2025 Gwangju Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in February)

Strolling through South Korea’s hidden spot Hwadam and open parks, the crisp autumn air fills my lungs as leaves crunch underfoot. The city feels alive, painted in warm oranges and fiery reds, each corner a perfect blend of tradition and nature. Finding a quiet bench, I pause, taking in the beauty, feeling utterly at peace.#100waysoftravel #Autum #southkorea #travel

When it comes to autumn, Hwadam Forest is one of the most popular hotspots! Famous for its autumn foliage, Hwadam Forest is so popular that getting tickets can be quite challenging. It's a favorite destination for many people! Not only for the autumn leaves, but the beautiful natural scenery makes it a great place to take a walk and enjoy nature. You'll love it when you visit! ▫️Hwadam Forest 📍278-1, Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🕰️Tue-Sun 09:00~18:00 ❗️Closed every Monday

Korea is a gourmet country that you can visit from Japan as if it were a domestic destination 🇰🇷 I'm sure many of you have been there many times! So, this time I'll introduce you to a hidden gem that tends to be off the beaten path! Namhansanseong Fortress, located a little away from Seoul ✨ This place is less crowded than the standard Gyeongbokgung Palace, so you can take a leisurely stroll and take retro photos that are Korean-style without worrying about other people! The atmosphere is great in a traditional Korean dress ◎ If you go during an event (I went during Chuseok), you can wear a traditional Korean dress for free and even experience tea ceremony ✨ But that's not all at Namhansanseong Fortress! In fact, if you trek a little up the mountain, you'll find a spot with a spectacular view of the whole of Seoul! ! I came here during the day, but it must be really beautiful at night 🥹🫶🏽 #Korea #Seoul #Spectacular view #Overseas travel #Travel traditional dress #Zero yen travel autumn #100 travel styles #Seoul trip 2024

Skog Cafe features an impressive interior with red brick walls, a large speaker system that fills the space with sound, and a view of the natural forest through large windows that soothes both the mind and eyes. ❤️ 📍Green and nature-friendly forest view through large windows 🌳 📍Slow mail content 📮 📍The grandeur of a large speaker filling the space ⏰10:00-22:00 (Last order at 21:00) 🚘Dedicated parking available 🗺️507-18 Namhansanseong-ro, Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Skog

Best spots to soak in the autumn vibes in Seoul 🍁 NAMI ISLAND (pic 1-3) See my previous reel on this magical place 🍁 OLYMPIC PARK (pic 4-5) 🎫 Free admission ⏰ Open 24h 🚆Olympic Park Station (line 5, exit 3) or Mongchontoseong Station (line 8, exit 1) 🍁 NAMHANSANSEONG PARK & FORTRESS (pic 6-7) 🎫 Free admission to the park & fortress, with 2,000KRW for the palace entry fee ⏰ The fortress is open 24h but if you're planning to visit the palace, it's opening hour is 10am - 6pm (close on Monday) 🚆 Sanseong Station (line 8, exit 2) then change to bus #9, #9-11 or #52 🍁 GARDEN OF MORNING CALM (pic 8-9) 🎫 from 7,500 KRW - 11,000KRW ⏰ 8.30am - 7pm (Opening hours are extended during the light festival period) 🚆 Cheongpyeong Station on the Gyeongchun Line then take a taxi (around 20min ride for 18,000KRW) or take the intra-city bus 🌾 HANEUL PARK (pic 10) See my previous reel for more info #Seoulandbeyond

#falltrip Beautiful autumn leaves wet with rain in Hwadam Botanic Garden. Hwadam Botanic Garden is an eco-friendly arboretum located within Konjiam Resort in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, a 40 min drive away from Seoul. In an effort to revive the country's forest ecosystem, LG Evergreen Foundation brought in approximately 4,300 types of exquisite and domestic plants to form a forest park divided into 17 themes. "Hwadam" can be translated into "friendly communication," a name given to the forest in hopes that the area serves as a means for people to communicate with nature. While the forest is designed to offer an environmentally friendly atmosphere, the ecosystem and habitats of the forest are well-preserved, serving as a home to many living species.

#falltrip It's a series of fantastic coincidences that you'll find before the Hwadam Forest Autumn Flower Festival. In particular, I made a difficult reservation this year, and what if it rains on October 19th when it was raining that hastened autumn?? I visited you on time to make a reservation. I wanted to capture this red Hwadam forest and monorail In reality, I had to look around in an umbrella or raincoat because it was raining. Hwadam Forest Admission Monorail Reservations It is a maple attraction near Seoul Metropolitan.

