Location: Hwasun-gun
Top Things to do in Hwasun-gun
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Hwasun-gun, South Korea
Hwasun-gun in South Korea, from Asia region, is best know for Parks. Discover best things to do in Hwasun-gun with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Hwasun-gun
1. Mudeungsan National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By acmbraun - Charlotte, North Carolina
For English speakers who visit Gwangju without a car, there are several options for getting an introduction to this massive group of mountain peaks, even if you have little time. Obviously, the national park is ideal for hikers, but there are ways for non-hikers to enjoy a little of the park as well. The option we chose first was to take bus # 1000 (17 and 27 are other buses that will get you there) to the Jisan Recreational Area entrance, walk cross the street to the hotel, buy tickets for the chair lift and the monorail in the building beside the hotel, and ascend effortlessly up Hyangnobong Peak, just outside the border of the national park. From the chair lift it is an easy walk to the monorail departure station. The equipment is probably about 30 years old, so there is a small amount of risk incurred, but if you're not afraid of heights, it is well worth the ride. The monorail allows access to the Jatgogae Observatory on Hyangnobong by way of climbing a number of steps. From this viewpoint, one has an excellent view of Gwangju. The downside to taking this option first is that there is no national park office, and it would be better to have a guide to the park in English, which you can get from the national park office in Gwangju or from any of the Visitors Centers within the park. After descending by hiking (although a round trip chair lift is available and recommended if you are not used to steep, rocky trails), we managed to find another bus (# 51, 09, 29 & 29 are your options) to get to the Jeungsim Information Center. Here we found the English guide map and a nice stroll along a beautiful cascading stream to the Jeungsimsa (temple). Although the path to the temple is sharply uphill, it is a lovely place to see. The other popular route into Mudeungsan which we did not explore is to take bus # 1187 to Wonhyosa Temple; from that entrance more of the major hiking trails are easily accessible. The important thing is not to miss Mudeungsan National Park if you are visiting in the Gwangju area.
2. Unjusa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Michael D - Shanghai, China
Unjusa is very out of the way. You take a bus from in front of the Gwangju bus terminal for about an hour out into the country side and just hope you don't miss the place to get off. That being said, the temple itself is fantastic. While there is a temple, it's more of a collection of Buddha statues and pagodas of different sizes and designs. It was one of my first excursions in Korea and I still think of it fondly.
3. May 18th National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By H1732015 - Seoul, South Korea
The Memorial and the museum are a good introduction to the Gwangju Uprising of 1980. The graves of the victims are moving, as is the Memorial Hall. The exhibits in the museum may occasionally seem overemotional, but the movie provides historical background. Well worth the longish trip out on the aptly-named 518 bus. A little further up the road is the original burial place of the victims, if you have time make your way up there, too.
4. Gwangju Folk Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By EconProf - Fargo, North Dakota
We took a cab from our hotel (Firenze Hotel) and the cost was about 5000 won. The museum is well-organized and most of the information is available in English. The museum traces the customs of Korea from birth to death. I especially enjoyed the displays of local food since it helped me to identify some of the things we had been eating.
The museum takes 1 - 2 hours to visit and is free. It's next to the Art Museum and you can also walk to the Gwangju National Museum from the Folk museum (ask for directions). It's about a ten minute walk. We visited both museums in the morning.
5. Pungam Reservoir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Maria L - Gwangju, South Korea
CAn energetic jog or a romantic walk. Pungam Reservoir is a great idea. Connecting World Cup Stadium, Yeomju Gymnasium, Lotte Outlet stores & mall, AND entrances to hikes on Keumnam Mtn. Safe, family friendly with spots to use the communal exercise equipment that is ubiquitous in Korea.
6. Soswaewon Garden
Overall Ratings
4 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By kjmagnuson - Los Angeles, California
Who knew exile could be so peaceful? This remote location is the real-life place of exile for an important Joseon politician in the early 16th century. The scenery is superb, and one can easily imagine a brilliant (ambitious) politician being sent here for a life of poetry and solitude.
Soswaewon Garden is a classic example of Korean garden design. While many will be familiar with Japanese and Chinese Gardens, Korean garden design is still (sadly) unrecognized internationally. Korean garden design is less structured, more natural, and brilliantly colored during spring and fall. Indeed, some have mentioned Korean Gardens lack so many artificial features they are difficult to recognize as a designed landscape.
During my visit to Damyang I enjoyed this garden for its bright green foliage, historic location, and quaint stream. Walking to the site you are rewarded with a splendid view of the property.
7. Daewonsa Tibet Bangmulgwan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By ZeroKYK
대원사 티벳박물관..
박물관 용도의 건물이라기 보다는
그냥 3층 주택 같은 건물은 보잘 것 없었고,
전시물들도 정신없게 디스플레이된 느낌은 조금 있지만,
구석구석 숨어있는 이국적인 전시물들에게서
낯선 티벳문화를 충분히 맛볼 수 있는 곳입니다.
봄이면 벚꽃나들이 하기도 좋은 곳이랍니다.
8. Mudeungsan Jeungsimsa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Aryun - United States
A lot of temples in Korea look alike. That said, this one was well maintained and not very popular despite being beautiful. Stop by for a moment of peace. The monks here were rather friendly, perhaps because they don’t get as many tourists as the other temples we have been to do.
9. World Cup Stadium
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By Andrew T - Gwangju, South Korea
The World Cup Stadium is a fantastic arena that was a cauldron during the Football World Cup in 2002. Since then it has rarely seen the same attention. Gwangju has only recently formed a K-League football team and with little full time support in a city obsessed with baseball and the Kia Tigers match days can feel a little souless. There is a park and a large shopping centre right by the stadium and you can take drinks and food in which is great. The tickets are also cheap at 10,000 won.
If you have a spare couple of hours in Gwangju on match day then grab a pizza and some beers from the store next door and give it a try but I would not make it a "must do" by any means.
10. Gwangju National Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By jessolo - Gwangju, South Korea
The Gwangju National Museum has 4 exhibition rooms on 2 floors. Of particular interest is the Buddhist art hall as many of the relics have been found locally. What sets this museum apart though is the staff. We were greeted by exceptionally friendly staff who are clearly passionate about what they do. On the second floor we received a guided tour by one of the curators who was very knowledgeable. All staff we met seemed to be well versed in English as well. It is free to visit the museum.
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