The southwest of Korea: the city of Gwangju and South Jeolla province (Jeonnam) — tea fields in Boseong, bamboo forests in Damyang, the port city of Mokpo, Yeosu’s night sea and hundreds of islands. Gwangju-Songjeong is about 2 hours from Seoul by KTX.
Tap a category to show or hide it, move the map, and the cards below list what is in view — with a photo, a short description and directions. 15 food · 162 sights · 36 museums & culture · 2 shopping & markets · 5 walks & activities.
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Top sights in Gwangju & Jeonnam
Jungoe Park중외공원
Jungoe Park is one of the nation’s most famous leisure spaces. There is a children’s grand park, the Olympic Garden, and the Olympic Monument. The children’s grand park is especially popular on weekends and holidays. There is also a folk museum, an education…
52, Haseo-ro, Buk-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Gwangjuho Lake Eco Park광주호 호수생태원
Gwangjuho Lake Eco Park is an ecological park located near the banks of Gwangjuho Lake, featuring a Nature Observation Center, Nature Learning Center, Lawn Area, and Waterside Wetland. The park is home to around 170,000 wildflowers and over 3,000 trees,…
Chunghyo-dong, Buk-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
House of Choi Seung-hyo최승효가옥
The House of Choi Seung-hyo is a traditional residential building located on the southeastern slopes of Yangnimsan Mountain. The rectangular building is open to the east, has 8 kan (the space between two pillars) in the front and 4 kan to the sides, and is…
29-4, Yangchon-gil, Nam-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Lee Jang-woo’s House이장우 가옥
Designated the first Gwangju Folk Material on March 20, 1989, Lee Jang-woo’s House is an upper-class, tile-roofed house with a gate, storeroom, servants’ quarters, detached building, and main building. The building is estimated to have been constructed…
21 Yangchon-gil, Nam-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Geumnam-ro Street금남로
Geumnam-ro Street used to be in the government office quarters, and is now the center of the city’s finacial sphere, with many banks, insurance companies and public offices lining the street. During the May 18 Movement, the citizens gathered at Geumnam-ro…
Geumnan-ro, Dong-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Gwangju Pyeongchon Village광주 평촌마을
Gwangju Pyeongchon Village, located north of Mudeungsan Mountain, is a cozy farming village made up of four villages Dongrim, Daman, Woosung, and Dangmoe. The village still has an excellence natural preservation, growing environmental-friendly rice in the…
15 Pyeongchon-gil, Buk-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Solomon Law Park is a theme park operated by the Ministry of Justice, offering an experiential legal education. Visitors can learn about and experience the law in an easy and entertaining way. The Law Experience Center provides opportunities to experience…
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Chireunsibill치른시빌
Chireunsibill was founded in 2022, offering educational programs and art kits with young artists both online and offline. The educational programs are open to all , and cover a wide genre of art types, from painting to music. It is a popular attraction for…
10 Seoseok-ro 85beon-gil, Dong-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Gossaumnori Theme Park고싸움놀이테마파크
Gossaumnori Theme Park was built over five years to preserve and develop the traditions of Gossaum, a local type of tug-of-war game. The park comprises a training center, video experience hall, folk game experience center, and outdoor performing hall.
2 Gossaum-ro, Nam-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Museums & culture
Gwangju Arts Center광주예술의전당
Opened in 1991, the Gwangju Arts Center is the cornerstone of culture and arts in Gwangju. It offers high-quality performances and exhibitions across various genres, including Korean traditional music, opera, classical music, and ballet. The center boasts a…
60 Bungmun-daero, Buk-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Gwangju Museum of Art광주시립미술관
The Gwangju Museum of Art was founded on August 1, 1992, to promote local artists. In 1996, it served as the venue for the Gwangju Biennale. The museum holds over 560 works, including those from Heo Baekryeon, Oh Jiho, Yang Su-ah, and Im Jik-sun, all local…
52, Haseo-ro, Buk-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Uijae Museum of Korean Art광주 의재미술관
The Uijae Museum of Korean Art was established in memory of the famous Korean artist Heo Baekryeon. Construction of the museum ended in December, 1999, but the museum wasn’t officially opened until November 17, 2001. Built to mimic the curve of a gently…
155 Jeungsimsa-gil, Dong-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Nestled at the foot of Yudalsan Mountain, Hanmir serves Korean dishes such as samhap (fermented skate and steamed pork slices served with kimchi), raw fish caught from the sea, jjim (braised seafood), and royal cuisine such as sinseollo (casserole dish). It…
This is a popular destination for hongeosamhap in Mokpo, a shop offering both Korean skate and imported skate, which tends to be more affordable. You can also sample Indongju, a liquor of choice for former president Kim Dae-jung.
5 Boksan-gil 12beon-gil Mokpo-si Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Mimiwon미미원
Emerging as a leading spot for yukjeon (Pan-fried Battered Beef) in Gwangju, Mimiwon has gained popularity through multiple media features. The restaurant’s traditional hanok building creates a neat atmosphere.
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Gajokhwegwan가족회관
Gajokhwegwan is a Korean table d’hote restaurant with 36 years of tradition. Visitors can experience the charms of Jeolla Province style food that only uses fresh ingredients in season. There are both private rooms and large group seats to enjoy the meal.
50 Dongmyeong-ro, Dong-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · map
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Damyang Apzip담양앞집
This restaurant is famous for serving Damyang tteokgalbi (Grilled Galbi Patties), served alongside noodles. They use local produce and focus on enhancing the ingredients’ natural flavors. When you order tteokgalbi here, it’s presented on a large…
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes)
Myeongpum Jeonbokgung명품전복궁
The restaurant runs its own abalone farm, allowing you to enjoy fresh abalone. The most popular dish, “Jeonbok Hansang” (abalone set menu), serves almost every abalone dish imaginable on a single table. Located in the Wando Traditional Market, the…
This page maps 15 food · 162 sights · 36 museums & culture · 2 shopping & markets · 5 walks & activities in Gwangju & Jeonnam from the official tourism listings — tap a category on the map to see each group with photos and directions.
How do I get to Gwangju & Jeonnam?
The southwest of Korea: the city of Gwangju and South Jeolla province (Jeonnam) — tea fields in Boseong, bamboo forests in Damyang, the port city of Mokpo, Yeosu’s night sea and hundreds of islands. Gwangju-Songjeong is about 2 hours from Seoul by KTX.
Are these recommendations?
No ranking is implied. The places are the ones the Korea Tourism Organization and local tourism boards list in English; check opening hours before you go.
