May 18 Democratic Uprising Archives (5•18민주화운동 기록관)

7.0Km 2024-01-03

221 Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

The May 18 Democratization Movement was a righteous uprising by citizens that took place in Gwangju for ten days from May 18 to 27 in 1980. The May 18 Democratic Uprising Archives was established in 2015 at the former Gwangju Catholic Center, a historical site of May 1980, to systematically collect and preserve the May 18 Democratization Movement's heritage that led to the democracy in Korea today. Through the efforts of Gwangju citizens, visitors can see the original records of the May 18 Democratization Movement, inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World in 2011. Visitors can also view the records with a guide or through online exhibitions. The May 18 Democratic Uprising Archives is a place that preserves the history of all Korean citizens.

Yangnim-dong Penguin Village Craft Street (양림동 펭귄마을공예거리)

7.0Km 2025-10-24

92-8 Baekseo-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju

Yangnim-dong Penguin Village Craft Street is a narrow alleyway located behind the Yangnim-dong Community Center. The village, named because of the way the elderly residents appear to waddle like penguins, has become an exhibition space of life in the 70s and 80s. Villagers cleaned up empty houses that had been burnt down and left unattended in the past, brought discarded items, and began displaying them on the village walls. "Let's be thankful for living at that time" was engraved on the village wall. It also has historical culture, such as the House of Choe Seunghyo, the House of Missionary Uilsa, and Owen Memorial Hall. The Penguin Jumak in the middle of the village was the residents' gathering place, selling small but necessary items. Various workshops, such as leather workshops, textile workshops, and carpentry workshops, are located on Craft Street, so you can purchase pretty crafts or experience upcycling crafts with a retro vibe in which the historical and the modern coexist.

ABC-Mart - Gwangju Chungjang-ro 2(i)-ga Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (ABC마트 광주충장로2가)

7.0Km 2024-04-22

89-1, Chungjang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

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Gwangju Chungjang-ro KPOP STAR Street(광주 충장로 케이팝 스타의 거리)

7.0Km 2025-11-05

94 Chungjang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

J-hope Hope World
This street was created to commemorate K-pop stars from Gwangju. Within the street, there are murals depicting singers' album jackets, benches decorated with song titles, handprints, and sculptures. After j-hope personally stopped by the bench decorated with the theme of a BTS song and posted a proof shot, it became a holy place for fans. It is one of the essential courses that 'ARMY' cannot miss because he left a message of appreciation and impressions of visiting this place.

8 Seconds - Chungjang-ro Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (에잇세컨즈 충장로점)

7.1Km 2024-04-23

1F, 72, Singwang-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

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Chungjang Street Festival of Recollection (광주 추억의 충장축제)

7.2Km 2025-07-11

Geumnamno 1(il)-ga, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-608-4674

Every October, the Chungjang Street Festival of Recollection is held on the streets of Chungjang-ro and Geumnam-ro in the city center with the theme of memories. The themed streets exactly replicate the old Chungjang-ro with the theme of "memories of night," allowing visitors to enjoy different types of songs from the olden days. This festival, held in the heart of Gwangju, offers a wide array of events, such as nostalgic concerts, flour games, parades, and random dance performances, making it a popular attraction with plenty to see and do.

◎ Chungjang-ro, Gwangju
Chungjang-ro is so famous as a fashion street that it is nicknamed the “Myeongdong Street of Gwangju.” The name “Chungjang” comes from the military title of General Kim Deok-ryeong, known for his valiant acts in the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592.

Chireunsibill (치른시빌)

7.3Km 2024-10-10

10 Seoseok-ro 85beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Chireunsibill was founded in 2022, offering educational programs and art kits with young artists both online and offline. The educational programs are open to all , and cover a wide genre of art types, from painting to music. It is a popular attraction for travelers with children.

Bium Museum (비움박물관)

7.3Km 2025-01-02

143-1 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Opened in 2016, the Bium Museum is a folk museum showcasing around 30 thousand Korean modern and traditional artifacts collected by Lee Young-hwa for about 50 years. The art pieces portray the life of poor commoners in the agricultural era before Korea went through industrialization, allowing visitors to get a glimpse of the adaptability and resilience of people in hard times.

Dongnidan-gil Cafe Street (동리단길 카페거리)

7.3Km 2025-08-06

Dongmyeong-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Dongridan-gil Cafe Street, once an affluent neighborhood filled with opulent homes and traditional hanok houses, is now a popular attraction in Gwangju. The street is lined with various cafes, each boasting its own unique menu and interior, perfect for those seeking unique menus and picture-worthy spots. Surrounding the Cafe Street, there are many parks, wall murals, and art installations, making it an ideal place for a leisurely stroll or a relaxing break.

Asia Culture Center (국립아시아문화전당)

7.3Km 2025-10-23

38 Munhwajeondang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-1899-5566

The Asia Culture Center (ACC) is an international arts and cultural exchange organization aimed to promote Gwangju as Asia's central hub through the integration of past and present-day cultural arts as well as the development of futuristic and progressive arts. The center consists of ACC Culture Exchange, ACC Children, ACC Archive & Research, ACC Theater, and other facilities to support and foster innovation.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm – movie “Exhuma”
This venue served as the backdrop for the scene where Hwa-rim and Bong-gil visit a hospital in LA to see a newborn whose parent’s life is in danger. Although portrayed as a hospital lobby, the scene was filmed in the Asia Culture Centre, Gwangju’s landmark cultural venue, notable for its impressive architecture that integrates natural elements.

May 18 Democratic Uprising Archives (5•18민주화운동 기록관) - Area information - Korea travel information