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Gwangju
| Overview | Stadium
| Tourist | Festivals & Events |
Food | Accommodation | Tours
| Directories |
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Gwangju, located in the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula,
is the fifth largest city in Korea with a population of 1.3 million.
As a home to a great number of cultural artifacts from the Baekje
Dynasty and the artistic and scholarly works of the Joseon Dynasty,
the city is known as a mecca of culture and arts. Befitting its
cultural background, Gwangju is where many famous scholars and artists
were born. Most notably, it is the birthplace of pansori (traditional
narrative singing), a unique musical genre unlike anything else
in the world.
Gwangju's love of the arts is celebrated with the Gwangju Biennale,
an international art festival that began in 1995 and has attracted
some of Asia's and the world's most recognized modern artists.
Gwangju is also famous for its food, in particular, its "traditional
menu" featuring an assortment of hearty dishes guaranteed to
leave an unforgettable impression on tastebuds.
Gwangju has also historically played a key role in Korean politics
and in the march toward democracy.
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| Gwangju
World Cup Stadium |
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Name: Gwangju World Cup Stadium
Location: Pungam-dong, Seogu, Gwangju
Capacity: 44,118 seats (football-only stadium)
Completion Date: November 13, 2001
Features
- Stadium roof covers 100% of the VIP seats, press areas, and
60% for the public seating
- Two large color scoreboard and three-tiered stand
- Construction began in November 1998 and completed in September
2001
Plans for Stadium Usage
- Fitness center, aerobics class, ping-pong court, taekwondo gym,
judo gym, bowling alley, badminton court, indoor golf range, racquetball
court, squash court
- Restaurants, bars, shopping center, coffee shops
- Performance halls, puppet theater, traditional cultural arts class,
youth hostel, kindergarten
Main Projects
- Build a high-tech science & industrial complex (ex: invite
a high-tech 'brain research center')
- Internationally publicize the cultural art events such as Gwangju
Biennale and go-fight
- Develop Gwangju into an environment-friendly city
- Further promote cultural exchanges between the co-host cities
of Japan
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- Formed into an image of light (*Gwang-ju:
Light-village in Korean)
- Designed with a perfect curved line that represents Mt.
Mudeung-san and go-fight, a traditional folk play
- An open-type stadium viewable from outside
From Gwangju Airport (9.3km): bus No. 106/ every
70 minutes// takes 30 minutes
From Gwangju Station (6.4km): bus No. 36/ every 12 minutes//
takes 25 minutes
From Gwangcheon Terminal (4.7km): bus No. 36/ every 12 minutes// takes 20 minutes
From downtown: bus No. 16, 22, 34,
36, 37, 106, 583// takes about 20-30 minutes
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Mudeungsan (mountain)
Mudeungsan stands in the center of Gwangju, where its thick forests
offer rest and relaxation to the citizens of Gwangju. Rising 1,187
meters above sea level, it is famous for its beautiful landscape
and fresh air..
Soswoewon (garden)
Soswoewon is a representative garden of the mid-Joseon Dynasty.
Streams run down between the jagged rocks, eventually flowing into
the pond. Set in harmony with the surrounding lush pine forests,
the garden is reminiscent of a serene Oriental painting.
Unjusa (temple)
According to the legend, Buddhist monk named Doseonguksa (late
Silla period) built Unjusa, building one thousand Buddhas and stone
pagodas over night. Surrounded by thick forests, the various-sized
stone Buddha images and pagodas create a mysterious atmosphere.
May 18 Cemetery
The cemetery was built in honor of those who sacrificed their
lives in May 1980, during the resistance against the military dictatorship.
This site is a symbol of Gwangju citizens’ spirit of justice.
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Damyang Bamboo Museum
The only museum in the world portraying bamboo products.
It houses around 1,150 ancient and modern bamboo goods from
the Damyang area as well as other countries around the world.
There is also a gift shop inside the museum, selling beautifully
crafted bamboo artifacts.
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Gwangju National Museum
Located north of downtown Gwangju, the museum houses artifacts
excavated from a Chinese commercial vessel found off the coast
of Sinan in 1976. Also in the museum are artifacts from prehistoric
Gwangju, relics of the Baekje royal family, dating from 18
B.C. to A.D. 660. It also features other ancient artifacts,
paintings and art works
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Go-fighting
Folk Game
The 15th day of the first lunar month, in Chilseok-dong, Nam-gu.
