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City in Jeonnam-Gwangju, South Korea
Photo: STA3816, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Naju (나주,羅州) is a city in South Jeolla, South Korea.
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There are two beautiful traditional gates in the city, the South Gate and the North Gate. The South Gate is actually used as a roundabout in the city centre, you can't miss it!
나주 배 박물관
Spend an hour at the Naju Pear Museum. Naju pear museum to promote the history and excellence of Naju pear.
This is where lotus and cosmos bloom, and Naju Yeongsan River Festival is often held.
This is a healing space because you can see art works and there is also a cafe.
금성관
Geumseonggwan is historic government guesthouse from the Joseon Dynasty located in Naju.
동신대학교 문화박물관
As Korea’s first camera museum, it exhibits over 1,500 cameras donated by photographer and Dongshin University visiting professor Lee Kyung-mo. The museum displays various cameras, lenses, and camera parts, featuring models from around the world — including Leica and Contax from Germany, as well as cameras from Japan, the United States, European countries, the former Soviet Union, China, North Korea, and South Korea — allowing visitors to compare their designs and history.
빛가람호수공원빛가람전망대
Located at the top of Bemmaesan Mountain, Bitgaram Observatory is a 20.7-meter-tall landmark of Naju Innovation City, offering a panoramic view of the entire area. The main attractions include a monorail and a stone slide.
전남광주통합특별시산림연구원
The Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City Forest Research Institute is a forest environment research and forest healing space located in Sanpo-myeon, Naju City, Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City. With a metasequoia path and walking trail, it is highly popular as a healing travel destination.
나주 종합 스포츠 파크
It is a place where many cherry blossoms and marathon competitions are often held.
포세이돈수상레저
You can take a motorboat ride around Naju Lake and enjoy various water activities. Amusement rides are also available for visitors.
나주나빌레라문화센터
Naju Nabillera Culture Center is a cultural and arts education facility located on the site of a former silk factory, reflecting Naju’s historical role in sericulture. The space has been repurposed as a public cultural center offering arts education programs and community activities for all ages.
나주영산강축제
The Naju Yeongsangang Festival is a multi-day cultural festival held along the Yeongsan River, featuring stage performances, traditional arts, concerts, and family-friendly activities.The festival includes food markets, hands-on experience booths, night programs, and special events spread across multiple outdoor venues.
빛가람 빛정원 페스타
Bitgaram Light Garden Festa is a seasonal nighttime light exhibition held in Naju, featuring illuminated installations and themed light sculptures.
한수제 벚꽃축제
The Hansuje Cherry Blossom Festival is a seasonal spring event held around Hansuje Reservoir, with the main stage located near the Gyeonghyeon Village parking area. The festival features cherry blossom viewing alongside performances and activities across the surrounding lakeside area.
천년나주목읍성문화축제
The Naju Eupseong Festa is a representative local historical and cultural festival held around the Geumseonggwan area. There are many programs, including traditional games and bonding, as well as historical reenactment experiences.
강변장어돼지갈비
Gangbyeon Eel and Pork BBQ is a Korean restaurant that offers a variety of dishes, including grilled eel, charcoal-grilled pork ribs, and mushroom bulgogi set meals.
건강흑염소가든
t is a Korean restaurant specializing in black goat dishes such as boiled black goat and black goat hot pot.
금일홍어
It is a Korean restaurant specializing in fermented skate dishes, serving not only skate samhap, seasoned skate, and skate soup, but also aged kimchi braised short ribs.
나주곰탕 사매기
Naju Gomtang Samegi is a traditional Korean restaurant where you can enjoy rich and flavorful Naju beef soup and hearty suyuk gomtang (boiled beef soup). The clean broth, tender meat, and especially the homemade aged kimchi are exceptional. The interior, designed in the style of a traditional hanok with ceramic decorations, adds a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
남평한우촌
Nampyeong Hanwoo Village is a beloved restaurant known for its fresh Korean beef and carefully prepared dishes. Popular menu items include raw beef bibimbap, premium Korean beef sirloin, and short rib soup. The side dishes, such as soy sauce marinated crab and salted freshwater shrimp, are also local favorites.
대승장어
This family-run restaurant has been operating for over 20 years. The eels are first grilled to remove excess oil, then coated with sauce during the second grilling. The restaurant is famous for its marinated grilled eel and salted grilled eel.
The best bar in Naju is near Chosun University. It's called Bauzen and is frequented by local students who are very curious to talk to foreigners. Please behave though, the owners will use any excuse to get the foreigners out. Also, you are expected to order a food dish. Besides that, it's actually worth a night out!
나주목사고을시장
Naju Moksagoeul Market was newly established in 2012 by combining Geumgye Daily Market, a permanent market, and Seongbuk Market, a traditional periodic market. It sells Naju’s seasonal specialties, agricultural products, and various daily necessities.
영산포 풍물시장
Yeongsanpo Pungmul Market is a representative traditional five-day market of the southwestern coast, held every five and ten days. Visitors can not only find Naju’s famous specialty, fermented skate (hongeo), but also enjoy observing the unique fashion styles of the local elders.
남평전통시장
Nampyeong Traditional Market is a five-day market held in Naju every month on the 1st and 6th. It is mostly closed on other days. The market is famous for its traditional gukbap (rice soup) and loach soup. It also provides convenient parking facilities for visitors.
By bus
There are several daily express buses from Seoul. The trip takes about 4 hours. From Gwangju, the express buses run every 30 minutes or so and lasts 45 minutes.
By train
By train, the fastest route is the KTX. From Seoul it takes just under 2 hours. You can also take a slower, cheaper train. There are over a dozen leaving from Seoul every day.
By plane
Gwangju has the nearest airport. From there you can catch the 180. Or a taxi from Gwangju will cost you between ₩25,000 to ₩50,000 (depending on the time of day and your haggling skills).
Taxis are really cheap. You can get anywhere in Naju for under ₩7,000. Or you can take the 160 bus for ₩1,000. It goes to all points of interest across Naju.
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Gwangju · Regional · KWJ
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