Sigyeongjeong Pavilion (담양 식영정)

6.4Km 2025-01-08

Jigok-ri, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2811

Designated as the top monument of Jeollanam-do, Sigyeongjeong Pavilion means a place where even the shadow of the moon can find a place to rest. As its name suggests, this pavilion is set in a lush and remote forested area. Countless number of scholars and writers have been attracted to this pavilion as a place of profound inspiration. The pavilion gained more fame from the legendary lyrics of Seongsanbyeolgok written by the poet Jeong Cheol. The elegant words of Kim Seongwon, a literary scholar, depict the scenic beauty of Seongsan Mountain as the seasons change.

Of all the pavilions situated at the basin of the Yeongsangang River the Sigyeongjeong Pavilion is said to be blessed with a breathtaking view from the side. The current building was restored in the early 1900s. At the Sigyeongjeong Pavilion there is the Buyongdang, a monument with the lyrics to the Seongsanbyeolgok Poem, and next to it an old library building called Jangseogak built to preserve the wooden blocks of Songgangjib, a book of poetry written by Jeong Cheol.

Uijae Museum of Korean Art (광주 의재미술관)

6.5Km 2024-11-14

155 Jeungsimsa-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-222-3040

The Uijae Museum of Korean Art was established in memory of the famous Korean artist Heo Baekryeon. Construction of the museum ended in December, 1999, but the museum wasn’t officially opened until November 17, 2001. Built to mimic the curve of a gently sloping road, the museum’s unique design earned architect Jo Seongryong the 10th Korean Architecture Award the same year as the museum’s opening. Measuring 6,000㎡ (B1-2F) in size, the museum is comprised of two exhibition rooms, a storage facility, a seminar room, and a tea ceremony room for visitors. Since its opening, the Uijae Museum of Korean Art has hosted notable exhibitions and seminars such as the 2002 Biennale Project 2 International Symposium.

Hwanbyeokdang Pavilion (환벽당)

6.5Km 2023-01-25

10, Hwanbyeokdang-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-510-1500

Hwanbyeokdang Pavilion was built by Yeongcheonja Sinjam and was also called Byeokgandang, which is recorded in Go Gyeong-myeong's Yuseoseongnok. The building has a hipped-and-gabled roof with three bays in the front space and two bays in the inside space. It is a modified form in which the two rooms in the middle are used as rooms, and the front and right sides are floors. Originally, it was a traditional pavilion, but it seems to have changed to its current form as it was expanded later. A tablet written by Uam Song Si-yeol hangs here, and the poems of Seokcheon Im Eok-ryeong and Jo Ja-i are on a signboard. There are two poems written by Jeong Cheol about Hwanbyeokdang Pavilion, which are published in Songgangsokjip and Gwangjumokji. Jeong Cheol's 4th-generation descendant Jeong Su-hwan bought it from Kim Yun-je's descendants, and Yeon Il-jeong's family is currently managing it.

Korea Gasa Literature Collection (한국가사문학관)

6.7Km 2021-09-07

877, Gasamunhak-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2701

The Gasa Literature Collection was completed in October 2000 and is located in Damyang, Jeollanam-do, an area which is famous for its fertile land and rich historical heritage. Apart from the main building, additional buildings include a souvenir shop, and traditional tea house. In the museum, historical literature such as “Myeonangjip” (a collection of Gasa poems by Song Sun) and “Songgangjip,” (a collection of Gasa poems by Jeong Cheol) are on display. There are 11,461 artifacts and literature on Gasa culture, 18 Gasa works, and 15,000 books about Gasa.

May 18th National Cemetery (5·18 기념공원)

6.9Km 2024-02-29

152 Naebang-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-376-5197

May 18th National Cemetery is a park established to commemorate the democratization movement that took place in Gwangju in May 18th, 1980. The park features facilities such as the May 18th Memorial Culture Center, Daedong Plaza, Gwangju Student Movement Memorial Tower, memorial spaces, and the Oweol Pavilion. It serves as a meaningful space for reflecting on the history of Korean democracy and honoring the sacrificial spirit of the martyrs who lost their lives during the democratization movement.

Pyeongchon Ceramics Workshop (평촌도예공방)

6.9Km 2024-11-14

77 Damanpyeongmu-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju

The Pyeongchon Ceramics Workshop keeps the spirit of traditional Korean Buncheong pottery alive by offering an experiential learning space and hands-on programs that blend classic Korean and contemporary styles. Visitors can create unique pieces that capture the rustic beauty of tradition while keeping the modern flair.

Gwangju World Cup Stadium (광주월드컵경기장)

7.1Km 2021-06-11

240, Geumhwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-604-2002

Gwangju World Cup Stadium is a major symbol of Gwangju. Designed to reflect the notion of ‘spreading far and wide’ the exterior is shaped like spokes of a wheel. When lit up, the stadium looks like a glowing dome. The ceiling and large ‘Y’-shaped pillars resemble a ‘Go,’ an instrument used in a traditional game from Gwangju, Gossaumnori. These architectural features were designed to capture and reflect the traditional aspects of Gwangju. The soccer stadium can accommodate up to 40,000 people at once and has many subsidiary facilities, including media center, athlete waiting room, medical care facilities, and more.

Gwangju Pyeongchon Village (광주 평촌마을)

7.1Km 2025-08-12

15 Pyeongchon-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-266-2287

Gwangju Pyeongchon Village, located north of Mudeungsan Mountain, is a cozy farming village made up of four villages Dongrim, Daman, Woosung, and Dangmoe. The village still has an excellence natural preservation, growing environmental-friendly rice in the fields and Punamcheon stream that runs through the middle of the village is home to fireflies and otters. The village also keeps the tradition of making pottery as the village was the place that made grayish-blue-powdered celadon during the Joseon dynasty. The village street corner offers visitors to Mudeungsan Mountain a place to rest with Mudol-gil shelter and Bandi lodging.

Mugaksa Temple (무각사)

7.2Km 2025-08-18

230, Uncheon-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-383-0108

Nestled at the foot of Yeouisan Mountain in the business center of Gwangju, Mugaksa Temple is an urban Buddhist Temple. Unlike other urban Buddhist Temples, Mugaksa Temple has all the elements of a traditional temple. The temple is used as a cultural resting area and artistic spot for meetings without any religious barrier. The temple is also the starting point of the 2 kilometer walking trail to the 5.18 Memorial Park, leading to a constant flow of visitors.

Soswaewon Garden (담양 소쇄원)

7.3Km 2023-01-04

17, Soswaewon-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-381-0115

Soswaewon Garden is a private garden from the Joseon period where Korea's traditional beauty is preserved. It was built by Yang San-Bo (1503-1557) after he gave up his success when his mentor Jo Gwang-Jo (1482-1519) was killed during political strife. Soswaewon Garden presents itself as a clean and transparent garden where the righteous enjoy the life of anbinnakdo (being comfortable amid poverty and taking pleasure in an honest lifestyle) surrounded by a bamboo grove.

Including peach trees, various kinds of trees and grass are planted on both sides of the stream while clear water flows down the foot of the garden walls. The log bridge above the valley adds to the charm of the scenery. The harmony between nature and the artificial waterfall is a sight to behold. Soswaewon Garden is 150 meters away from the main road. Passing through the thick bamboo forest, you will find the small valley and Soswaewon Garden on your left.

Sigyeongjeong Pavilion (담양 식영정) - Area information - Korea travel information