Gwangju is the fifth largest city in Korea, situated in the south-western peninsula. It has a befitting name - the City of Lights – and lives up to its reputation by being culturally vibrant and colourful. In Korea, the city is synonymous with all things arty and gastronomic.

This is the city where artists, culture vultures and thinkers flock for a place in the sun. The people of Gwangju pride themselves in their patriotic heritage, having produced pioneers, freedom fighters and revolutionaries. It was here that the 16 th century Japanese invaders were repulsed for the first time and here that the independence movement against the Japanese colonialists began. Modern democratic trends, too, took root in Gwangju and the city has given birth to prominent scholars, historians and artists.
 

The Gwangju World Cup Stadium is a new football stadium with a seating capacity of over 42,800. Located in Pungam-dong, Seo-gu, the stadium is 4 km south of the city centre. It is easily accessible from Gwangju Airport, 6 km away and from the railway stations of Gwangju, 6 km and Songjongri, 9 km.  

Among the many tourist attractions that the city boasts of, the most prominent is Mt Mudungsan. The peak rises to 1187 m and creates a splendid environment with its thick forests and tree-speckled slopes. Mt Mudungsang is known for its Chunseol tea with the aroma of watermelon - a drink fit for kings! The area offers many an escape into the surrounding woods and to a number of parks like the Dadohae Archipelago National Park, Mt. Jiri and Mt. Wolchul Parks. Visitors flock to the Jungshimsa temple at the base of the mountain. 

At the foot of Mt. Jogyesan is the Songwang temple, one of the most treasured of Korean temples. Set amidst pine forests, the beautiful Soswoewon garden belongs to the mid-Joseon dynasty period. The garden is lovely, with rocks and streams that culminate in a pretty pond. In another forested area is the legendary Unjusa temple with its one thousand Buddhas and 21 pagodas that are said to have been built overnight! Also in the vicinity is a symbol of Gwangju’s courage - the May 18 Cemetry, built to honour those who lost their lives in the May 1980 resistance. 

Start your cultural tour of Gwangju with a visit to the Gwangju National Museum in downtown Gwangju. The museum has a display of prehistoric relics and objet d'art from the royal family of Baekje that date back to a period between 18 B.C. and 660 A.D. Interesting artefacts recovered from the wreck of a Chinese ship that sank off the Sinan coast in1976, are also housed in the museum. The other unusual museum is the Damyang Bamboo Museum, which exhibits a range of bamboo products from Damyang and all over the world. 

Pansori, a musical genre of narrative solo songs evolved in Gwangju, the city that keeps its spirits soaring with festivities. Perhaps the biggest cultural event that Gwangju is known for is the Gwangju Biennale.  This is an occasion recognized the world over as an artistic synthesis of traditional and contemporary art styles, especially “installation art”. The Biennale attracts people from the world of art, media and music, as well as, scholars, radicals and free thinkers. The festival explores existential and philosophical themes like “Beyond the borders,” “Unmapping the earth,” and “Man and Space.”
 

Besides the Gwangju Biennale, the city celebrates a number of events and festivals. The Gwangju Kimchi Festival is held in October near the Municipal Folk Park Museum. The exhibits at the museum centre on the piquant Kimchi style of pickled vegetables and there is a kimchi-making competition that generates some unusual concoctions! In mid-January Gossaum Nori is celebrated as Korea’s traditional fighting game. Members of opposing teams try to ram each other with huge straw ropes that have been looped into juggernauts. The games usually end in a laugh-riot!

For dining in style, your best bet is the area around Songjeong-ri railway station, where there are quite a few restaurants, bars and eating joints. The variety of food and cuisines from different regions of Korea is mind-boggling – and palate-tickling, to say the least. The all time favourite is Tteokgalbi – grilled beef patties, a spicy delicacy done over a charcoal fire – and Tteok, a rice cake. 

Getting there: Gwangju is 270 km south of Seoul. The closest international airport is at Incheon, 28 km from Seoul, from where you can reach the capital and take onward transport to Gwangju. It takes 55 minutes by air from Seoul to Gwangju, 4 hours by super-express train and 4 hours by express bus. Three freeways criss-cross the city, making road transport especially comfortable. Taxis and shuttle buses are available from Gwangju airport to other parts of the city including the Gwangju World cup Stadium. 

Accommodation: The city is geared with accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes, from five star luxury to middle-rung and economy hotels. In addition, there are inns, motels, dormitories, homestays, youth hostels and centres where groups can be accommodated.

For detailed country & visitor information, see South Korea.