Gwangju Wongaksa Temple (원각사(광주))

13.4Km 2025-08-06

197 Jungang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Gwangju Wongaksa Temple, a branch temple of Suncheon Seonggwangsa Temple, is part of the Jogye order of Korean Buddhism in Gwangju. Bustling with visitors, the temple offers various events, cultural activities, and Buddhist ceremonies for visitors.

Gwangju Museum of Art (광주시립미술관)

13.4Km 2022-09-02

52, Haseo-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-613-7100

The Gwangju Museum of Art was founded on August 1, 1992, to promote local artists. In 1996, it served as the venue for the Gwangju Biennale. The museum holds over 560 works, including those from Heo Baekryeon, Oh Jiho, Yang Su-ah, and Im Jik-sun, all local artists. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the museum also has special planned exhibitions and other cultural programs.

Chungjang Street Festival of Recollection (광주 추억의 충장축제)

13.4Km 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.

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

13.4Km 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.

Geumnam Butterfly Garden (금남로공원 금남나비정원)

13.4Km 2024-11-14

20-2 Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Geumnamro Neighborhood Park, once the site of the Bank of Korea’s Gwangju branch, now hosts the enchanting Geumnam Butterfly Garden. Inspired by the glowing butterflies, the garden is a stunning curation by Gwangju, a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts. It offers a magical setting for a night tour, transporting visitors into a fantasy world of vibrant colors and purple hues.

Geumnam-ro Street (금남로)

13.5Km 2025-08-13

Geumnan-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Geumnam-ro Street used to be in the government office quarters, and is now the center of the city's finacial sphere, with many banks, insurance companies and public offices lining the street. During the May 18 Movement, the citizens gathered at Geumnam-ro Steet and marched together to express their sadness and give support for the sublimation of the nation. In modern times, the street serves as a meeting space for citizens, with an underground shopping mall and a plaza around a fountain, where events and performances freely take place.