May 18 Democracy Square (5.18 민주광장)

14.4Km 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.

Geumnam Butterfly Garden (금남로공원 금남나비정원)

14.4Km 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.

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

14.4Km 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.

Gwangju Cinema (광주극장)

14.5Km 2025-08-13

10 Chungjang-ro 46beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Gwangju Cinema opened in 1935 as an artistic and independent film theater and is the sole single-screen cinema to operate in Korea. In the past, the cinema mainly focused on Korean-focused productions such as pansori, but also screen Japanese films to increase business.

Zara - Chungjang-ro Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (자라 충장로점)

14.5Km 2024-04-23

67, Chungjang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

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Mulgogi Coffee Roasters (물고기 커피 로스터스)

14.5Km 2024-11-14

34 Jangdong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Mulgogi Coffee Roasters is an award-winning hand-drip specialty store in Gwangju. This place is famous among coffee enthusiasts for its fresh beans, which are handpicked and roasted, one by one, and its 20 kinds of drip bags. Visitors can enjoy their specialty, Geisha Coffee, or other blends from Africa, Latin America, India, China, and other Asian countries.

1960 Cheongwonmomil (1960 청원모밀)

14.5Km 2020-05-04

174-1, Jungang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-222-2210

1960 Cheongwonmomil is a popular restaurant on Chungjang-ro Street, serving buckwheat noodles since 1960. It features white tables along with bright lighting. The representative menu is momil guksu, attracting people's appetite. Also, they offer kkakdugi (diced radish kimchi) made in-house.

Chungjang-ro Street (충장로)

14.5Km 2023-11-17

Jungjang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-608-2221

Chungjang-ro Street is Gwangju’s major fashion district, comparable with Myeongdong Street of Seoul. The streets of Chungjang-ro are lined with shopping malls, clothing stores, restaurants, cafes, movie theaters and various other attractions, providing the ultimate experience of modern culture in Gwangju. It is the city's hub of fashion, both trendy and traditional, as well as venue for diverse performances.

Gwangju Busking World Cup (광주 버스킹 월드컵)

14.6Km 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.

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