Two days were enough — for Gwangju to find its way into my heart.
Gwangju isn’t as flashy as Seoul,
nor as loud as Busan —
but those who’ve been know.
They know how much story and soul hide in its quiet alleys.
In just one city,
you can be amazed by duck soup,
reflect on democracy,
laugh in a village full of penguins,
get lost in art,
and feel completely at ease over a glass of makgeolli.
It sounds unlikely — but Gwangju makes it happen. In just two days.
📍7 Reasons Why You Should Travel to Gwangju
🦆 A bowl of duck soup, and you’re hooked.
🕊️ Face history that moves your heart.
🎨 Every street corner oozes art and soul.
🍚 From ssambap to makgeolli — a feast for every craving.
🐧 Penguin Village? Yes, it’s a real place — and it’s adorable.
🛍️ Shop. Drink. Sing. Repeat — only at Chungjang-ro.
🧭 Slower than Seoul, deeper than Busan.
📍2-Day Gwangju Itinerary Summary
🕐 Day 1
🚉 Arrival at Gwangju Station (Saemaeul-ho Train 새마을호)
🍲 Duck Soup Street – Local lunch at a famous duck soup restaurant(영미 오리탕)
🏛️ Jeonil Building 245 & Namdo Tourism Center – History + travel info in one stop
📚 May 18 Democratization Movement Archives
🕊️ May 18 Democracy Square & Former Jeonnam Provincial Office – Gwangju’s historical heart
🎨 Art Street – A charming stroll through artistic alleys
🛍️ Chungjang-ro(충장로) – Street shopping and exploring
🍶 Dinner Part 1: Local soju room “Mulrebang-a(물레방아)”
🍢 Dinner Part 2: Korean-style izakaya “Sujak(수작)”
🕐 Day 2
🥬 Sansu Ssambap(산수쌈밥) – Healthy and hearty traditional brunch
☕ Dongmyeong-dong Cafe Street (a.k.a. “Donglidan-gil동리단길”) – Strolling & desserts in a cozy vibe
🌳 Sky Garden – Relax and snap a shot on the lawn
🏛️ Asia Culture Center (ACC) – Exhibition & cultural experience
🐧 Yangnim-dong & Penguin Village – Retro vibes and photogenic alleys
🍜 Kalguksu(칼국수 knife-cut noodles) – A warm, simple bowl in a local alley
🛍️ Daein Market(대인시장) – Chive pancake + Mudeungsan makgeolli (무등산 막걸리 rice wine)
🚆Gwangju Station → Head home
🚉 Taking the Slower Train to Gwangju – Why We Chose Gwangju Station Over the KTX
When we planned our 2-day trip to Gwangju, the first big decision was: how should we get there?
Sure, we could’ve taken Korea’s fastest high-speed train, the KTX.
But instead, we chose the slower Saemaeul-ho train(새마을호) — and there’s a reason for that.
It’s because it stops at Gwangju Station, which is located right in the city center.
In contrast, the KTX stops at Gwangju-Songjeong Station, which sits on the southwestern outskirts of the city. From there, you’ll need to take a bus or taxi to reach downtown.
Gwangju Station, on the other hand, put us right where we wanted to be — close to the main sights and ready to start exploring.
📌 Quick Tip: Which Train to Take to Gwangju?
- Prioritizing speed? → Take the KTX (Gwangju-Songjeong Station)
- Prioritizing convenience and city access? → Take the Saemaeul-ho or Mugunghwa-ho (Gwangju Station)
→ We chose the Saemaeul-ho to Gwangju Station, and it was the perfect choice for our trip.
🚖 Local Transport Tip: If You Take the KTX, Just Grab a Taxi
Public transportation in Gwangju isn’t as smooth or frequent as in Seoul or Busan.
While there are buses, they tend to run less often and take longer — not ideal for tight travel schedules.
If you do arrive at Gwangju-Songjeong Station(광주송정역 KTX), I strongly recommend taking a taxi into the city.
It’s faster, easier, and much more relaxing — especially if you’re carrying luggage.
💡Pro tip: Use the KakaoTaxi app for hassle-free rides!
🎒 2 Days in Gwangju — A Real, Flavorful, and Soulful Trip
💙DAY 1
Slow Vibes, Bold History, and a Night to Remember
🌿 First Impressions of Gwangju
A City That Moves at Its Own Pace
As soon as we stepped out of Gwangju Station, we could feel it — the atmosphere was different.
Not as rushed as Seoul or Busan. A bit quieter, a bit slower.
The streets felt calm, the sky looked wider, and people seemed warmer.
In just two days, this city managed to surprise us in the best possible ways —
with its powerful history, unique neighborhoods, and unforgettable food.
🦆 Our First Meal in Gwangju
Duck Soup
One of the highlights of our trip was, without a doubt, ori-tang (duck soup) — a beloved local specialty that Gwangju is famous for.
We had ours at the most popular spot in Duck Soup Alley: Yeongmi Ori-tang (영미오리탕).
Packed with locals and full of rich, savory flavor, it was everything we hoped for and more.
From the tender duck meat to the perfectly seasoned broth and crisp water parsley,
this dish alone is a reason to visit Gwangju.
📝 Want the full review, menu details, prices, and local tips?
👉 Read our full Yeongmi Ori-tang post here.
🏛️ Walking Through History
Gwangju’s Past in Real Time
No trip to Gwangju is complete without taking time to understand its past.
We visited three of the city’s most important historical sites:
Jeonil Building 245, the May 18 Democratization Movement Archives, and Democracy Square with the former Jeonnam Provincial Office.
and where something is still being said
— Gwangju, a city alive.
Rather than just reading about them or watching a documentary, you feel the weight of history here — in the architecture, in the silence, in the stories carved into each space.
