Top 10 places to visit in Gwangju North | Travel attraction recommendations
Top 10 places to visit in Gwangju North
hello? In this post, we will introduce the top 10 places in Gwangju North that offer a variety of attractions, from hidden gems to well-known tourist attractions.
The list, which was compiled based on the Korea Tourism Organization's popularity rankings, includes attractions that combine stunning natural scenery, rich historical heritage, and unique local culture.
Please refer to this information in your travel plans to create unique experiences and pleasant memories. We hope you have a great trip full of lively adventure!
Jungoe Park
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Introduction to Jungoe Park
Jungoe Park, located in Buk-gu, Gwangju, is an urban neighborhood park where you can relax in beautiful nature.
The park's wide lawn and various flowers and trees are planted, making it a famous spot for viewing spring flowers and foliage in fall.
Near Jungoe Park, there are a concentration of performance and exhibition facilities that can be enjoyed together, including the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall, Gwangju Culture and Arts Museum, and Gwangju Museum of Art.
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Jungoe Park basic information
Website http://tour.gwangju.go.kr
Operating hours 00:00~24:00
Parking facilities available (200 cars/Biennale parking lot 600 cars)
Open all year round on days off
Gwangju Lake
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Introduction to Gwangju Lake
Gwangju Lake, located 16km east of Gwangju, is an artificial lake that was completed in September 1976 by damming Goseocheon, a tributary of the Yeongsan River, as part of the Yeongsan River basin development project along with Damyang Lake, Naju Lake, and Jangseong Lake.
Although it is the smallest of the four lakes, the dam is 505m long and 25m high, so it is not small at all.
It was built by blocking Yongdaesan Mountain and the other side of Bunhyang-ri, Goseo-myeon, Damyang-gun. Construction began in 1974 and was completed in 1976.
Gwangju Lake is located at the foot of Mudeungsan Mountain and is a lakeside resort in harmony with the surrounding beautiful natural scenery. It is also popular as a fishing spot due to its abundant fish stock, and is visited by many vacationers.
In the Chunghyo-dong area upstream of Gwangju Lake, there are pavilions such as Sikyeongjeong, the historic site of Songgang Jeongcheol's gasa literature, as well as Hwanbyeokdang, Soswaewon, Chwigajeong, and Doksujeong, showing the essence of the garden culture of the Joseon Dynasty.
To the south of Gwangju Lake is the Lake Ecological Garden, which opened in 2006 and is loved by citizens as a place to learn about the natural ecology and relax.
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Gwangju Lake basic information
Website https://tour.gwangju.go.kr
Operating hours available at any time
Parking facilities available (use of Gwangju Lake Ecological Garden, parking for 180 cars)
Open all year round on days off
Wonhyosa Temple (Gwangju)
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Introduction to Wonhyosa Temple (Gwangju)
Wonhyosa Temple is located in the majestic mountain scenery of Wonhyo Valley on Mudeungsan Mountain in Gwangju and is a traditional temple with the most beautiful pavilion in Korea.
It is said that during the Silla Dynasty, Master Wonhyo loved the beauty of the mountain and built a hermitage here and named it Wonhyoam.
According to one theory, it was founded by a famous monk of Hwaeomjong during the reign of King Chungsuk of Goryeo and was named Wonhyoam out of his admiration for Wonhyo.
There is no way to prove the history after that, but it was reborn during the reign of Queen Munjeong, and it is also the place where Yeonggyu, a monk general during the reign of King Seonjo, practiced asceticism.
Seok-gyeong, who rebuilt Jeungsimsa Temple after it burned down during the Jeongyujae Rebellion, personally fired the tiles and rebuilt it.
The Dongbudo of Wonhyosa Temple, located at the foot of Wonhyobong Peak, is a work of art with the most outstanding carving techniques among existing stupas, and has unique humorous animal-shaped figures on all sides.
There is a tall and long staircase right in front of the temple, and the thick bamboo forest covers the sky on both sides, giving the illusion that the passage leading towards the temple is as if you are climbing into the sky.
The more than 100 relics, including bronzes, bronze Buddha figurines, bronze mirrors, and various sculptured Buddhas, excavated by the Gwangju National Museum's curatorial research team during the construction of the main hall in May 1980, are from various eras, from the end of the Unified Silla Dynasty to the Joseon Dynasty. It tells the long history of Wonhyosa Temple.
