Things to Do in Gwangju, South Korea: A Travel Guide

Gwangju and the surrounding areas are full of rolling tea fields, gorgeous bamboo forests, tons of grape vineyards, and endless rice fields. It’s, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful areas in all of South Korea. Gwangju is fun because it has a great city life and tons of different modern and cultural things to do but it also has a lot of spots worth enjoying in the countryside as well. And, it’s very close to other popular tourist spots like Damyang and Boseong so you can easily do them all in the same trip! These are all of the best things to do in Gwangju, South Korea.

Things to Do in Gwangju

Asia Cultural Center

The Asia Cultural Center is a large theater complex (most of which is underground). The campus is huge with tons of things worth checking out. There are numerous indoor and outdoor exhibitions, works of art, stunning architecture, children’s play areas, galleries, and even concerts that take place here! There are also a few different cafes inside the complex that are worth checking out. You could easily spend an hour or two here just exploring. If you’re lucky, there just might even be a live band playing when you stop by!

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Penguin Village

The Penguin Village was one of my favorite spots in Gwangju. It’s super random and filled with kitschy decor and fun photo spots. There are even a couple of cafes with penguin-themed food and drinks! All of the locals in this Village were super friendly and loved making conversation about where I was from and what I was doing in South Korea. The Penguin Village is definitely a must-see when you’re in Gwangju!

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Dwinggul Cave

Dwinggul Cave might not be quite what you expect! It’s located right in the middle of the city and from the outside, you might never know that it’s even a cave at all. It’s really just a small tunnel that you can walk in and right back out. Just watch out for the “bats” while you’re in there (don’t worry, they’re fake!). It might not be the most exciting attraction but it’s definitely unique!

Gwangju Park

Gwangju Park is a serene, peaceful area right in the middle of the city. The park itself is designed in the shape of a turtle! It’s not a huge park but it’s full of flowers, trees, and shaded areas making it a popular relaxation spot. At Gwangju Park you will also find a Memorial Pavilion, Citizen Hall, and the Gwangju Folk Museum.

Sajik Park / Guitar Street

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Guitar Street is just a small dedication to musicians. There are multiple music and guitar-themed cafes located on this street as well as many fun works of art! Just up the hill, in Sajik Park, is an observation tower. The tower provides amazing views over the city day or night, and admission is free! And, it’s right up the street from Gwangju Park so you can easily head here right after.

Soswaewon Garden

Soswaewon Garden is a beautiful traditional Korean garden. It seemed to be a very popular spot for couples and families enjoying a stroll past the bamboo forest or a picnic by the water. There were beautiful flowers and trees all along the stream; such a great place to enjoy nature! And, admission to the garden was only 2,000 KRW (less than 2 USD). The gardens are surrounded by many other cultural sites, temples, and museums which you could easily do in the same trip.

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Dongmyeong-dong Cafe Street

The Dongmyeong-dong Cafe Street is more of a neighborhood than an actual street. The cafes are all spread out but there are tons to choose from. Two of my favorite cafes on the Dongmyeong-dong Cafe Street would have to be Cafe Yann and A Fragrant House. They both have a great, chill atmosphere.

Youth Balsan Village

The Youth Balsan Village is a small, colorful neighborhood full of art and amazing photo spots. There are murals on almost all of the building walls, small gardens spread throughout the neighborhood, and numerous different sculptures all around. The entire village is one huge work of art!

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Gwangju Family Land / Uchi Park

Gwangju Family Land, also called Uchi Park, is basically part amusement park and part carnival. There are multiple roller coasters, dozens of other fun rides (including a train!), and so many different carnival games. Not only that, but there’s also a small zoo, a botanical garden, and even an ice rink and swimming pool. It’s the largest amusement park in all of Jeollanam-do!

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Other Things in Gwangju Worth Checking Out:

• Gwangju Folk Museum
• Daewonsa Temple
• Gyubongam Hermitage
• Jeungsimsa Temple
• DAEIN Market
• May 18th Memorial Park

Where to Eat in Gwangju

Burger Bridge

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Burger Bridge is located in the perfect neighborhood for a night out. There were tons of restaurants, cafes, and shops nearby. The burgers here were great and so was the chocolate milkshake! The staff was super friendly and welcoming; I would definitely go again next time I’m in Gwangju!

Waffle King

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Waffle King was such a great find in Gwangju! We tried their strawberries & cream waffle (highly recommend!) and their bananas & cream waffle. They have more than just sweets though, they even have waffle sandwiches which are perfect for lunch!

Other Great Spots:

• Whipping the Egg
• Figaro
• Smokey Ribs Barbecue & Grill
• Cafe the VIEW
• Rainbow Beer

Where to Stay in Gwangju

Hotel Yoegi Joa

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Hotel Yoegi Joa is affordable (less than $50/night!), centrally located, and the rooms were very clean and comfortable. Check-in was super simple and the staff was very friendly. It’s one of the few hotels in Korea where there was actually plenty of parking space too which was great!

For more info or to book a room, click here.

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