Gwangju Metropolitan City is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister. The city was also the capital of South Jeolla Province until the provincial office moved to the southern village of Namak in Muan County in 2005. Gwang means "light" and Ju means "province."
The city was established in 57 BC, and has been a major political and economic centre of Korea ever since. It was one of the administrative centres of Baekje during the Three Kingdoms Period.
Modern industry was established in Gwangju with the construction of a railway to Seoul. Some of the industries that took hold includes cotton textiles, rice mills and breweries. Construction of a designated industrial zone in 1967 encouraged marked growth in industry, especially in the sectors linked to the automobile industry.
In 1929, during the period of Japanese rule, a confrontation between Korean and Japanese students in the city turned into a regional demonstration, which culminated in one of the major nationwide uprisings against Japanese rule during the colonial period.
In May 1980, civil demonstrations took place in Gwangju against the newly installed military government of Chun Doo-hwan. The demonstrations were suppressed by military forces, including elite units of the Special Operations Command. Most commentators agree that the suppression was characterized by its egregious brutality, including several incidents where military forces fired automatic weapons into crowds of unarmed demonstrators. Gwangju is sometimes called "the shrine of Korean democracy" because of this incident, which is known today as the Gwangju Democratization Movement. After civilian rule was reinstated, a national cemetery was established honoring the victims of the incident.
PLACE TO VISIT
Travellers coming to Gwangju can experience a slower paced experience than Seoul, whilst still getting the bali bali (hurry hurry) lifestyle of Korea. It's also a good hub for touring the surrounding province of South Jeolla.
Mudeung Mountain (Mudeungsan), to the south east of the city. It is a common occurrence to see photos of Mudeung in many stores or restaurants; if you see a snowy scene with jagged rocks that look almost like long blocks of stone, or a windswept yellow grass image in the same pose, that's Mudeung.
GwangJu is most known for its democratic uprising; and as such has two memorials, one in the above mentioned area SangMu-JiGu, the other the Cemetery which is north east of the city and is a very large memorial with detailed museums and educational facilities to enlighten visitors of the events that lead to the uprising.
Art Street. A back street spanning approximately three blocks. It is full of artists works in galleries and nicely decorate the streets glass cases at different times throughout the year. For artists seeking supplies, many of the stores also carry very affordable materials.
Since 2005, the river area has been undergoing a surprising facelift, stretching from GwangJu's most famous food,clothing and furniture market, YangDong Market, all the way out of the city in a south eastly direction. Along the river edge you can see a giant circle which is beautifully lit at night, as well as many other coloured lights which are becoming a symbol of GwangJu which as its slogan is promoted as the City of Light and Hope, and which has a large photonics district in its most northern dong Cheomdan.
Cheomdan also hosted a light festival in 2007, running from April 27th till June 24th; included in the festival were many exhibits and replicas of famous locations, and a performing circus.
Cheomdan is also home to the GIST(GwangJu Institute of Science and Technology), the area has also many foreign students studying abroad.
WHAT TO DO
Ice Skating is available at the Pung-Am World Cup Stadium athletics center for approximately 6500 Won.
The city-center is full with ground level shopping, cafés, bars and restaurants. Cars rarely enter the city center, so it is a pedestrian haven. It is, however, very small.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Gwangju Airport (IATA: KWJ) has flights to Seoul, Jeju and Shanghai.
Most travellers find it easier and cheaper to take a direct bus from Incheon International Airport instead (3-4 hours). There are 1-2 departures hourly and the cost ranges from 28,000 to 36,000 won.
By train - Korail and KTX trains run from Seoul multiple times a day and are the quickest option for travellers wanting to go to Gwangju from Seoul. The trip takes 3 hours and the cost is 33,000-39,000 won. Note that all trains depart from Yongsan Station in Seoul, not the main Seoul Station.
By bus - Buses from major cities throughout the country arrive and depart from Gwangju Bus Terminal, a large and very new bus station which every taxi driver in Gwangju will know as "bus terminal".