It is currently stored at the Gwangju National Museum.
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Wonhyosa Temple (Gwangju) Basic Information
Website http://tour.gwangju.go.kr
https://www.wonhyosa.org
Phone number 062-266-0326
Operating hours sunrise~sunset
Parking facilities available
Open all year round on days off
Chungjangsa Temple
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Introduction to Chungjangsa Temple
When you reach Baejae along the road leading to Wonhyosa Temple, you can see the magnificent building of Chungjangsa Temple along with the well-maintained tomb on the left.
This Chungjangsa Temple was built in 1975 as a shrine to commemorate General Kim Deok-ryeong, the Duke of Chungjang, who was born on Mt. Mudeung.
The precincts include Sau Chungjangsa Temple, where Kim Deok-ryeong's portrait and religious scriptures are enshrined, Dongjae and Study Hall, Eunryun Monument and Interpretation Monument, Relics Hall, Chungyongmun Gate, and Ikhomun Gate.
The relics museum exhibits the clothing of General Kim Deok-ryeong, which has been designated as important folklore material, as well as the coffin shell and handwriting excavated from the general's tomb.
On the hill behind the shrine, there is Kim Deok-ryeong's tomb and tombstone, as well as a family tomb.
The road to Chungjangsa Temple is a beloved driving course for the people of Gwangju.
In spring, yellow forsythia decorates the road, in summer, fresh green leaves grow thick and form a tunnel, in fall, red maple leaves color the forest, and in winter, snow flowers bloom on every tree, creating a spectacular sight as if you were in a snowy field.
This is a road that people in Gwangju enjoy because of its beautiful scenery.
* About General Kim Deok-ryeong General Kim Deok-ryeong was born in 1567 in Chunghyo-dong, Gwangju, as the second son of the Gwangsan Kim family.
He learned to read at a young age, and when he grew up, he studied under Woogye Seonghon and with Songgang Jeongcheol.
When the Imjin War broke out in 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo's reign), he participated in volunteer army activities with his older brother Deokhong.
At this time, his older brother Deokhong was killed in the Battle of Geumsan led by the righteous army general Jo Heon, and the general received the official position of Jwarang of Hyeongjo from King Seonjo at the recommendation of Damyang Busa Lee Gyeong-rin and Jangseong County Governor Lee Gwi.
In 1593, when he led about 5,000 volunteer soldiers from the Damyang region, the country appointed him as propaganda officer and gave him the title of General Ikho.
In 1594, under the command of General Kwon Yul, he defended the Japanese army in Jinhae and Goseong, and at the Battle of Jangmunpo, he defeated the Japanese army in a combined land and land battle with Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
In 1595, he made a great achievement by surprising and repelling the Japanese army that landed in Goseong, and was given the military title of Chungyongjang by King Seonjo.
In 1596, while suppressing the rebellion of Lee Mong-hak, Kim Deok-ryeong was imprisoned for framing and suffered various tortures. On September 15 of that year, at the age of 29, Kim Deok-ryeong was tortured in prison and died as a prisoner.
There is a biographical novel 《Kim Deok-ryeong-jeon》, an unknown author and date, that further praises Kim Deok-ryeong, who died unjustly despite making numerous contributions to the country, and describes his life and spiritual practices.
It was only in 1661 (the second year of King Heonjong's reign) that the duke's injustice became known to the government and his official position was reinstated. In 1668, he was declared an abomination in the Byeongjo Panseo and was enshrined in the Uiyeolsa Temple during the reign of King Yeongjo. In 1788, King Jeongjo bestowed the posthumous title of Duke of Chungjang on him. The village where he was born, Seokjeochon, was said to be a town of loyalty and filial piety, so it was changed to Chunghyo-ri.
Chungjangsa Temple basic information
Website https://tour.gwangju.go.kr
Operating hours summer 09:00~18:00
Winter season 09:00~17:00
Parking facility parking available
Open all year round on days off
Chungminsa Temple
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Introduction to Chungminsa Temple
Chungminsa Temple in Gwangju is a shrine that houses the portrait and memorial tablet of General Jeon Sang, who died fighting the Qing army at Anju Fortress during the reign of Jeongmyoho.
