May 18 Democracy Square (5.18 민주광장)

7.2Km 2020-06-09

38, Munhwajeondang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-613-2082

Stretching from the former Jeollanam-do Provincial Government Office to the Geumnam-ro area, this famous plaza is where the landmark May 18th Democratic Uprising took place. In May 1980, the Jeollanam-do Provincial Government office building was the headquarters of the civil resistance movement and the scene of a number of rallies. The plaza has been officially known as the May 18 Democracy Square since 1996.

Gwangju Busking World Cup (광주 버스킹 월드컵)

7.3Km 2024-09-27

B56 Seoseok-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-70-4400-6554

The Gwangju Busking World Cup is a grand-scale event inviting musicians from around the world to perform at this busking competion. Busking is a signature of street culture, with the event taking place around the 5.18 Democracy Square, where the May 18 Democracy Movement took place.

Gwangju Art Street (광주 예술의 거리)

7.3Km 2020-06-19

24, Yesul-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-942-6160

Gwangju Art Street is aimed at developing Gwangju’s traditional art scene through exhibition of local work. The street is 300m long and located behind Jungang Elementary School, nearby Gwangju Dongbu Police Station. Items commonly found here include Korean fine art such as paintings, ceramics, writings, and industrial art.

Every Saturday, an art flea market famous for its unique pieces is held here. People from all over the nation gather to display items that include old calligraphy materials, collector coins, stone hairbrushes, Chinaware, wooden sculptures, folk drawings, classic books, ink, and incense burners. Part of the attraction is the stories the collectors share with each part of their collection. Enjoy the many shows and exhibitions that draw regular crowds to this famous road.

The Mudeung art exhibit operates according to districts, and functions as a cultural festival as well. The outdoor exhibition was built in February 1995, and is open throughout the day. The large exhibition space has 32 booths and regularly holds special exhibits. Many regional cultural treasures are also on display here. Every Saturday, the Street of Fine Arts is blocked from traffic, and people gather to share and enjoy art culture. Gwangju Summer Universiade will be held this summer, 2015.

ER NC Department Store - Gwangju Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (ER NC백화점 광주)

7.3Km 2024-04-23

249, Gyeongyeol-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju

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Asia Culture Center (국립아시아문화전당)

7.3Km 2025-08-13

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.

Chireunsibill (치른시빌)

7.4Km 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.

Gwangju Daein Market & Daein Art Market (광주 대인시장 (대인예술시장))

7.4Km 2023-11-28

9-10 Jebong-ro 184beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-233-4001

Daein Market in Gwangju is a wonderful example of the changes traditional markets have gone through to remain relevant in the modern world. Originally the community center for all living needs, including produce and household goods, the market lost much interest in the mid-1990s with the influx of large marts. From that point on, many shops began to close down as there was no business.

However, the market saw a revival in 2008 during the Gwangju Biennale. Many of the available shop spaces were rented out to host small art exhibitions, creating a unique art market. Thanks to this effort, Daein Market was designated as a Cultural Attraction in 2013. The market continues to have a strong connection with the art that saved it, and the vendors and artists live and work together in harmony. The market also draws in a lot of interest from the community through their weekly night market, taking place every Saturday.

Gwangju IAM Guest House [Korea Quality] / 아이엠게스트하우스 [한국관광 품질인증]

7.4Km 2024-07-24

23 , Gyeongyang-ro 165beon-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-528-0012

The cozy and clean I Am Guesthouse in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, stands right opposite Gwangju station. The guesthouse offers free Korean breakfast and brunch, there’s a personal locker for valuables and a powder room for female travelers. The location is convenient for sightseeing, with Mudeungsan Mountain nearby, and visitors can taste tteokgalbi and other delights of Namdo cuisine in local restaurants.

Namdodalbam Moonnight Market (남도달밤야시장)

7.4Km 2024-12-03

10 Jebong-ro 194beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-233-1420

The Namdodalbam Moonnight Market takes place on Saturday evenings in July at Daein Art Market, a center for artistic culture in Gwangju. During the event period, visitors can enjoy a range of cultural experiences and art programs on top of typical night time market fare.

Bium Museum (비움박물관)

7.4Km 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.

May 18 Democracy Square (5.18 민주광장) - Area information - Korea travel information