eurasian siskins.

12. Soswaewon

A short distance from Gwangju Lake Eco Park lies a traditional Korean garden, established in the 16th century by a disciple of Jo Gwangjo (1482-1520), a Neo-Confucian scholar who was ordered to commit suicide during the Third Literati Purge of 1519 after advocating for radical reforms.

This garden was created in response to Gwangjo’s death, and its designer, Yang San-bo (1503-1577), sought to embody the concept of “anbinnakdo,” representing comfort in simplicity while leading a life of integrity.

Nestled in a tranquil valley surrounded by a mud and stone wall, Soswaewon features two elegant pavilions, Kwangp’unggak and Chewoltang, along with a pond and a man-made waterfall.

Visitors can traverse the valley via a log bridge and wander through a charming bamboo grove and a historic woodland populated by pines, maples, peach trees, and zelkovas.

13. Dongmyeong-dong Cafe Street

Dongmyeong-dong has recently revitalized its atmosphere after experiencing a decline following the exit of the South Jeolla provincial office in 2005. With the emergence of Dongmyeong-dong Cafe Street, it has transformed into a trendy district aligned with the nearby Asia Culture Center.

Visitors will be enticed by appealing storefronts showcasing themed cafes, pubs, and restaurants.

A prime example is Stoa Urbana, constructed using repurposed shipping containers, which features artwork by local artists and regularly hosts live music performances.

14. Gwangju Family Land

Ideal for a family outing, Gwangju Family Land is a moderate amusement park located in the northern Buk-gu district.

Spanning 290 acres amidst wooded hills and overlooking a lake, the park features a variety of rides and attractions, including a Ferris wheel, carousels, a swinging Viking ship, and a pool area with slides.

Older children will enjoy the rollercoaster, which includes two inversions, while attractions also encompass an ice rink and a small zoo housing tigers, bears, giraffes, and elephants.

15. Gwangju Biennale

Over the 25 years since its establishment, the Gwangju Biennale has positioned the city as a pivotal center for contemporary art in Asia.

The initiative was founded to channel the spirit of the Gwangju Uprising into a novel cultural context.

Exhibitions are typically held at the Biennale Exhibition Hall in Jungoe Park, and each iteration features a unique theme and new curatorial vision.

The 12th Biennale in 2018 was titled “Imagined Borders,” showcasing the works of 153 artists from 41 different countries across seven independently curated exhibitions.

Artistic directors for the 13th Biennale in 2020, Defne Ayas and Natasha Ginwala, are expected to deliver an engaging program that includes live performances, exhibitions, a publishing platform, and various discussions that incorporate artists, scientists, and systems thinkers.