Paldang Observatory

In Joseon Dynasty era, in most of the areas of Gwangju, there were Guanyaos (官窯) where manufactured ceramics that were used by royal family. The organization directing it, that is, a branch of Saongwon (司饔院), was located in Namjong-myeon, Bunwon-ri. Here, a number of high-quality white porcelains were manufactured at the time. Bunwon White Porcelain Museum, which was opened in 2003, uses the renovated building of the former Bunwon Elementary School. It is a private education center where shows the transition of Joseon’s national ceramics and the history of ceramics. It is a globally approved place to see the history of Joseon’s ceramics.

This is a Rural Art Theme Park, where you can experience cultivating vocational agriculture.

Gyeongan Marsh Ecological Park, filled with greens and reeds in spring, summer, and fall, is the home of many migratory birds throughout the year. The trees among the reeds by the lake add beauty to the park. This is a unique place that was naturally transformed into a marsh when the nearby farmlands and lowlands were submerged underwater with the construction of Paldang Dam in 1973. It now grows various aquatic plants and invites many migratory and resident birds, thus being a great place for birdwatching and for learning about nature. There is a great trail around the park where picnickers and local residents can take walks and bike rides. The marsh is great for natural purification, and purifies the water environment. It will be expanded in the future, and the park will attract many individual and group visitors as a nature-learning site.

The ancient Korean house in Gwangcheon, which is more than 400 years old, has been relocated and restored. 1,000-year-old zelkova trees and pine trees harmonize with the hanok to change new clothes every season. In the beautiful nature, you can feel the tranquil atmosphere of the hanok and feel the relaxation of your life. It operates programs based on family, nature and art, including outdoor barbecues, one-day class cultural lectures, cafes, hanok stays, and baby stone shooting studios.

Mt. Mugap in Chowol-eup stretches out to Gonjiam-eup and Toechon-myeon. It was named such because it is said that the soldiers who refused to surrender hid here during the Japanese invasion of 1592, or because the mountain looks like it’s wearing an armor. When you stand on top, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of Paldang Lake and other surrounding areas. Mt. Mugap, which is 578 m high, is not widely known among hikers, making it a great site for families to hike together as it’s quiet and secluded. It’s covered with Korean rosebay and mountain greens in spring, luxurious trees in summer, and colorful autumn leaves in fall. Its snow blossoms in winter can compare with those of Mt. Halla.

A mountain fortress city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortress lies atop the mountain Namhansan and stretches 12 km in length. It served as an emergency capital city during the 1392–1910 Joseon period. The design is based on fortress architecture of East Asia, embodying aspects of four historical cultural styles: Joseon of Korea, the Azuchi-Momoyama Period of Japan, and Ming and Qing China. It was extensively developed during the 16th to 18th centuries, a period of continuous warfare. The technical development of weaponry and armaments during this period, which saw the use of gunpowder imported from Europe, also greatly influenced the architecture and layout of the fortress. Namhansanseong portrays how the various theories of defense mechanisms in Korea were put to form by combining the everyday living environment with defense objectives. The fortress indicates how Buddhism played an influential role in protecting the state, and it became a symbol of sovereignty in Korea.