Two teams consisting of dozens of people compete with each other
by tugging on a thick, sturdy rope. The game, which is usually
enjoyed on the full moon of the first lunar month, is believed
to foretell whether the harvest in the coming year will be good
or bad. |
Gwangju
Gimchi Grand Festival
Mid-October, Jungoe Park in the downtown Gwangju and the Municipal
Folk Museum.
All sorts of Gimchi are exhibited during the festival and various
programs, such as Gimchi-making and Gimchi-themed writing contest
are presented.
Gwangju
Biennale
The Gwangju Biennale is Korean first international contemporary
art event of its kind inaugurated in 1995. This is significant not
only for the Korean art community, but for the nation as a whole
considering the historical importance of the city.
The theme of Gwangju Biennale 2002(fourth Gwangju Biennale), 멈_춤,
P_A_U_S_E,_止_focuses primarily on a moment of critical reflection
and dynamic change on the global art scene. Secondary focuses are
on the cultural and artistic growth of the host city Gwangju, on
alternative art and on communication among artist groups. The biennale
will be centered around various events, including an exhibition
composed of four projects.
website : www.gwangju-biennale.org
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Hanjeongsik
The Jeollanam-do Province(Gwangju is the capital of Jeollanam-do),
is a destination for visiting gourmands. Even in small, relatively
unknown restaurants, visitors are amazed by the lavish meals complete
with a variety of delicious side dishes. It is recommended that visitors
wear a size-adjustable belt to be able to taste the many dishes served
here. |
| Accommodation(name
of hotels/number of guest rooms)
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Two deluxe hotels (Mudeung Park/110, Prado/99), eight first-class
hotels (Sinyang Park/ 92, Prince/74, Grand/65, Kukje/57, Chowon/57,
Grand Prix/52, Koreana/43, Palace/43), one second-class hotel (Riverside/35)
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Half-day
tour
• Gwangju World Cup Stadium Unam-dong Biennale
Exhibition Hall Gwangju World Cup Stadium
• Gwangju World Cup Stadium Unam-dong Culture and Art Center
Gwangju National Museum Gwangju World Cup Stadium
One-day
tour
• Gwangju World Cup Stadium
Biennale Exhibition Hall
Damyang Bamboo Museum
Sosoewon (garden), Sikyeongjeong (pavilion)
Gwangju World Cup Stadium
• Gwangju World Cup Stadium Biennale Exhibition Hall
Gwangju Station Gwangju City Hall
Dogok Hot Springs Unjusa (temple) Hwasun Dolmen
Park Naju Nampyeong Gwangju World Cup Stadium
Two-day
tour
• Gwangju World Cup Stadium Biennale Exhibition Hall
Damyang Bamboo Museum Gurye Hwaeomsa (temple) Gwangyang
Iron Co. Yeosu downtown (Hotel) sunrise
of Hyangilam (rock) Yeosu Odongdo (island) Nakaneupseong
(castle) Dolmen Park Gwangju World Cup Stadium
Three-day
tour
• Gwangju World Cup Stadium
Biennale Exhibition Hall
Hwaeomsa (temple)
Mt. Jirisan Nogodan (peak)
Jirisan Hot Springs
(Hotel)
Gwangyang Plum Park
Suncheon downtown
Boseong Tea Farm
Gangjin Celadon Data Museum
(Hotel)
Dr. Wangin Historic Site
May 18 Cemetery
Geumnamno
Gwangju World Cup Stadium
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Tourism Information Service
Hospitals
- Chosun University Hospital +82-62-220-3114
- Chonnam National University Hospital +82-62-220-5114, +82-62-225-8330
- Dong-a Hospital +82-62-650-2500
- Eun Hospital +82-62-269-1500
- Hyeondae Jungang Clinic +82-62-373-6882
Transportation
- Gwangju Airport +82-62-940-0323
- Gwangju Station +82-62-524-7788
- Nam Gwangju Station +82-62-224-7781
- Hanam Station +82-62-952-3754
- Gwangju Terminal +82-62-360-8800
Budget
Accommodation Reservation Service |
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