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광주학생독립운동기념관
This monument is in the geographical middle of the city. Not widely known, and requires a taxi ride to get to, this monument is rather large and situated in a very quiet park atop a hill. The monument commemorates the student uprising against Japanese Imperialism in the early 1900s. The Park includes an impressive museum with detailed representations of the time. At times English tours are available.
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풍암지구 (Pungamjigu)
Within Pungam is the World Cup Stadium (월드컵 경기장), connected to the Lotte Outlet Mall. A short walk from the stadium is the Pungam Reservoir, which has fountains, statues, and a walking path. If you enjoy hiking, you can also take an easy hike around Geumdangsan Mountain, which encircles the Pungam residential area. Starting from an Oriental medicine hospital, Wongwangdae hospital, the hike takes on average 2 hours at a moderate pace.
5.18 기념공원 (O-il-pal Gi-nyeom-gongwon)
Gwangju's claim to fame is for its own Gwangju uprising, May 18, 1980. There are two memorials for this moment in its history. The main one is found in the beautiful 5.18 Park, in central Sangmu district. There is an exhibition hall there that enlightens visitors to the events that exemplify South Koreans' struggle against authoritarian regimes and their fight for democracy. While there, follow the walking path to the top of the hill where you can then climb a three-story pagoda and take in a nice view of the more modern part of Gwangju. The other memorial to this occasion is the 5.18 Cemetery, located in the northeast of the city, about 50 minutes from the bus terminal. Again, more monuments and dedications to this moment in history - but make sure the museum is actually opened because the long travel is not really worth it otherwise. The cemetery is open year-round. The operating hour of the museum is from 08:00 to 18:00.
금호월드
This market occupies 15 stories of an office building right behind the main U-Square Bus terminal. From the first basement to the seventh floor, electronic markets took occupancy of that, and from the eighth floor, the building is composed of studio apartments. The building is easily recognizable from its arched roof of glass sitting jutting out of the skyline. Each floor specializes in a different electronic genre. As a market, the starting price is not always the set price like as Yongsan Electronics Market in Seoul, with some bargaining being possible. Remember to be polite, but also haggle a little if you like. The phrase 'Kkak-ka-Ju-Se-Yo (깎아 주세요)', means 'Give me a Discount please', or alternatively 'Hal-In-Hae-Joo-Sae-Yo (할인해 주세요)' has the same meaning. Sometimes this will work, sometimes not. Haggling with them is even hard to natives, buying something in this building as a foreigner is usually not recommended.
Ice skating is available at the Pungam World Cup Stadium athletics center for approximately ₩6500. In the front of Gwangju city hall, temporary outdoor ice skating rink will be open in winter, with the price only ₩1000.
There are many cinemas at Gwangju. But CGV Gwangcheon is the best cinema for tourist, because it is at U-square (Gwangju Bus terminal) so you can find it easily.