May 18th National Cemetery (5·18 기념공원)

6.9Km 2024-02-29

152 Naebang-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-376-5197

May 18th National Cemetery is a park established to commemorate the democratization movement that took place in Gwangju in May 18th, 1980. The park features facilities such as the May 18th Memorial Culture Center, Daedong Plaza, Gwangju Student Movement Memorial Tower, memorial spaces, and the Oweol Pavilion. It serves as a meaningful space for reflecting on the history of Korean democracy and honoring the sacrificial spirit of the martyrs who lost their lives during the democratization movement.

Pyeongchon Ceramics Workshop (평촌도예공방)

6.9Km 2024-11-14

77 Damanpyeongmu-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju

The Pyeongchon Ceramics Workshop keeps the spirit of traditional Korean Buncheong pottery alive by offering an experiential learning space and hands-on programs that blend classic Korean and contemporary styles. Visitors can create unique pieces that capture the rustic beauty of tradition while keeping the modern flair.

Lotte Himart - Gwangju World Cup Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (롯데하이마트 광주월드컵점)

7.0Km 2024-04-16

240, Geumhwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju

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Lotte Mart - World Cup Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (롯데마트 월드컵점)

7.0Km 2024-04-22

240, Geumhwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju

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Gwangju World Cup Stadium (광주월드컵경기장)

7.1Km 2021-06-11

240, Geumhwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-604-2002

Gwangju World Cup Stadium is a major symbol of Gwangju. Designed to reflect the notion of ‘spreading far and wide’ the exterior is shaped like spokes of a wheel. When lit up, the stadium looks like a glowing dome. The ceiling and large ‘Y’-shaped pillars resemble a ‘Go,’ an instrument used in a traditional game from Gwangju, Gossaumnori. These architectural features were designed to capture and reflect the traditional aspects of Gwangju. The soccer stadium can accommodate up to 40,000 people at once and has many subsidiary facilities, including media center, athlete waiting room, medical care facilities, and more.

Aritaum - Gwangju Jinwol Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (아리따움 광주진월점)

7.1Km 2024-04-23

687, Seomun-daero, Nam-gu, Gwangju

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Gwangju Pyeongchon Village (광주 평촌마을)

7.1Km 2025-08-12

15 Pyeongchon-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-266-2287

Gwangju Pyeongchon Village, located north of Mudeungsan Mountain, is a cozy farming village made up of four villages Dongrim, Daman, Woosung, and Dangmoe. The village still has an excellence natural preservation, growing environmental-friendly rice in the fields and Punamcheon stream that runs through the middle of the village is home to fireflies and otters. The village also keeps the tradition of making pottery as the village was the place that made grayish-blue-powdered celadon during the Joseon dynasty. The village street corner offers visitors to Mudeungsan Mountain a place to rest with Mudol-gil shelter and Bandi lodging.

Mugaksa Temple (무각사)

7.2Km 2025-08-18

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.

Gwangju Kimchi Festival (광주김치축제)

7.2Km 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.

Soswaewon Garden (담양 소쇄원)

7.3Km 2023-01-04

17, Soswaewon-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-381-0115

Soswaewon Garden is a private garden from the Joseon period where Korea's traditional beauty is preserved. It was built by Yang San-Bo (1503-1557) after he gave up his success when his mentor Jo Gwang-Jo (1482-1519) was killed during political strife. Soswaewon Garden presents itself as a clean and transparent garden where the righteous enjoy the life of anbinnakdo (being comfortable amid poverty and taking pleasure in an honest lifestyle) surrounded by a bamboo grove.

Including peach trees, various kinds of trees and grass are planted on both sides of the stream while clear water flows down the foot of the garden walls. The log bridge above the valley adds to the charm of the scenery. The harmony between nature and the artificial waterfall is a sight to behold. Soswaewon Garden is 150 meters away from the main road. Passing through the thick bamboo forest, you will find the small valley and Soswaewon Garden on your left.

May 18th National Cemetery (5·18 기념공원) - Area information - Korea travel information