[2025 Gwangju Attraction] Travel Guide for May 18th Memorial Park (Updated Aug)

Gwangju Metropolitan City is located in the heart of southwestern South Korea, adjacent to South Jeolla Province. It lies between 35°09′ and 35°10′ north latitude and 126°38′ and 127°00′ east longitude, at the intersection of the Noryeong Mountains and the South Jeolla plains. Gwangju has many attractions worth visiting. Here are some of the main ones: History and Culture - May 18th National Cemetery: Located in Seo-gu, Gwangju, this cemetery was built to commemorate the May 18th Democratic Uprising. Inside the park, there are monuments and a memorial hall displaying related historical materials and artifacts. The surrounding scenery is beautiful, with white locust blossoms and purple dianthus blooming together. - Buseoksa Temple: An ancient Buddhist temple with a rich history and cultural heritage. The Buddha statues and murals inside the temple are exquisite, and the architectural style is simple and elegant, creating a strong Buddhist atmosphere. - Hwaeomsa Temple: Built in 544 AD, this temple houses many works of art carved by stonemasons from the Silla Dynasty, such as the magnificent Daeungjeon Hall, the Four Lion Three-Story Stone Pagoda, and the Five-Story Stone Pagoda. It is a typical ancient temple in Korea. Arts and Humanities - Gwangju Art Street: This street is home to many creative and artistic cafes, shops, and studios, as well as various art exhibitions and cultural events. Visitors can experience Gwangju's artistic atmosphere and purchase unique art souvenirs. - Asian Culture Center (ACC): Opened in 2015, the ACC features a unique architectural appearance and complete facilities, including theaters, exhibition halls, and libraries. It regularly hosts various artistic performances, exhibitions, and cultural exchange activities. - Yangnim-dong Penguin Village: This village is filled with an artistic atmosphere, decorated with a large number of old objects such as discarded clocks and toys. There are also many unique cafes and small shops. When the lights come on at night, the colorful scene is quite dreamy. Natural Landscapes - Mudeungsan Mountain: Towering over the east side of Gwangju at an altitude of 1,187 meters, Mudeungsan is a symbol of the city. It offers a panoramic view of Gwangju and boasts beautiful scenery, including scenic spots like Seoseokdae and Ip Seokdae, as well as temples and Buddhist relics such as Jeungsimsa and Wonhyo Temple. - Gwangju Lake Eco Park: Here, you can see various wild flowers, and in the wetland area, you can observe the process of birds hatching and growing. It's a great place to get close to nature and enjoy the natural scenery. - Mudeungsan National Park: With an excellent ecosystem suitable for wildlife such as otters and flying squirrels, this park offers beautiful natural scenery and hiking opportunities. Urban Leisure - 1913 Songjeong Station Market: With nostalgic retro streets and design-conscious signs, this market offers a variety of specialty snacks, handicraft shops, and more. You can experience Gwangju's traditional customs and local life. - Chungjang-ro: Gwangju's commercial street, known as "Little Myeongdong," has many fashionable shops, restaurants, and cafes. It's a popular shopping and leisure spot for young people. - Gwangju World Cup Stadium: One of the venues for the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, this stadium has a unique architectural appearance and complete surrounding facilities, including parks and restaurants. You can experience the World Cup atmosphere and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

#cityplaybook #familytrip #localguides #cityplaybook #postandearn If you’re looking for a place in South Korea that combines powerful history, rich culture, and an ever-growing art scene, Gwangju is the city to discover. Known as the “City of Light” (광주) and a cradle of Korean democracy, Gwangju left a lasting impression on me—not only through its vibrant streets but also through the strength and spirit of its people. I started my journey at the May 18th Memorial Park, a serene yet emotional space dedicated to the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. Walking through the museum and seeing the tributes to the brave citizens who fought for democracy gave me a deep sense of respect. It’s not just a history lesson—it’s a moving reminder of the human cost of freedom. To balance the emotion with creativity, I headed to the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall. Even outside of Biennale season, the art scene here is alive and buzzing. The city embraces modern art like few others in Korea. I explored local galleries, admired public murals, and found hidden cafés that doubled as artist studios. Yangnim-dong Penguin Village was another unexpected gem—a quirky, colorful neighborhood filled with recycled art, penguin statues, and retro Korean nostalgia. Every corner had something unique: old TVs turned into art, vintage posters, handwritten poetry on walls. It felt like walking through a living art project. Of course, no trip is complete without food. Gwangju’s traditional markets, especially Yangdong Market, offer incredible street food. I fell in love with tteok-galbi (grilled short rib patties) and kimchi jeon (savory pancakes)—simple yet full of flavor. Best Time to Visit April to June or September to October – Great weather for walking, art festivals, and historical sites. Helpful Tips Visit May 18th Memorial early in the day for quiet reflection. Wear comfortable shoes—Gwangju is best explored on foot. Try local delicacies unique to the Jeolla region. Location: Gwangju, South Korea #GwangjuSpirit #CityOfLight #KoreanArtScene #DemocracyRoots #PenguinVillageVibes #GwangjuEats #CulturalKorea #May18Memorial #HiddenKorea #SouthKoreaTravel

#Domestic travel #Gwangju travel #Free exhibition 🔆5.18 Memorial Cultural Center 📍Gwangju Seo-gu Naebang-ro 152 5.18 Memorial Cultural Center The 5.18 Democratization Movement Exhibition Hall has a permanent exhibition This time, it was holding an exhibition connected to the Gwangju Biennale This Biennale has 5.18-related exhibitions spread across the Gwangju representative exhibition halls and contains the spirit of the 5.18 Democratization Movement and “Mudeung, which means ‘no grades,’ means fairness. These days, discrimination and unfairness are global issues, so I thought it would melt global and futuristic concerns that are not limited to our country, starting from Gwangju.

#Domestic travel #Gwangju travel #Places to visit in Gwangju 🔆May Memory Storage At the May 18 Cultural Center in Ssangchon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, there is the May Memory Storage, created to commemorate the history and spirit of the Gwangju Democratization Movement in May 1980. This place, which is in collaboration with the May 18 Memorial Foundation, is an exhibition hall established to inherit the values ​​of democracy, human rights, and peace. It introduces the history of democracy, and the history of the democratization movement that took place in Gwangju in May 1980, so it is a good place for those who want to learn more about the Gwangju May 18th Movement.

If you have watched the movie ‘Taxi driver’ or read the book ‘Human acts’, you might be interested in visiting the city of Gwangju on your next trip to South Korea. This here is one of the two main sights dedicated to the Democratic Uprising that happened in 1980. It’s small in comparison to the National Cemetery, but is still definitely worth paying a visit to. There’s a big monument and another one inside the little underground museum. If you read Korean you can learn a lot by reading the stone tablets inside the monument. There was one letter in particular that I found especially touching. I was also lucky with the weather, it happened to be very thematically appropriate. #southkorea #gwangju