One step closer to Gwangju

One step closer to Gwangju

 

Photo: Chungjangno Street

The opening of the high-speed KTX Honam Line rail enables passengers to travel from Seoul to Gwangju in just under two hours. Due to its greater accessibility, the city has become the next hottest day-trip destination for tourists, both domestic and international. Gwangju, proudly calling itself a hub of culture and arts, awaits visitors to come and enjoy all its colors, flavors, and arts.

Also coming this July 3 to 14 is the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade, which will be a great chance to show the beauty of this southern city to visitors from around the world.

A city in love with art and culture

2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade Main Stadium

Photo credit: Gwangju City HallThe 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade Main Stadium deserves to be added to the top of your must-see list when visiting Gwangju. Gwangju World Cup Stadium was originally built in 2002 for the FIFA World Cup, and can accommodate more than 40,000 spectators. After the World Cup, it was transformed into a multi-purpose stadium, and is now getting itself ready to become a venue for track and field events, and also the opening and closing ceremonies of this year’s universiade. While you’re there, Lotte Preumium Outlets - Gwangju World Cup Branch is a good place to enjoy shopping between the games.

☞ Address:  240 Geumhwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
☞ Directions: Ssangchon Station (Gwangju Subway Line 1). Take a taxi after exiting the station (10 min).

Chungjang-ro Street

Chungjang-ro Street is by far the busiest, most bustling place in Gwangju, and is often labeled the Myeong-dong of Gwangju.

With various fashion stores, beauty shops and restaurants all in one place, the street has formed itself into a hot shopping destination. The main streets are lined with global brands and crowded with fashion-savvy shoppers. The main street and hidden narrow alleys are dotted with coffee shops and small stores, adding a unique, cozy touch to its landscape.

Chungjang-ro 1 (il) to 3 (sam)-ga Streets contain a large clothing fashion mall, and the streets of Chungjang-ro 4 (sa) to 5 (oh)-ga are lined with traditional costume shops that sell hanbok, the traditional clothing of Korea.

☞ Address: 1-1 Geumnamno 5-ga, Dong-gu, Gwangju
☞ Directions: Culture Complex Station (Gwangju Subway Line 1), Exit 3

Gwangju Art Street

Gwangju Art Street is for those looking to see the traditional and artistic side of Gwangju. The street showcases an event called Butterfly, Let's Go to Gung-dong. The event, located on Gwangju Art Street, is just a 10-minute walk from Chungjang-ro, and held every Friday starting at 3:00 p.m. until November 6, 2015.

It displays traditional dances, pottery, and traditional fans, offering a variety of experiences to visitors. These performances and programs are offered either for free or at a low cost. If you want to see the festivities properly, we recommend you visit on a Friday or Saturday, as a lot of shops are closed on Sundays.

☞ Address: Area of Gung-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju
☞ Directions: Geumnamno 4-ga Station (Gwangju Subway Line 1), Exit 4. The entrance to Gwangju Art Street is approximately 200 m northeast of the station.

Sajik Park (Gwangju) Observation Tower

Sajik Park (Gwangju) houses a popular observation tower that overlooks the city of Gwangju. The observation deck at the top allows visitors to use binoculars for free to really take in the panoramic view of Gwangju.

At nightfall, more visitors flock to the observation tower to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking nightscape views of the city. Going down the stairs and through a showroom in the tower, you can see old photographs of Gwangju that have captured history of this city.

☞ Address: 49 Sajik-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju
☞ Directions: Culture Complex Station (Gwangju Subway Line 1), Exit 3. The park is located about 800 m southwest of the station.
☞ Observatory operating hours: 09:00-22:00

Asian Culture Complex

Asian Culture Complex is a multi-purpose cultural facility that combines an underground structure with an above-ground park area. Even from within the interior of the underground structure, one can see the outside scenery, making it a popular and unique attraction for visitors. The building is illuminated with lights at night, giving its unique design an added enticement.

Asian Culture Complex officially opens this September, and some facilities are also scheduled to open as the Summer Universiade kicks off.

☞ Address: 38 Munhwajeondang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju
☞ Directions: Culture Complex Station (Gwangju Subway Line 1)

Gwangju Family Land

Gwangju Family Land is a place for Gwangju citizens to let off some steam amidst some beautiful scenery. The place is full of roller coasters as well as gorgeous scenes made by millions of LED light sculptures, such as the Eiffel Tower, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, and over 100 other representations of global landmarks. There is also a popular heart-shaped tunnel with a pumpkin carriage, just like from the story of Cinderella. It’s a great place for fun in the day and photo ops at night.

