Yangnim-dong Missionary Cemetery (양림동 선교사 묘지)

15.5Km 2021-05-28

77, Jejung-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-607-2333

The Yangnim-dong Missionary Cemetery is the final resting place of 23 missionaries who brought Christianity to Gwangju and led the movement to free the nation from under Japanese colonial rule. Yangnim-dong in Gwangju Metropolitan City was the main area in which Priest Bae Yu-ji and Dr. Clement Owen carried out their work as the first missionaries to Jeollanam-do.

Located nearby is a monument dedicated to Priest Bae Yu-ji and the Owen Memorial Building, built in honor of Dr. Owen and his grandfather. Both memorials are cultural assets and particularly prized by locals of the Christian faith.

Gwangju Kimchi Festival (광주김치축제)

15.6Km 2025-07-09

111 Naebang-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-613-3955

The Gwangju Kimchi Festival is Korea’s representative kimchi festival, offering a variety of kimchi products for purchase and the chance to taste various kimchi dishes. Highlights include the “Thousand People’s Table” featuring diverse kimchi cuisine, a competition to discover kimchi masters, and a kimchi experience school with a range of engaging programs.

10y Ground (10년후그라운드)

15.6Km 2024-11-14

1 Yangchon-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju

Originally a sports complex, the 10y Ground has transformed into a dynamic cultural hub offering educational opportunities, community programs, and a range of unique initiatives. It also provides space for diverse services, including food, beverages, and lifestyle options. Visitors can enjoy various cultural and art programs and shop for locally produced goods and souvenirs.

Owen Memorial Hall (오웬기념각)

15.7Km 2024-11-12

6 Baekseo-ro 70beon-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-650-7647

The Owen Monument and Memorial Hall is located inside the Christian College of Nursing. The monument was erected in 1914 in memory of missionary Clement Owen who, together with Priest Bae Yoo-ji, was the first missionary to come to Jeollanam-do. The monument was built using the 4,200 dollars collected by Owen’s relatives in the USA after Owen died as a martyr in Gwangju.

Clement Owen came to Yangnim-dong, Gwangju in the 1900s and served as a missionary and medical volunteer with his wife, who was a nurse, before dying of exhaustion and overwork in 1909. Owen had hoped to build a memorial hospital in honor of his grandfather, but died before his plan was materialized. The plaque hanging in the hall honors both men in English and Chinese, reading, “In Memory of William L. and Clement C. Owen.”

A Western-style building with a total footage of around 1,435 meters squared (including the annex building), the monument is said to have been used as chapel and assembly room. Today, the building serves as the auditorium of the Christian College of Nursing. The white, two-story building features a lectern in one corner, with two columns of pews facing the lectern. The second floor balcony stretches along the two walls opposite the lectern.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm – movie “Love, Lies,”
In the film, So-yul and Yeon-hee come here to see the renowned singer Lee Nan-young perform. Owen Memorial Hall has a history as a venue for Christian gatherings, lectures, concerts, graduation ceremonies, and various cultural events in the region. Today, it continues to serve as a space for both religious and cultural gatherings.

Missionary Wilson's House (우일선 선교사 사택)

15.7Km 2024-12-04

20 Jejung-ro 47beon-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-607-2333

Missionary Wilson’s House is a two-story brick building that sits upon the eastern foothills of Yangnimsan Mountain. Known as the oldest surviving Western-style house in Gwangju, the house is an icon of modern culture and architecture in Korea. The house was built by an American missionary named Wilson in the 1920s (exact date unknown) and was the home of the Wilson family while they stayed in Korea. When the family completed their work in Korea, they sold the house for a very cheap price with the stipulation that the house continued to be used for missionary purposes. The house fell into the possession of the General Assembly of Chonnam Presbyterian Church of Korea in 1986 and now serves as the home office for the Presbyterian Church of Korea.

The square-shaped house consists of a living room, a family room, a kitchen, and a bathroom (1F), several bedrooms (2F), and storage areas and a boiler room (B1). The fact that the entrance of the house faces east is said to be a result of the prevailing architectural culture of Korea at that time. A Netherland-style house built with 55-milimeter thick, gray bricks, the first and second stories are delineated on the exterior with an eye-catching band of bricks.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - TV series "Hymn of Death"
Here, Woo-jin (played by Lee Jong Suk), Sim-deok (played by Shin Hye-sun), and their troupe rehearsed for their play in "Hymn of Death." The Western-style building, framed by a lush forest backdrop, offers an exotic and picturesque setting.

Art Polygon Horanggassinamu (호랑가시나무 아트폴리곤)

15.8Km 2025-02-04

22 Jejung-ro 47beon-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju

Located in Yangnim-dong, Art Polygon Horanggasinamu is a multi-purpose cultural space that hosts various programs such as exhibitions, lectures, and performances. In 2021, it was used as one of the venues for the Gwangju Biennale. The space was created by preserving and expanding the original structure of a missionary's garage. Yangnim-dong is home to many modern historical cultural heritage sites and art galleries that connects the past and the present.

LEEKANGHA Art Museum (이강하미술관)

15.8Km 2024-11-14

6 3·1manseundong-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju

The LEEKANGHA Art Museum, opened in 2018, offers a range of exhibitions, educational programs, and a research center. Visitors can explore the life and art world of Lee Kang-ha in different eras through various exhibitions and gain a deeper understanding of art with performances and educational programs. The museum aims to foster empathy and communication to enrich cultural knowledge by using diverse art-culture experience programs.

De Young Museum (드영미술관)

15.9Km 2024-10-10

6 Seongchon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju

De Young Museum is an art gallery located at the entrance to Mudeungsan National Park. The gallery opened in 2018 with the concept of being "forever young" and aims to develop the local culture scene through connections with the local community.

Stay Hwangryong[Korea Quality] / 스테이황룡 [한국관광 품질인증]

15.9Km 2024-10-30

5-3, Haengbok 1-gil, Hwangnyong-myeon, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-7142-5646

Stay Hwangryong is a tranquil hanok accommodation where the Hwangryonggang River flows in front. The hanok surrounded by a low stone wall is divided into two sections: Sarangchae and Anchae. The broad yard with flowering trees add more beauty to the landscape. The guest rooms of Stay Hwangryong include Hwangryong, good for six guests, Sarangchae 1 and 2 that are both good for two travelers, and a Maru that is the equivalent of a living room. The modern hanok retains the traditional beauty, while having added the convenience of modern facilities. Bright lightings on the ceiling and glass windows dressed in white curtains that replaced hanji give a more trendy look. Individual heating system per room, WiFi, and air conditioning are provided. The kitchen is equipped with a rice cooker, induction cooktop, and other kitchenware for those who wish to cook during the stay. Each room has a barbecue grill for guests to enjoy. The yard with plentiful sunlight is good for small gatherings, such as family gatherings and birthday parties.

Mugaksa Temple (무각사)

15.9Km 2021-09-10

230, Uncheon-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-383-0108

Nestled at the foot of Yeouisan Mountain in the business center of Gwangju, Mugaksa Temple is an urban Buddhist Temple. Unlike other urban Buddhist Temples, Mugaksa Temple has all the elements of a traditional temple. The temple is used as a cultural resting area and artistic spot for meetings without any religious barrier. The temple is also the starting point of the 2 kilometer walking trail to the 5.18 Memorial Park, leading to a constant flow of visitors.

Yangnim-dong Missionary Cemetery (양림동 선교사 묘지) - Area information - Korea travel information