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양림역사문화마을 (Yangnim-dong Modern History Culture Village)
The neighborhood of Yangnim-dong district has a variety of modern and contemporary architecture and dense groves of massive 100-year-old trees. The establishment of a church, school, and hospital by Christian missionaries during the Japanese occupation earned the neighborhood the nicknames “Jerusalem of Gwangju” and the “Western Village.” There are some traditional Korean houses, including the Choi Seunghyo House and the Lee Jangwoo House, and more attractions, such as ‘Penguin Village’ (but there is no penguin).
Yangrim-dong, Nam-gu (Supia Girls' Middle School/Supia Girls' High School, Woo Il-sun's old house, missionary house, etc.) where modernization sites are located as the birthplace of Christian culture in Gwangju are well established along with the theme of modern history and culture. The oldest Western-style house in Gwangju is Woo Il-sun's house, Owen's memorial hall, Bae Ji-woo's house, Bae Ji-won's memorial hall, Bae Yeong School and Hyangsari Church, Gwangju Sungil High School, and Choi Seung-hyo's house, which offers a glimpse of Hanok during the enlightenment period. If Penguin Village is a place that has become famous by word of mouth due to the voluntary creation of the community, the difference is that the historical and cultural village has been systematically created and became famous by writers who write various magazines and travel journals. However, the location is on the hill right behind Penguin Village, and the top of the hill is Sajik Park. Baeyeong School and Hyangsari Church, which were founded by missionary Bae Ji-ji, are connected to Gwangju Seohyeon Church, and if you cross this Gwangju Seohyeon Church, you will find Chungjang-ro, a busy city in Gwangju.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
The river in Gwangju runs from the southeast to the west of the city with a well-paved footpath along all the parts of the river in the city. It is perfect for a nice walk or cycle with a few park areas spaced out along the banks. At night, the park offers fountain shows and night lighting, making it ideal for family outings or romantic strolls.
우일선선교사사택
The Woo Il-seon Missionary House is said to have been built in the 1920s by American missionary Robert M. Wilson and is the oldest Western-style house remaining in Gwangju.
사직공원
Gwangju’s Sajik Park was created on the original site of an altar to deities of the state. The restored altar stands inside the park, along with the Monument to the Sacrifice of Police Officers in Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion and the Korean War, Yangpa-jeong Pavilion, Gwandeokjeong Pavilion, a multi-purpose sports field, and an observatory that offers visitors a panoramic view of the city. The park boasts a variety of trees and flowers, and when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in April, the park is lit at night for evening strolls under the cherry blossom trees, making it a popular springtime attraction.
국립아시아문화전당
You can see art exhibitions and musical performances at this national art complex. It's one of the largest museums in South Korea, but most of the facilities are built in the basement. Old South Jeolla Provincial Hall, where the Gwangju Uprising started in 1980, is involved in this area. You can also buy Korean-style souvenirs here.
It is a place with a very beautiful night view. For this reason, it becomes a popular walking place, dating course, and friendship street for Gwangju citizens at night. However, the location in charge of the city is similar to that of the National Theater + Sejong Center for the Performing Arts + Seoul Arts Center, so there are not many people interested in culture and art, so it is lame during the day.
However, as the Gwangju Fringe Festival, which has been promoted since late 2015, was held in connection with the Cultural Center, it quickly emerged as Gwangju's first landmark as many people began to flock as the Cultural Center succeeded in promoting it. It is the largest cultural theme complex in the country, and it is easy to fall off while walking if you get lost.
금남로 & 충장로
These two streets form the pedestrian area of downtown, which is large when compared to other downtown areas with the exception of Seoul and Busan. Any given night these streets will be packed, though the crowds die out around midnight. From restaurants to karaoke rooms, to DVD rooms, pool halls, clubs, bars, movie theaters, and shopping can be done here. Several foreign food restaurants have established themselves here too and two foreign grocers (Western products and a Philippine market) are in this area too. Just about neighborhood has a bus that eventually ends here and taxi drivers will understand "Geumnam-ro". The main landmark is the YMCA, which is handy to ask for as well if using a taxi. The subway makes three stops (Geumnamno 4&5 and Asia Culture Center) all within a short distance, covering the two ends and the middle of the downtown district. Don't miss the underground shopping areas, which spans those three subway stops as well.
광주향교 - Gwangju Hyanggyo
The Gwangju Confucian School, which played a key role in Confucian education during the Joseon Dynasty (1329–1910) and served as a kind of national university at the time, today offers a “Confucian university” program through which participants can experience diverse aspects of traditional culture.