☞ Address: 677 Uchi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju
☞ Website: 광주패밀리랜드.com/ (Korean only)
☞ Directions: Hwajeong Station (Gwangju Metro Line 1), Exit 4.
- Walk 200 m north from the exit along Hwaun-ro (화운로).
- Get on local bus Pungam 26 heading north.
- Get off after 25 stops at Uchi Park Bus Stop (우치공원정류장).
- Cross the street and walk about 700 m west to reach Family Land.
☞ Operating hours: Sunset - 22:00
☞ Admission fee: 6,000 won (Rides charged separately)

Must-Taste Spots of Gwangju!

Songjeong Tteok-galbi

Songjeong Tteok-galbi Alley is only a 5-minute walk from Gwangju Songjeong Station, where a number of tteok-galbi restaurants are all packed into one place. Tteok-galbi is a grilled meat patty that is finely minced and seasoned, a traditional food still very popular today.

Restaurants serving the dish are lined up here, and use a mixture of both beef and pork to give added smoothness and texture to the dish. Recipes vary depending on which restaurant you visit. Some may only sell tteok-galbi made either of beef or pork, but not both. Grilled tteok-galbi is commonly served on top of steamed rice, but it tastes even better when taken with bibimbap.

☞ Address: Area of Gwangsan-ro or Songjeong-ro, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju
☞ Directions: Gwangju Songjeong Station (Gwangju Subway Line 1), Exit 1. The street is located about 300 m northeast of the station.
☞ Price: Tteok-galbi (per serving) 11,000-22,000 won / Bibimbap 6,000-7,000 won

Lettuce Wrapped Fritters

If you are visiting Gwangju for the first time, then you really should try lettuce and fritters (deep fried bits of food). Eating this fried food and making it into a lettuce wrap dipped in soy sauce is a typical way to take in the city of Gwangju like a local.

Common food used for fritters includes onions, bell peppers, as well as French fries and other items. The lettuce leaves take away all the greasy feel of the food but retain the delicious taste. Adding some tteokbokki (rice-cakes in red-pepper sauce) and jjolmyeon (spicy cold chewy noodles) is a common way to add some delicious flavor as well. This dish is sold almost everywhere in Gwangju, but is particularly easy to find at Jinseutong (진스통) or Seoul Gimbap (서울김밥) over on Chungjang-ro Street. Prices range from 4,000 to 5,000 won per serving.

Gwangju Kimchi Town

Gwangju is home to a rich and abundant natural environment, and as such, is famous for having some of the richest tasting food in the country. It even hosts a kimchi festival each year.

If you want to learn the history of kimchi and add to your experience of Gwangju, be sure to check out Gwangju Kimchi Town, where you can find a kimchi museum, a kimchi-making area, and all kinds of other kimchi-related attractions. There are a variety of experiential activities as well, such as videos about kimchi and even making your own kimchi. Visitors can also take their own kimchi home to eat later. The kimchi experiential programs require advanced bookings, and a minimum of 10 participants are required to run the classes.

☞ Address: 60 Kimchi-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju
☞ Website: kimchitown.gwangju.go.kr (Korean only)
☞ Directions: Songjeong Station (Gwangju Metro Line 1), Exit 1
- Get on local bus Jinwol 75 at the bus stop 60 m north of the exit.
- Get off after 19 stops at Majae Post Office Bus Stop (마재우체국정류장).
- Cross the road and walk back about 100 m to catch local bus Jinwol 78 heading southwest.
- Get off after 13 stops at Gwangju Kimchi Town (광주김치타운).
☞ Operating hours: 09:00-18:00 (Closed on Mondays and New Year’s Day)
☞ Admission fee: Free for museum / 10,000 won for Kimchi Experience Program
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

More Info

☞ Transportation (from Seoul to Gwangju)
- Train: KTX Seoul Yongsan Station → Gwangju Songjeong Station (Fare: 46,800 won / Time: 1 hr 50 min)
- KORAIL website: www.letskorail.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Website: Gwangju Tourist Information utour.gwangju.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

*This column was last updated on June 2015, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details from the official website before visiting.

 

 

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