Gwangju Jeungsimsa Temple (증심사(광주))

.0M 2021-11-09

177, Jeungsimsa-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-226-0108

Located on the western foothills of Mudeungsan Mountain, Jeungsimsa Temple is a representative temple of Gwangju. First founded by Buddhist monk Cheolgamseonsa Do Yun in 517 (Silla Kingdom), the temple was remodeled by Buddhist monk Hyesoguksa in 1094 (Goryeo dynasty) and again by Kim Bang in 1443 (Joseon dynasty). The temple was burned down during the Imjin War and was reconstructed in 1609 by three Buddhist monks: Seokgyeong, Sujang, and Dogwang. It underwent several additional restorations before being destroyed again by fire during the Korean War. Most of the existing buildings, including Daeungjeon Halll (main temple building), were rebuilt in the 1970s.

Uijae Museum of Korean Art (광주 의재미술관)

219.1M 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.

De Young Museum (드영미술관)

1.6Km 2024-10-10

6 Seongchon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju

De Young Museum is an art gallery located at the entrance to Mudeungsan National Park. The gallery opened in 2018 with the concept of being "forever young" and aims to develop the local culture scene through connections with the local community.

Mudeungsan National Park (무등산국립공원)

1.9Km 2023-11-14

29 Dongsan-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-227-1187

Mudeungsan National Park is a mountain park lining the edge of Hwasun-gun, Damyang-gun and Gwangju. Mudeungsan Mountain (1,186 meters) features three rock peaks called Cheonwangbong, Jiwangbong, and Inwangbong, also known as the “Jeongsang Three."

Mudeungsan’s gradual slope makes it an easy climb for all. Among the more majestic of these sites are the Seoseokdae, Gyubong, and Ipseokdae peaks. At the base of the mountain are several famous temples including Yaksasa, Jeungsimsa, and Wonhyosa Temples. Mudeungsan Mountain is also known for its beauty throughout the year. The autumn leaves around Gyubongam Hermitage and silver grass of Baengma Ridge are quite spectacular. In winter, snow and ice on the mountain create exquisite scenery as well.

Below the mountain, there are a variety of recreational facilities and tourist sites for visitors.

Jusangjeolli Cliff of Mudeungsan Mountain (무등산 주상절리대)

2.8Km 2020-06-05

San 354-1, Yongyeon-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-227-1187

The Jueangjeolli cliffs are rock pillars of various hexagonal shapes that seem as if they were hand carved. The Jusangjeolli cliffs of Mudeungsan Mountain consist of Seoseokdae, Ipseokdae, and Gyubong Rocks formed about 70 million years ago. Ipseokdae and Gyubong Rocks are both of a distinct pillar shape as they have been heavily weathered, and Seoseokdae, which was less weathered, looks like a folding screen. The Neodeolgeong (cluster of rocks), which sit on the mountain slope, were made when stone pillars collapsed. The standing rocks and Neodolgeong have been designated as Natural Monuments due to their rarity and uniqueness.

Jisan Recreation Area (지산유원지)

2.9Km 2023-01-25

35-1, Jiho-ro 164beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-221-2760

Jisan Recreation Area reopened around December 2016, resuming monorail operation after 11 years. The unique rattle of a monorail running on one rail gives passengers a thrill. If you ride the monorail, you can see the panoramic view of Gwangju and the top of Mudeungsan Mountain at a glance. The monorail starts on the mountainside, 50 meters away from the end point of the lift, along the forest road, and runs to and from the top of the mountain in Jisan Recreation Area, where the octagonal pavilion is located. After reopening, it became popular among the younger generation through social media and word of mouth as a unique amusement facility where you can enjoy thrills on Mudeungsan Mountain in Gwangju.

Hotel Mudeung Park (무등파크호텔)

3.0Km 2021-02-01

14-10, Jiho-ro 164beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-226-0011

Opened in 2004, Hotel Mudeung Park is located at the foot of Mudeungsan Mountain. Situated in a leisure town measuring an impressive 495,000 m², the hotel is one of the representative hotels of Gwangju and is known for its high-quality facilities and services.

In addition to its posh guestrooms, Hotel Mudeung Park offers a myriad of facilities including a convention hall, a banquet hall, a business center, restaurants, a wine bar, a driving range, a bowling alley, and an observatory with a panoramic view of downtown Gwangju.

Mudeungsan Lift Monorail (Jisan Park) (무등산 리프트모노레일 (지산유원지))

3.0Km 2025-08-12

14-10 Jiho-ro 164beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju

To use the lift and monorail located at Jisan Park in Gwangju, visitors can purchase a ticket at the ticket office in the convenience store on the first floor and go up to the boarding area on the second floor. Get on the lift with a track length of 745 meters and an operating speed of 12 m/sec and climb for about 20 minutes while enjoying the scenery of Mudeungsan Mountain to arrive at Bitgoeul Station. From here, visitors can transfer to the monorail. Passengers can feel the thrill of riding toward the top on a monorail which can accommodate about 20 people at a time. A spectacular view of Mudeungsan Mountain will unfold in all directions. The view of Gwangju from Palgakjeong Observatory at the end of the monorail is a beautiful sight that visitors to Gwangju must see at least once as it is a famous attraction to enjoy the view of Gwangju.

Coboc (커볶)

3.2Km 2024-02-13

161-7 Jiho-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Coboc, established in 2006, is a café located near the Jisan Recreation Area at the base of Mudeungsan Mountain. This café is particularly known for its stunning views, especially during sunset. Among its signature offerings are the Mudeungsan Gureum Coffee, a unique cheese cream coffee, and a bagel with chives and bacon. The Mudeungsan Gureum Coffee is distinctively topped with a white, soft cheese cream, reminiscent of the clouds that grace the mountain.

Chungjangsa Shrine (충장사)

3.8Km 2023-01-25

13, Songgang-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-613-5407

When you reach Baejae along the tourist road leading up to Wonhyosa Temple, you can see the well-maintained tomb and the magnificent building of Chungjangsa Shrine on the left. It was built in 1975 as a memorial to General Kim Deok-ryeong, born in Mudeungsan Mountain. In the precincts, there are the shrine, where Kim Deok-ryeong's portrait and command paper are enshrined; the east room and west room; Eullyun Monument and Commentary Monument, the relics hall; Chungyongmun Gate; and Ikomun Gate. In the relics hall, the clothes of 'General Kim Deok-ryeong,' designated as Important Folk Material, and the coffin excavated from the general's tomb, as well as his handwriting, are on display. On the hill behind the shrine is Kim Deok-ryeong's tomb and tombstone, as well as his family's tomb.

Gwangju Jeungsimsa Temple (증심사(광주)) - Area information - Korea travel information