Gwangju is a city filled with history in South Korea. The southwestern city is located in the middle of the Jeollanam-do region, home to good food and gorgeous destinations. Because of its location, Gwangju is also a perfect spot for a base camp should you be interested in taking day trips to various regions of Jeollanam-do.
Here’s what you can do while you’re in Gwangju!
Travelling to Gwangju from Seoul
There are several ways to travel to Gwangju from Seoul:
By Bus
You can take a direct bus from the Express Bus Terminal in Seoul which will take around 4hrs. You can read our Sokcho Travel Guide for more details on travelling to cities via bus.
By Train
A simpler option is to take the KTX train from Seoul station which cuts the travel time by half, so you’ll essentially reach Gwangju within 2 hours. Tickets can be pre-booked online via this website.
By Car
You can also rent a car and drive down to Gwangju yourself, stopping by rest stops along the way. The time taken will be similar to a bus ride, which is roughly 4 to 4.5 hours.
Things To Do in Gwangju
Learn About Gwangju’s History at Jeonil Building 245
Known as the home of the democratization movement in Korea, one of Gwangju’s most significant events takes place in 1980, from May 18 to 27 when locals demonstrated against the martial law government.
Jeonil Building 245 is a great place to learn more about 5.18, as there’s a memorial hall on the 10th floor depicting the events in detail. You’ll also find out about the special yet dark meaning behind the number 245.
We recommend allocating around 1.5 to 2 hours here. Once you’re done with the various exhibitions, head up the rooftop for an aerial view of Gwangju.
Chill At Asia Culture Center
The Asia Culture Center, or ACC, is a huge space in the heart of Gwangju. Spend an afternoon chilling in the sun, or head into the library to relive your university days. Inside, you’ll even find a mini bamboo forest that’s flooded with natural light despite being located on Basement 3.
During our time of visit, we even managed to visit a massive Yue Minjun Exhibition featuring his contemporary art pieces.
Explore Penguin Village
No, there aren’t real penguins over at Penguin Village. The name ‘penguin’ was derived from the way elderly folk walk due to their knee pain which resembles the way penguins walk. (don’t worry – it’s all done in good faith)
With so many penguin murals over at Penguin Village, the tiny little neighbourhood has become an attraction among locals and foreigners for photos. You’ll also find backdrop-worthy walls filled with clocks, and hidden corners decorated with items from the past.
You can also buy a bag of Penguin Bread to complete your experience in Penguin Village! If you like taking photos, 1.5 hours should be enough time to explore the village.
Get A View of Gwangju on The Mudeungsan Monorail
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For a thrilling time, head up the mountains on a ski lift near Mudeungsan. Firstly, you can either choose to hike your way up to the monorail starting point or take a ski lift up. However, do note that the hike will take around 1.5hrs to 2hrs, varying from person to person.
The slow monorail ride offers you a bird’s eye view of the surrounding mountains and the city of Gwangju. Might not be the best activity for those afraid of heights though.
Make Your Own Kimchi at Kimchi Town
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Kimchi is no doubt one of Korea’s most representative foods. In Gwangju, Kimchi Town is where you can learn everything about the iconic fermented dish. Understand the different types of kimchi over at the kimchi museum or try your hand at making your own kimchi. Don’t worry, even if you don’t understand Korean, the process is relatively easy to follow.
Explore Jeollanam-do
Gwangju is a great place to kickstart your Jeollanam-do journey! Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing more things to do in South Jeolla Province, so do keep a lookout by following us on our socials. In the mean time, here are some articles to help with your next Korea trip:
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