📌 For a deeper dive into these powerful places, check out my full post here:
👉 3 Historic Landmarks in Gwangju That Every Traveler Must See
🎨🛍️ Art, Culture, and Night Vibes
From Art Street to Chungjang-ro
After spending time at some of Gwangju’s most historic sites, we headed toward Art Street.
It’s a narrow alley stretching about 600 meters, with a collection of galleries, calligraphy shops, studios, and craft stores.
But to be honest, the scale was smaller than we expected — just a few quiet galleries here and there.
Still, it was a nice transition, especially since Art Street connects directly to Chungjang-ro, the city’s busiest downtown street.
Chungjang-ro is filled with shops, snack stalls, and cafés,
making it a great place to explore, grab a bite, or simply soak up the local energy.
As night fell, the vibe completely changed.
We kicked off dinner at a cozy local soju bar called Mulrebang-a (물레방아) —
a spot full of nostalgic vibes, generous plates, and the kind of charm only locals truly know.
After that, we moved on to a Korean-style izakaya called Sujak (수작),
where hot soup dishes and drinks made for the perfect second round.
Naturally, we finished the night at a coin karaoke booth, singing our hearts out until we couldn’t hold the mic anymore. 🎤
💙DAY 2
Food, Art, Alleys, and Local Life
🥬 Brunch at Sansu Ssambap
A Healthy, Hearty Start to the Day
We started our second day with a balanced and satisfying brunch at Sansu Ssambap (산수쌈밥), one of Gwangju’s most well-known spots.
The table was filled with fresh vegetables, a variety of side dishes, grilled meat, and ssam (lettuce wraps).
It was the kind of meal that makes you feel good — not just full, but refreshed and ready to walk all day.
Curious about the full meal, prices, and why locals love this place?
👉 Read our full Sansu Ssambap review here
☕ Dongmyeong-dong Café Street
“Donglidan-gil” Vibes with Coffee and Charm
After our meal, we headed to Dongmyeong-dong Café Street, also known as “Donglidan-gil (동리단길)” — a neighborhood known for its charming cafés housed in renovated hanoks and homes. The area has become a favorite hangout spot for locals and young travelers alike.
The streets were quiet, the atmosphere calm — a perfect place to slow down with a cup of coffee.
That said, when we visited on a weekday, the area felt quieter than expected.
Several cafés were closed, and there weren’t many people around.
It may have been due to the season or the time of the week, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Still, we found a nice spot, enjoyed some dessert and coffee, and had a peaceful break in the middle of our day.
🏛️ Asia Culture Center (ACC)
A Cultural Powerhouse That Reflects the Soul of Gwangju
While Gwangju is often known for its food and history,
the Asia Culture Center adds a whole new layer to the city’s identity.
It’s where you can slow down, reflect, and experience Gwangju’s deep cultural roots — not through textbooks, but through art, design, and space itself.
If you’re planning a trip to Gwangju, make time for the ACC.
You won’t regret it.
Opened in 2015, the ACC is a massive multi-complex cultural hub designed to promote Asian cultural exchange, education, and research.
It features various spaces such as the Cultural Information Center, Culture Creation Center, Democracy and Peace Exchange Center, Asia Plaza, library, and the Sky Garden — all housed in sleek, modern architecture that’s a joy to walk through.
We began at the Sky Garden, a peaceful rooftop lawn perfect for a short break and a few photos, and then explored the main permanent exhibition.
It was thoughtfully curated, visually impressive, and rich in meaning. That’s when I truly understood why people call Gwangju “the city of culture and art.”
🕓 Visitor Info
🔹Indoor Facilities: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🕗Extended hours (until 8:00 PM) on Wednesdays & Saturdays for the Cultural Information & Culture Creation Centers
📖Special Reading Room: Tue–Fri, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (closed 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM)
🔹Outdoor Areas: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
🔹Closed on: Mondays & January 1st
(Hours may vary depending on events or exhibitions)
🔹Official Website: www.acc.go.kr
🐧 Yangnim-dong & Penguin Village
Retro Vibes, Street Art, and Photo Ops Everywhere
Next stop: Yangnim-dong and its quirky little neighbor, Penguin Village.
These neighborhoods mix old and new in the most delightful ways.
Penguin Village is filled with recycled art, handmade installations, and retro touches on every corner.
We took so many photos we lost count — it was just that fun.
👉 Want to see more photos and stories from this unique place?
Check out our full Penguin Village post here.
🍜 A Bowl of Kalguksu in a Quiet Alley
Simple. Warm. Perfect.
After walking through Yangnim-dong’s maze-like alleys, we found a small local spot and had a bowl of kalguksu (칼국수 knife-cut noodles).
Nothing fancy — just warm, clean flavors that felt like comfort in a bowl.
🛍️ Daein Market
Pancakes, Makgeolli, and a Taste of Local Life
Our final stop was Daein Market (대인시장).
It’s known for its Saturday night market, but we went on a quiet weekday afternoon — and loved it.
We stepped into a tiny local bar where older folks were chatting over drinks, and joined them with buchujeon (부추전 chive pancake) and Mudeungsan makgeolli (무등산 막걸리).
It was the kind of moment that made us feel like we were part of the neighborhood.
🚆 Gwangju Station → Back to Reality
A Quiet Ride, a Full Heart
We took a taxi back to Gwangju Station, packed our things, and boarded the train.
The scenery slowly slipped away, and the two-day trip quietly came to an end.
The journey was over, but a part of me felt like it had stayed behind in Gwangju.
Gwangju doesn’t try to impress you.
It simply stands still — quietly —
and step by step, it finds its way into your heart.
And on the way back,
you might find yourself thinking,
“I wish I could’ve stayed just a little longer.”