General Jeon Sang was a general who made meritorious contributions during the Japanese Invasion of Korea and the Jeongyujaeran War. After the war ended, he was posthumously appointed as Minister of Military Affairs and Minister of Jieugeum. His body was then moved from Anju to Gwangju, his birthplace, and he was buried west from here on July 26 of the same year. The funeral was held on Mt. Pyeongdu, which can be seen.
In 1977, the general's grave was designated as a local cultural heritage monument by gathering the will of the local residents of Gwangju, and Chungminsa Temple was completed in 1985.
Chungminsa Temple includes a shrine that houses the general's portrait and memorial tablet, as well as Shuimun Gate, Jeongryeo-gak, and a relics hall that displays the general's relics (armor, helmet, bow, sword, teaching paper, complete text, and medicine).
In addition, the street from Gwangju High School to Sagu-dong was named Gusung-ro to commemorate its name.
* General Jeon Sang General Jeon Sang was born in 1575 in Gudong, Gwangju.
The general, who was exceptionally strong and skilled in martial arts from a young age, passed the military service examination at the age of 29 in the 36th year of King Seonjo's reign (1603) and served in both internal and external positions after being appointed to the first position of propaganda officer.
In the 9th year of King Gwanghaegun's reign (1617), he went to Japan and contributed to the return to Korea of about 300 compatriots who had been kidnapped during the Japanese Invasion of Korea and the Jeongyujaeran War.
In January 1627, the 5th year of King Injo's reign, when the 30,000-strong army of the Qing Dynasty crossed the Yalu River and reached Hwangju, King Injo took refuge in Ganghwa Island and Crown Prince Sohyeon took refuge in Jeonju, and soon after concluded the Treaty of Peace.
At this time, the general fought for five days in the Anju Fortress battle and died a heroic death at the age of 53.
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Chungminsa Temple basic information
Website https://tour.gwangju.go.kr
Operating hours summer 09:00~18:00
Winter season 09:00~17:00
Parking facilities available (20 small cars)
Open all year round on days off
National May 18th Democratic Cemetery
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Introduction to the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery
This is a cemetery where victims of the Gwangju Democratization Movement that took place in 1980 are buried, and is also called the May 18 Cemetery.
With the inauguration of the civilian government, a re-evaluation of the May 18 Democratic Struggle was undertaken, and a movement to turn the graves of the May 18 victims into democratic shrines arose from meaningful citizens.
Gwangju Metropolitan City, with support from the central government, created the May 18 Cemetery on a 165k㎡ site at San 34, Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju.
In the cemetery, there are 764 tombs of the May 18th Movement (as of 2017), 7 buildings (Democratic Gate, Burial Ground, Gate of History, Sungmoru, Memorial Gate, Management Building, Lounge), historical space, Democracy Square, Worship plaza, exhibition space, symbolic sculpture, Gwangju Democratization Movement Memorial Tower, 7 historical grounds (righteous army, Donghak, March 1st Movement, Gwangju Student Movement, April 19 Revolution, Gwangju Democratization Movement, Unification Plaza), Constitutional Monument, Completion Memorial Tower It consists of etc.
The May 18 Democratic Uprising was a representative anti-democratic massacre committed in the process of suppressing the nationwide resistance movement that arose in May 1980 against the December 12 Incident and the plot by the military at the time to seize power, and was a citizen democratic uprising that resisted this. .
This cemetery honors the souls of the Gwangju citizens who sacrificed their lives here and is used as a living history education center to inform people that injustice and dictatorship can never again set foot in this land.
Meanwhile, the Democracy Tree Movement, which started to take care of the shrines of democracy with my own hands, served as an opportunity to spread the noble spirit of May 18th at home and abroad.
The pagoda body, a square pillar located in the center of the May 18 Cemetery, is 40m high and is shaped like a traditional Korean stone structure, Danganjiju, in a modern way.
The oval shape installed at the center in the shape of a clasped hand symbolizes the resurrection of new life, and the light reflected by the ever-changing sunlight is a seed of hope.
※ To maintain a reverent atmosphere, please refrain from wearing slippers or sleeveless clothing.
