Gwangyang City Introduces Must-Visit Attractions During Chuseok Holiday

Gubongsan Observatory, Baealdo Byeol Heneun Bridge, Jeonnam Provincial Museum of Art, and More

Enjoy Moon Viewing and a Museum Outing with Family

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do is attracting attention by introducing must-visit attractions for hometown visitors and tourists during the Chuseok holiday amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city recommended Gubongsan Observatory, Baealdo Star-Counting Bridge, and Jeonnam Provincial Museum of Art as places where families can spend a special Chuseok together.

First, Gubongsan Observatory was recommended as a moon-viewing spot where visitors can make wishes while gazing at the bright full moon along with a subtle night view.

Standing tall as a landmark at the summit 473 meters above sea level, Gubongsan Observatory offers a panoramic view of Gwangyang Port, Yi Sun-sin Bridge, Gwangyang Steelworks, and even distant views of Suncheon, Hadong, and Namhae at a glance.

As darkness falls, the metal art beacon tower emitting a golden light creates a mysterious beauty that earned Gubongsan Observatory a place in the Korea Tourism Organization’s Top 100 Night Views.

The ‘Baealdo Star-Counting Bridge,’ scheduled to open on the 16th, was also named a place worth visiting during Chuseok.

Baealdo is an island located where the Seomjin River meets the sea, connected to Mangdeok Port and Neighborhood Park by two marine pedestrian bridges.

Among them, the ‘Baealdo Star-Counting Bridge’ is a suspension pedestrian bridge that allows access to Baealdo from Mangdeok Port, catching the eye with its design inspired by the representative gizzard shad fish of Mangdeok Port.

Crossing the ‘Star-Counting Bridge,’ taking a walk around the beautiful island garden of Baealdo, and climbing to the summit Haewoonjeong pavilion to gaze at the blue sea naturally refreshes the mind.

After touring Baealdo, crossing the other marine pedestrian bridge, the ‘Baealdo Sunrise Bridge,’ and slowly strolling through Baealdo Neighborhood Park where pine and poplar trees sway is also recommended.

The name ‘Baealdo Star-Counting Bridge,’ selected through a naming contest, was inspired by the poem ‘Counting the Stars at Night’ from Yun Dong-ju’s ‘Sky, Wind, Stars, and Poetry,’ preserved at the Jeong Byeong-wook House in Mangdeok Port. The ‘Baealdo Sunrise Bridge’ embodies the symbolism of the sun and sunrise, representing Gwangyang as the city of light and sunshine, reflecting its beautiful location.

The Jeonnam Provincial Museum of Art, located in Gwangyang-eup, offers a rich variety of special exhibitions including the ‘Lee Kun-hee Collection Special Exhibition,’ ‘Master of Korean Calligraphy Sojeon Son Jae-hyung,’ ‘AES+F: Lost Hybrids, Cutting Through the Era,’ and the collection exhibition ‘Stories of That Day.’

The ‘Lee Kun-hee Collection Special Exhibition,’ which attracted attention even before its opening, features 21 works by nine masters who marked the history of modern and contemporary Korean art, including Kim Whanki, Chun Kyung-ja, and Yoo Youngkuk.

The ‘Sojeon Son Jae-hyung’ exhibition delivers a thrilling and moving experience by presenting Sojeon’s unique and witty calligraphy along with the historical story of how Chusa Kim Jeong-hui’s painting Sehando was preserved.

The first domestic curated exhibition of the Russian four-artist group ‘AES+F,’ who have been drawing attention since the 2007 Venice Biennale, continues to attract visitors daily with their fresh artistic world.

The Jeonnam Provincial Museum of Art operates normally except for Chuseok day, September 21 (Tuesday), and will be closed on the day after the holiday, September 23 (Thursday).

While on-site ticketing is available, it is advisable to reserve the desired date and time in advance in anticipation of a large number of visitors during the Chuseok holiday.

Other attractions where families can spend a special Chuseok include Okryongsa Camellia Forest, Yi Sun-sin Bridge & Haeoreum Overpass, Wine Cave & Eco Park, and Neuraengi-gol Natural Recreation Forest.

Park Soon-gi, head of the Tourism Division, said, “Although this Chuseok holiday is limited in meetings and travel due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, we hope everyone enjoys a healthy and abundant holiday by visiting the newly emerging attractions in Gwangyang with small family groups.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.