10 Top Places to Visit in Gwangju During Winter
Gwangju is a mesmerizing city in South Korea, and it also has some of the best tourist sites. A city is a great place for relaxation, sightseeing, and adventure. There is a blend of urban and rural life in the city. It will interest you to know that there are still ancient artworks preserved in the city. So if you love the arts, Gwangju has something in store for you.
Most times, Gwangju isn’t the preferred location for visitors because they don’t know about the many unexplored sites here. Some think that Seoul, the capital city, is the only one filled with lovable places to explore. This isn’t true because Gwangju is just as beautiful and exciting as other top cities in the country.
You can indeed visit the city in any season, but our focus will be on the top 10 places to visit in the winter. This is because there is a different feeling to them in the winter. Let’s explore these places together, shall we?
- Sajik Park
- Gwangju National Museum
- Gwangju Family Land/Uchi Park
- Kimchi Town
- The Asian Cultural Center
- Penguin Village
- Soswaewon
- Mudeungsan National Park
- Daein Market
- Boseong Green Tea Field
Ready? Let’s dig in!
1. Sajik Park
Photo credit: Thecrazytourist
This is a beautiful park in Gwangju that is rich in natural features that will make you appreciate nature, such as flowers, trees, etc. There are cherry blossoms in the park as well.
You can visit the park with your family, especially kids, because there is a playground available. In addition to the attractions found in the park, there are also three statues present – Hwanghakjeong, Sin Samdong, and Yulkog Yi.
You can equally visit Dangun Shrine and Jongno Library from the park because they are close.
There is also an observation tower in the park. You can get incredible views of the city, day or night. And guess what? Admission is free.
The park is located at 49, Sajik-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju, South Korea.
2.Gwangju National Museum
Photo credit: Koreatriptips
This museum is a great place to learn a lot about the history and culture of Gwangju. You will find so many artworks that are as old as the Joseon Dynasty carefully preserved in the museum. There are also calligraphies and paintings in the museum.
Visitors (both local and foreign) have always been served by the museum since 1978. Looking at the structure of the museum, you can tell that it was inspired by the native Korean architectural style. The building has two floors; you will find exhibitions on the first floor and ancient ceramics on the second floor (these ceramics were retrieved from a 14th-century shipwreck).
A sweet part of this museum is that it is free! You can also feast your eyes on different monuments all over the museum.
3.Gwangju Family Land/Uchi Park
Photo credit: Koreattrack
Gwangju Family Land gives you the feeling of being in a carnival and an amusement park at the same time. Different attractions will ensure that you have a great time, such as carnival games, carousels, a train, roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, a swinging Viking ship, etc.
Other interesting features of this park include a swimming pool, a beautiful garden, an ice rink, and a zoo. You can boldly say that Gwangju Family Land is the largest recreation park in Jeollanam-do!
4. Kimchi Town
Photo credit: Trippose
Koreans are known to love kimchi a lot. It is one of the meals that they are mostly associated with. To learn all you need to know about this delicacy, pay a visit to the town.
Here, you will find out the different types of kimchi that exist and how each is prepared. Interestingly, you can try to make your own. There is a guide to help you through the easy process.
5. The Asian Cultural Center
Photo credit: Tripadvisor
Also known as the ACC for short, this is a reclining auditorium with a huge part of it underground. The area is huge and has a lot of charm that will keep you occupied while at the center. Each of these attractions is worth your time.
The center has different attractions that will blow your mind. Such attractions include indoor and outdoor exhibitions, concerts, exquisite architecture, playgrounds for kids, galleries, and even artworks.
The center is divided into five sections, namely: *The ACC archive and research
- The ACC creation
- The ACC culture exchange
- The ACC children, and
- The ACC theater
You can also relax at any of the few cafes in the area. Wandering around the center may take about an hour or two, but you should be time-conscious so that you don’t get carried away. There are also live band performances at the center, and you could be lucky enough to witness one during your visit.
6. Penguin Village
Photo credit: Mini en monde
We’ve already established the fact that Gwangju has a lot of ancient artifacts that have been preserved over time. So if you want to experience some of that, then you have to pay a visit to Penguin Village. You will enjoy your time in the village, despite its small nature.
You might be thinking to yourself, “How did the village get its name?” Well, the name came as a result of how the elderly with knee aches walked. If you imagine it, you will have the image of a penguin.
Penguin bread is a very popular treat in this village, so you can buy yourself a bag of it to remind you of your experience. There are also beautiful penguin-themed backdrops, which are great spots for taking pictures. You should try it out. A period of 2 hours is enough to tour the entire village.
Indigenes gather at a point to discuss issues about the village at Penguin Tavern. To get the best experience, it is advisable to pay a visit over the weekend.
Penguin Village is located at 201-64, Yangnim-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju, South Korea.
7. Soswaewon
Photo credit: Kpopmap
This is a beautiful, popular garden that isn’t far from the Gwangju Lake Eco Park. The garden came into existence as far back as the 16th century, and the motive for creating it was to teach people how to live with contentment and integrity.
The environment in the garden is quiet and has stone walls and mud all around it. There are also two stunning bowers in the garden. The walls serve as a source for an artificial waterfall and a pond.
8. Mudeungsan National Park
Photo credit: Trippose
The Gwangju Mudeungsan National Park is a breathtaking mountain park found in the city. It became a national park and was opened to the public in 2012. It is a popular location among a lot of tourists because it is a natural haven. So it is very common to see people pay a visit to the park with their cameras. Who wouldn’t want to capture beautiful moments in such an amazing place?
Mudeungsan National Park is also a location that supports hiking activities because of the presence of forest zones. It’s a call for adventure. The park is home to a lot of animals, including endangered species.
Touring the park isn’t difficult because you are handed a map of the park while coming in. There are signposts for directions, but they’re written in Korean, so it isn’t a problem. You can reach out to any English-speaking ranger in the park, and they will assist you.
Attractions in the park include mountains, cliffs, forests, temples, and waterfalls. Other fun locations close to Mudeunsang Park are Wonhyo-sa Temple, May 18th National Cemetry, Mudeungsan Jeungsim-sa Temple, the Asia Culture Center, Gwangjuho Lake Eco Park, and the Uijae Museum of Korean Art.
You will find the park at 1550 Mudeung-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea.
9. Daein Market
Photo credit: Trippose
This is one market that has thrived against all odds in Gwangju City. A lot of people thought that it would be affected by the establishment of modern-day shopping malls, but that wasn’t the case. The empty stalls now serve as art galleries.
Daein Market stretches across six areas. You will find a variety of things here, ranging from food stalls to gift shops to art studios, etc.
10. Boseong Green Tea Field
Photo Credit: Elsewherebriefly
Located outside the city, Boseong Green Tea Field is a must-visit location in Gwangju. The large expanse of green tea is an incredible sight to behold.
When you visit, you will discover the harvesting, processing, and sampling methods of fresh tea leaves. You will also get to enjoy a cup of freshly prepared green tea. This field is a beauty, and you can take some time to appreciate all of it while sipping your tea.
Yulpo Beach isn’t far from the green tea field. If you’ve still got some time left, why not take a ride to the beach for more fun and relaxation?