Owen Memorial Hall (오웬기념각)

1.8Km 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)

1.8Km 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)

1.9Km 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)

1.9Km 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.

YODAMN (요담엔)

2.1Km 2024-12-20

39-2 Jami-ro 66beon-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju

YODAMN is a Gwangju-based Company redefining Korea’s fermented traditions. It is known for its premium rice nuruk, a traditional Korean fermentation starter, and products like Yoando yogurt, a malted yogurt and Yomakkey, a makgeolli kit. The company is engaged in research, liquor development, and provides consultation services. Additionally, it offers unique experiences, such as one-day traditional liquor brewing classes, and sells its uniquely developed products. It is a great place for visitors to experience the Gwangju local traditional liquor culture.

Malbaujeong Market (말바우장 / 말바우시장 (2, 4, 7, 9일))

2.1Km 2023-11-20

62 Dongmun-daero 85beon-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-262-4082

Malbaujeong Market is one of the main traditional markets in the northern region of Gwangju. The market is held on dates ending in 2, 4, 7, or 9.

Chonnam National University Museum (전남대학교 박물관)

2.3Km 2025-01-02

77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju

The Cheonnam National University Museum showcases a variety of domestic and international works on history, anthropology, culture, and folklore, along with providing research materials. Initially established as a research center for the faculty and students, the museum has evolved into its current form since 2002. Visitors can explore exhibitions on diverse topics and immerse themselves in different cultures at the learning center of the museum.

Cheongchun Balsan Village (청춘발산마을)

2.3Km 2024-10-22

12-16 Cheonbyeonjwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju

Balsan Village is a representative neighborhood of Gwangju and is a prime example of how something amazing can come out of something bad. First settled by Korean war refugees, the small houses jam-packed on a hillside attracted young people looking for work in the 1970s and '80s, mainly females working in the garment factories nearby. Recently, the addition of colorful murals and public spaces has given the village a breath of new life.

Coboc (커볶)

2.6Km 2024-02-13

161-7 Jiho-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Coboc, established in 2006, is a café located near the Jisan Recreation Area at the base of Mudeungsan Mountain. This café is particularly known for its stunning views, especially during sunset. Among its signature offerings are the Mudeungsan Gureum Coffee, a unique cheese cream coffee, and a bagel with chives and bacon. The Mudeungsan Gureum Coffee is distinctively topped with a white, soft cheese cream, reminiscent of the clouds that grace the mountain.

Hotel Mudeung Park (무등파크호텔)

2.7Km 2021-02-01

14-10, Jiho-ro 164beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-226-0011

Opened in 2004, Hotel Mudeung Park is located at the foot of Mudeungsan Mountain. Situated in a leisure town measuring an impressive 495,000 m², the hotel is one of the representative hotels of Gwangju and is known for its high-quality facilities and services.

In addition to its posh guestrooms, Hotel Mudeung Park offers a myriad of facilities including a convention hall, a banquet hall, a business center, restaurants, a wine bar, a driving range, a bowling alley, and an observatory with a panoramic view of downtown Gwangju.

Owen Memorial Hall (오웬기념각) - Area information - Korea travel information