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Basic information about the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery
Website https://www.mpva.go.kr/518/index.do
Operating hours 09:00~18:00
Parking facilities available (a total of 380 large and small vehicles)
Hwanbyeokdang
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Introduction to Hwanbyeokdang
Hwanbyeokdang is a pavilion on a hill on the Chunghyo-dong side of Changgyecheon, upstream of Gwangju Lake. It was founded by Kim Yun-je (1501-1572), who served as a pastor in Naju, when he returned to his hometown, and worked hard for the military.
Hwanbyeok (環璧) literally means that the greenery forms a beautiful natural landscape as if it were forming a ring.
Hwanbyeokdang is a place of great humanistic value related to poetry literature and the history of Korean literature, and is a place that shows the representative pavilion culture of Honam, which has excellent value as a separate garden.
The name of the temple was created by Yeongcheonja Shinjam, and it is recorded in Go Gyeongmyeong's memoirs that it was also called Byeokgandang.
The building has 3 rooms on the front, 2 rooms on the sides, and a gable roof.
It is a modified form in which the middle two rooms are used as rooms and the front and right sides are covered with floors.
It was originally in the form of a traditional pavilion, but it is thought to have changed to its current form through later expansion.
Here, a memorial memorial written by Uam Song Si-yeol is hung, and poems by Seokcheon Im Eok-ryeong and Jo Ja-i are hung as a plaque.
There are two poems about Hwanbyeokdang written by Jeong Cheol, which are included in Song Gangsokjip and Gwangju Mokji.
Hwanbyeokdang tells an anecdote related to Jeongcheol.
One day, while Kim Yun-je was taking a nap here, he had a dream of a dragon ascending to heaven in front of Jodae.
Kim Yun-je, who woke up from a dream, felt strange and hurried down there to find a boy wrapping seaweed.
He was fascinated by the boy's extraordinary appearance and gave his granddaughter in marriage to this boy, who later became Jeong Cheol, who made a name for himself as a politician and writer.
Below Hwanbyeokdang are Jodae and Yongso, which are said to be where Kim Yun-je and Jeong Cheol first met.
Sikyeongjeong is located about 250m northeast of Changgyecheon, and Chwigajeong is located right next to Hwanbyeokdang.
Doksujeong and Soswaewon are located nearby, showing that this area was the center of garden culture during the Joseon Dynasty.
* Cousin Kim Yun-je Kim Yun-je (1501-1572) had his hometown in Gwangsan and was born in Chunghyo-ri.
He became a Jinsa in 1528, passed the civil service examination in 1532, entered government service as Seungmun Gyo-ri and Chunchugwan, and then served as local governors in 13 towns, including Hongmun-gwan Gyo-ri and Naju Mok-gwan.
After leaving government office, he returned to his hometown, built Hwanbyeokdang, and devoted himself to nurturing younger students. Representative students include Songgang Jeongcheol and Seohadang Kim Seowon.
Brothers Kim Deok-ryeong and Kim Deok-bo, generals of the righteous army during the Japanese invasions of Korea, were his great-grandchildren and were also influenced by academics.
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Basic information about Hwanbyeokdang
Website https://tour.gwangju.go.kr
Operating hours: Always open
Open all year round on days off
Gwangju Chunghyo-dong Yoji
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Introduction to Chunghyo-dong, Gwangju
This is a kiln site located in Chunghyo-dong, north of Mudeungsan Mountain, where inlaid celadon, Buncheong ware, and white porcelain were fired from the late Goryeo Dynasty to the early Joseon Dynasty.
The structure of the kiln consists of entrance facilities for people to enter and exit, a pottery room for placing pottery, and a chimney room, and is shaped like a connected round tomb.
Based on the records of 『Sejong Annals of Geography』 and the dates of the excavated relics, it is believed that it began to be made around 1430.
It is presumed that porcelain production continued for about 70 to 80 years and then stopped in the early 16th century.
Initially, only Buncheong ware was made, but when white porcelain began to be produced, it was also produced, but as the patterns of Buncheong ware became coarser, production decreased.
On the other hand, as white porcelain production began in earnest, the quality improved and production volume increased, resulting in a change in character from Buncheong ware kilns to white porcelain kilns.
