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(Dong-gu)


Gwangju(Seo-gu)

Macheollu is a popular Chinese cuisine restaurant, especially for familiy and friend gatherings. The restaurant also has “couple” menus for young couples.


Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Gwangju Design Biennale is hosting with the theme of ‘Design x Shin Myeong’ for 30 consecutive days. This year’s festival aims to find new designs for the future and suggest ways to interpret futuristic designs. Visitors will be able to learn how the design changes the daily life through various exhibitions.


Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Gwangju Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years. Taking place in 2014, the event marks 10th anniversay and will celebrate the importance of being together though the theme of “Burning Down the House (터전을 불태우라).” It will bring together many different people, different times, various roles in arts production, and numerous different positions toward power such as exist  in various social, political, and cultural situations. The biennale consists of an exhibition, several workshops, e-journals, books, and various programs such as residency programs and new commissions. [About the 2014's theme] Burning Down the Houseexplores the process of burning and transformation, a cycle of obliteration and renewal witnessed throughout history. Evident in aesthetics, historical events, and an increasingly rapid course of redundancy and renewal in commercial culture, the Biennale reflects on this process of, often violent, events of destruction or self-destruction―burning the home one occupies―followed by the promise of the new and the hope for change. In the 1930s the critic Walter Benjamin coined the term ‘Tigersprung’ (the tiger’s leap) for a new model of history where the past is activated in and through the present within a culture industry that demands constant renewal. What can the ‘Tigerspung’ mean for today’s ‘tiger economies’ like South Korea in a context where economic and political powers deliver the eternally new of fashionable commodities and industrial progress at the apparent expense of a cultural past? Burning Down the House looks at the spiral of rejection and revitalization that this process implies. The theme highlights the capacity of art to critique the establishment through an exploration that includes the visual, sound, movement and dramatic performance. At the same time, it recognises the possibility and impossibility within art to deal directly and concretely with politics. The energy, the materiality and processes of burning ― the manner in which material is changed and destroyed by flames into the residue of dramatic interventions or remnants of celebrations ― have long informed artistic practice. The transformative powers of fire are central to the way in which this exhibition has been imagined. -Courtesy of Gwangju Biennale Foundation  


Gwangju(Dong-gu)

This hanok (traditional Korean house) guesthouse is located in a quiet residential area in Sansu-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju. There are four rooms in total, all with ondol (under-the-floor heating system). Seoseokdae and Jungmeorijae rooms can accommodate up to 4, while Jangbuljae and Ipseokdae rooms have a maximum occupancy of 3. Reservations are made for one guest, and guests under age 5 can stay free of charge. Each room has an attached bathroom and is equipped with a refrigerator. A common washing machine is located in the outer restroom. Breakfast features a pumpkin porridge made by the owner. There are no separate parking spaces in the building, but visitors can use the public parking lot nearby. Traditional cultural programs offered on site include natural dye, rice cake making, hand mirror making with pressed flowers, sweet rice balls/puffs making, succulent plant pot making, candle making, and fan making.


Gwangju(Gwangsan-gu)

Wolbongseowon Confucian Academy (built in 1578, the 11th year of King Seonjo) was established to honor Ki Daeseung's study and virtue by Kim Gyehwi and other confucian scholars through Mangcheonsa Shrine in Sanwol-ri, Bia-myeon, Gwangsan-gun. The location of the confucian academy was moved to its current site in 1646 (the 24th year of King Injo) and the name 'Wolbong' was made by King Hyojong in 1654. In 1671, Bak Sang and Bak Sun's shrines were placed from Deoksansa Shrine by suggestions of Song Siyeol. Also, Kim Jangsaeng and Kim Jip's shrines were additionally placed in 1673. Unfortunately, the confucian academy was abolished due to the abolition policy of Daewongun in 1868 (the 5th year of King Gojong). Later, Bingwoldang Confucian Academy, comprised of five rooms, was built by Jeollanam-do's Confucian scholars in 1983. In addition, Gojiksa Shrine comprised of four rooms in 1972, Jangpangak Pavillion comprised of three rooms and Oesammun Gate in 1978, Sau in 1980 and Naesammun Gate in 1981 were established in order. Bingwoldang is desigated as Gwangju Monument No. 9 and woodblocks of Gobongjip (a collection of works of Gobong) are preserved in Jangpangak Pavilion.      


Gwangju(Gwangsan-gu)

Located in Gwangju City, the Banana Hotel offers various convenient services including 24-hour room service and a clean environment. All the guestrooms are well-equipped, including WiFi, and the hotel provides foreign language services, too. As the hotel is only 10 minutes’ drive from Mudeungsan Mountain National Park, many tourists visit the area. In addition, the hotel is just ten minutes’ drive from the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall and 20 minutes’ drive from Metasequoia Road and the Juknokwon Bamboo Garden in Damyang County.


Gwangju(Gwangsan-gu)


Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Yeongmi Oritang has been serving up duck stew (oritang) to the community for over 80 years. Made with ground perilla seeds, soybean paste, chili powder, garlic, and other carefully selected ingredients, the duck is boiled in an earthen pot and seasoned with ginseng, jujube, and water parsley to suit each customer's individual tastes. The dish is served with kimchi side dishes, which are said to enhance the flavor of the duck meat. Since duck is known to be effective in treating liver and geriatric diseases, the restaurant is popular not only for its delicious flavors, but also for the health benefits of its food.