Gwangyang City, June is the Month to Travel to Gwangyang

Yudang Park, Seoul National University Southern Practice Forest Residence, Maechun Hwanghyeon Birthplace, etc.

Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do has introduced travel courses in Gwangyang where families, couples, and other loved ones can spend meaningful time together, welcoming the fresh gateway of summer in June.

The city has designed three courses?half-day, one-day, and one-night two-day courses?centered around spaces rich in history such as Yudang Park, the Seoul National University Southern Practice Forest Residence, and the Maechun Hwanghyeon Birthplace.

Maecheon Hwanghyeon Birthplace

The half-day course, "Half a Day in Gwangyang," connects Yudang Park ~ Jeollanam-do Provincial Museum of Art & Gwangyang Art Warehouse ~ Seoul National University Southern Practice Forest Residence ~ Maechun Hwanghyeon Birthplace.

Yudang Park is a historic garden featuring ancient trees like Pujona and Zelkova over 500 years old and a quaint pond, creating a serene atmosphere perfect for leisurely strolls and contemplation.

The Seoul National University Southern Practice Forest Residence, opened to the public in February after 105 years, was built during the Japanese colonial period within the practice forest of Keijo Imperial University and showcases the spatial composition style of Japanese housing.

The Maechun Hwanghyeon Birthplace is where the spirit of Maechun, who left four death poems and resolutely committed suicide in protest against Japan’s annexation of Korea’s sovereignty, lives on. It features a thatched-roof house with a porch, along with a pavilion and a well.

Nearby, Maechun History Park includes Maechun’s tomb, a monument shaped like a brush and book, Yeongmojae, and poetry monuments, making it an ideal place to stroll while commemorating Maechun, an outstanding literary figure and historian.

The one-day course, "A Full Day in Gwangyang," includes the Jeong Byeong-uk House preserving the posthumous works of Yun Dong-ju ~ Baealdo Island Garden ~ delightful gourmet experiences ~ Gubongsan Observatory ~ Gwangyang Wine Cave ~ Jeollanam-do Provincial Museum of Art & Gwangyang Art Warehouse ~ Inseori Park ~ Seoul National University Southern Practice Forest Residence.

Gwangyang-eup Yudang Park

At Mangdeok Port, where the Seomjin River flows into the sea after running 550 ri, there is the Jeong Byeong-uk House, which preserved the handwritten posthumous works of Yun Dong-ju, Korea’s most beloved poet, and a poetry garden. Crossing the Star-Counting Bridge leads visitors to the Baealdo Island Garden.

The Gubongsan Observatory, located at the summit 473 meters above sea level, offers an open view that grants spiritual freedom to modern people weary of daily life, and the Gwangyang Wine Cave, a repurposed abandoned tunnel, is a romantic summer retreat.

"Star-Counting Night in Gwangyang" is a one-night two-day course that allows visitors to explore Gwangyang’s nature and culture from Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest to Seomjin River Mangdeok Port and enjoy beautiful night views.

The first day’s course includes Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest ~ Maechun Hwanghyeon Birthplace ~ delightful gourmet experiences ~ Inseori Park ~ Jeollanam-do Provincial Museum of Art & Gwangyang Art Warehouse ~ Marosan Fortress ~ Gubongsan Observatory ~ Yi Sun-sin Bridge. On the second day, the journey concludes at the Kim Si-sik Site ~ Baealdo Island Garden & Mangdeok Port.

Located on the slopes of Baegunsan Mountain at 1,222 meters above sea level, Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest is a wellness tourism destination equipped with a healing forest, wood culture experience center, loess road (barefoot experience area), seminar rooms, and lodging facilities.

The healing forest and wood culture experience center require advance reservations through the Gwangyang City Hall integrated reservation system, and the facility is closed on Mondays.

The Kim Si-sik Site, where seaweed was first cultivated and which has recently captivated global palates to become a K-food sensation, is also a popular and unique historical space.

Kim Seong-su, Director of Tourism, said, “The June Gwangyang travel courses focus on unique spaces found only in Gwangyang, such as Yudang Park, Seoul National University Southern Practice Forest Residence, Maechun Hwanghyeon Birthplace, and the Kim Si-sik Site.” He added, “Whether it’s a brief visit or a longer stay, we hope Gwangyang travel will become a journey that engraves special meaning into precious lives.”

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