Gwangju(Gwangsan-gu)

Songjeong Station Market was opened in 1913, in connection with the opening of Gwangju-Songjeong Station. For many years, the market was the go-to-place for necessary items and produce, but with the increase of large marts in the 1990s, people began to visit traditional markets less and less. In order to increase the liveliness of Songjeong Station Market and showcase the difference between large marts and a traditional market, the entire space was redesigned around the theme of time. The newly redesigned 1913 Songjeong Station Market, located just across the street from Gwangju-Songjeong KTX Station, has a bright appearance with modern-styled architecture and signboards detailing the history of the various shops. Visitors can enjoy all the classic market foods here, such as hotteok (hot griddle cakes), gyeran bap (rice with egg), and eomuk (fisk cake).


Gwangju(Seo-gu)

Located in the new center of culture in downtown Gwangju (also known as ‘Little Europe’) Firenze Hotel is a quality hotel with state-of-the-art facilities and a tasteful European interior decor emphasizing ‘smooth and modern design.’ The banquet room called ‘Althea’ (the national flower of Korea) is a great place for important meeting between friends, family, or business colleagues.


Gwangju(Seo-gu)

Mugaksa Temple, originally located in Yeouisan mountain, was a place where soldiers from Sangmu Military School went for peace and harmony. When Sangmu Military School relocated and part of Yeouisan Mountain became a 5.18 Memorial Park, the temple's location became part of the Park. Mugaksa Temple's location within the downtown area of Sangmu new town, Gwangju's biggest financial and administration district, puts it at a similar level as Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul as an urban Buddhism Temple. There are book café, lotus gallery, and traditional tea house "Sarangche" within the temple, breaking down the image of religion and adding more culture and arts to a place where citizens can go to meet and relax. "Treasure Island" Flee Market opens every Saturday, evolving it from European style to more Korean style market. The temple continues to receive interest as a tourist attraction and an educational place for students.


Gwangju(Dong-gu)

Held every October, the 7080 Chungjang Recollection Festival is one of Gwangju’s most representative festivals. The festival theme is the 1970s and 80s and creating a nostalgic atmosphere with various performances, exhibitions, and hands-on programs.During the festival, the streets in the venue are made to be similar to the scene of 70s and 80s. The 7080 Chungjang Recollection Festival hosts various programs such as a street parade, alumni reunions, intangible cultural asset performances, and more. 


Gwangju(Nam-gu)

Gwangju Kimchi Town is dedicated to kimchi, Korea's representative food. Visitors have the opportunity to not only learn about the history and culture of kimchi but also experience making this dish first-hand. Another popular program available is the kimchi tasting experince, with a variety of kimchi kept fresh and ready to eat through a HACCP-certified system.


Gwangju(Seo-gu)


Gwangju(Gwangsan-gu)

This restaurant specializes in black dubu (tofu) dishes like heukdubu bossam (steamed pork with black dubu), heukdubu tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork with black dubu), and biji pajeon (spring onion and dubu curd pancake). It is particularly famous for its heukdubu made in the traditional way using black beans and bossam dishes. The steamed pork with dubu nicely combines the softness of black dubu and the chewiness of the pork. A slice of steamed pork and some old kimchi are eaten together with the nutty black dubu. The old kimchi, seasoned vegetables, mustard leaf kimchi, fresh green peppers and traditional doenjang are delicious with a deep flavor of the Namdo region. Those who don’t enjoy meat can order heukdubu (black dubu), which is still warm right out of the mold. Enjoy the dubu with the dressing flavored with various seasonings and vegetables.


Gwangju(Seo-gu)

The Yangdong Market started in the 1910s as a traditional market held on the 2nd and 7th of every month on the white sand beach under Gwangjugyo Bridge. In the 1940s, the market moved to its current location, and was renovated to become the marketplace we know and love today.Covering an area of approximately 1,253㎡, the Yangdong Market is the largest traditional market in the Honam Region (the Southwestern region of Korea). There are four buildings in total and 340 stores selling a variety of items including fruit and vegetables, seafood, manufactured goods, and more. Yangdong Market is especially famous for its Jesa products (those related to Korean ancestral memorial service) and quality items for newly-weds. The market closes on every first and third Sunday from April to September but is open every day from October to March.During the May 18th Democratization Movement, both Yangdong and Daein markets were a grand venue where the citizens of Gwangju gathered together to rally for democratization of the nation. Merchants of the markets provided food, beverages, and medicine to the protestors and participated in the movement alongside their fellow citizens. One of the most well-known places in Yangdong market is Hana Bunsik (Noh Moo-hyun Gukbab) restaurant. It started to become famous after the late President Noh visited the restaurant on Dec.14th, 2002, just 5 days before the presidential election. 


Gwangju(Dong-gu)

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 Steet and marched together to express their sadness and give support for the sublimation of the nation. In modern times, the street serves as a meeting space for citizens, with an underground shopping mall and a plaza beneath a fountain, where events and performances freely take place. * Total length: 2.3㎞


Gwangju(Nam-gu)

Yangnim History & Culture Village is located in the area where Western items and ideas first entered Gwangju over 100 years ago. As such, the neighborhood has a unique collection of Western architecture mixed with traditional hanok houses. There are also many houses of Christian missionaries, who facilitated the advancement of medicine and education in Gwangju. Some areas such as Penguin Village have been decorated with murals and outdoor exhibitions to promote art and tourism, helping the elderly locals to make a living.