While white porcelain is mainly small in size, Buncheong ware is available in both large and small sizes, and the types are very diverse, including plates, bells, cups, bottles, jars, inkstones, and ceramic ware.
The patterns mainly used in Buncheong ware include chrysanthemums, butterflies, fish, crabs, and clouds, and various patterns were also drawn in combination.
It was operated from the late Goryeo to the early Joseon, and is an important relic that allows us to understand the process of moving from celadon through Buncheong ware to white porcelain.
(Source: Gwangju Metropolitan City Buk-gu Culture and Tourism website)
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Basic information about Chunghyo-dong, Gwangju
home page http://culture.bukgu.gwangju.kr
http://www.cha.go.kr
Operating hours 09:00~18:00 (phone inquiry)
Parking facility parking available
Closed every Monday (phone inquiry)
Chunghyo-dong Jeongnyeo Monument
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Introduction to Jeongryeo Monument in Chunghyo-dong
This is a monument built in front of Chunghyo-ri Village to commemorate the loyalty, filial piety, and zeal of General Chungjanggong Kim Deok-ryeong (1568-1596), his wife Heungyang Lee, his older brother Deokhong, and his younger brother Deokjin family.
What makes this different from other gates is that the inscription on the plaque in front of this monument reads, “... in 1788, King Jeongjo, as Yuneum, commanded to build a front and back monument,” and gave it to the village by naming it Chunghyo Jiri. .
The monument was erected in 1789 (the 13th year of King Jeongjo's reign) and has a three-line epitaph engraved on the front.
The size of the monument is 220cm in total height, 110cm in base height, 171cm in height, 68cm in width, and is topped with a big hat.
The monument has 3 rooms on the front and 1 room on the side with a gable roof and is surrounded by three gates and a fence.
The monument was built in 1792, and has undergone several renovations since then.
On the front of the monument, there is a plaque that reads, “Jeongjo Eoje Yun-eum [Jeongjo Eoje Yun-eum]” written by Jeonju Buyun Han Yong-gu.
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Basic information about Jeongnyeo Monument in Chunghyo-dong
Wangbeodeul-gun, Chunghyo-dong, Gwangju
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Introduction to Wangbeodeul-gun, Chunghyo-dong, Gwangju
The willow tree, located along the road between the eastern shore of Gwangju Lake and Chunghyo-dong village, is a large leafed large tree belonging to the willow family.
Male and female trees form a single tree, flowers bloom in April and fruits ripen in May.
It is distributed in the southern region of Gyeonggi-do in Korea, some regions south of the central region, and central China, and is widely loved as a wind chime tree and a pavilion tree.
It grows near water or in fields, and its wood is used for furniture and firewood.
The three willow trees in Chunghyo-dong are all designated as Gwangju City trees, and they were originally called Ilsong, Ilmae, and Oryu (一松·一梅·五柳) and are said to have been symbolic landscaping trees of the village.
However, the plum blossom and willow trees withered and died, and another willow tree and pine tree were cut down while widening and paving the road in front of the village, so now only three willow trees remain.
The village has planted two willow trees again and plans to continue planting pine trees and plum trees.
The history of Chunghyo-dong is unclear, but since there has been a castle since ancient times, it has been called Seongan or Seokjeochon.
This area had already been built before the Japanese invasions of Korea, including Yangsanbo's Soswaewon, Kim Yun-je's Hwanbyeokdang, and Kim Seong-won's Sikyeongjeong and Nuhadang. ), etc., there are many gardens and pavilions, which had a great influence on the surrounding landscaping.
* Tree size 1) Height 9m, circumference 6.25m, crown width 11.5 × 18.9m 2) Height 10m, circumference 5.95m, crown width 14.0 × 14.0m 3) Height 12m, circumference 6.30m, crown width 16.6 ×27.0m
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Image source: Korea Tourism Organization
Basic information of Wangbeodeul-gun, Chunghyo-dong, Gwangju
Homepage http://bukgu.gwangju.kr/culture/
Operating hours 00:00~24:00
Open all year round on days off
This was an introduction to the top 10 places worth visiting in Gwangju North.
thank you
Comments
Post a Comment