#TravelMoon Before spring comes, you can feel spring Namhansanseong Botanical Garden Cafe Coco Valley💓 I found out that it seems to be famous as a pet-friendly cafe😄 Even though it was a cold day because there were plants in the greenhouse, it was full of freshness🌿🌱 📍Coco Valley 🏷️259 Namhansanseong-ro, Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🚘Parking available ⏰11:00~20:30 Weekends 21:00 Closed on Wednesdays

#PlacesToGoWithKids I visited #NamhansanseongDomeSangol, a great place to go with kids for some delicious #NamhansanseongChicken and #NamhansanseongFortress cuisine. Although I went there for health reasons, the atmosphere was so good that I was completely satisfied 😘. When I visited, it was not yet summer, but outdoor water play for kids is also available here. It is a great place to visit with family and enjoy some traditional chicken dishes. The soup is really... amazing 👍👍. Even our picky eater kids enjoyed it to the last drop 🤭. ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ 📍DomeSangol ➡️66-11, Buldang-gil 37beon-gil, Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 🚘Parking available ⏰Open daily from 11:00 to 20:30 Break time on weekends from 13:30 to 14:30 and 17:00 to 18:00 Closed on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month -During the summer, it operates in three sessions (2 hours and 30 minutes each) 📞031-743-3155 🐓Hanbang Baeksuk (KRW 65,000) ✅Reservations are recommended due to the long cooking time 😃😘. #GyeonggiGwangjuRestaurant #NamhansanseongChickenRestaurant #NamhansanseongChicken #NamhansanseongFortress #NamhansanseongFortressRestaurant #NamhansanseongChickenStew #NamhansanseongDuck #NamhansanseongDuckBaeksuk #DomeSangol #NamhansanseongDomeSangol

I visited Brunch Bean, a hot 😘 brunch cafe in my neighborhood in Gyeonggi-Gwangju🫶🏻 I heard it was delicious here and there, so I went there with high expectations, but it was as delicious as I expected, and the price was reasonable, so I was really surprised....?😳 It was hard to decide because there were so many menus, but it was even better because there was a set menu..❤️ I ordered set6 (platter + 2 cups of Americano + [pasta/pilaf/panini] 1 choice) with all extras, and can you see how much it was generously filled..?👀 The portions were generous, but the taste was not lacking, so it was even better! On top of that, the price was great.. There's no reason not to visit again✨✨ The planter interior made me feel comfortable and relaxed, so I felt like I was getting healthier while eating..😆 📍Brunch Bean Gyeonggi-Gwangju Branch 2nd floor, 43 Munhwa-ro, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🚗Parking available ⏰Every day, 9:00~21:00 (Break time 15:00-16:30) 🔖set6 All extra change + 2 cups of Americano + Vongole pasta (32.9) #Gyeonggi Gwangju Brunch #Gyeonggi Gwangju Brunch Cafe #Gyeonggi Gwangju Brunch Restaurant #Gyeonggi Gwangju Pasta #Gyeonggi Gwangju Cafe #Gyeonggi Gwangju Date Course #Gyeonggi Gwangju Pasta Restaurant #Brunch Bean Gyeonggi Gwangju Branch #Brunch Bean #Gyeonggi Gwangju #Gyeonggi Gwangju Mom #Gyeongandong Restaurant #Brunch Recommended Restaurant

Experience the beauty of Hwadam Botanic Garden at South Korea!! Perfect for nature lovers, Plantitos and Plantitas!!! The location is at Gyeonggi Province. You'll get to see different kinds of trees especially BONSAI (the expensive trees). There are different kinds of plants and they are very colorful. And of course! Don't forget about the PINK MUHLY GRASS which I personally like. It was super pretty! You can also get to experience a mini aqua world and animal world. You can also ride a monorail train to tour around the area. I advice you to go on Autumn or Spring weather. For me, I went there Autumn so I had fun a lot. There are also restaurants inside with delicious food! So what are you waiting for, come check this place out! Enjoy!#MyTripVlog #travel #Hwadamsup #Hwadambotanicgarden #southkorea

I visited Puddle House because I wanted to see a snowy landscape with a different atmosphere than when I came in the summer❤️ When I visited in the evening, the leisurely atmosphere was charming and nice🫶🏻 I spent time looking at the garden covered in snow, and my mind felt peaceful🤭 📍Puddle House 1337-74 Gyeongchung-daero, Chowol-eup, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🚗Parking available ⏰10:30~20:00 Closed every Monday ☕️Americano (6.5) Guava Ade (8.0) Pavlova (13.0) #Gyeonggi Gwangju #Gyeonggi Gwangju Cafe #Gyeonggi Gwangju Brunch Cafe #Brunch Cafe #Dessert #Dessert Cafe #Cafe Recommendation #Cafe Date #Garden Cafe

주소: 경기 광주시 초월읍 설월길23번길 11-15 설월23 분위기/시설: 대형카페 / 산과 함께 있는 카페 핵심 포인트: 편하게 앉을 수 있는 넓은 쇼파좌석과 소금빵이 매우 인상적이에요! 평점: 8점/10점 경기도 광주에 갈 때 갈만한 곳으로 추천하는 신상카페에요! 소금빵과 베이커리메뉴, 음료가 너무 맛있어서 재방문 의사 100로입니다. 현재 오픈한지 얼마 안되어 인테리어가 아쉬워서 8점이에요:) #카페추천 #카페여행 #카페투어 #경기도여행 #경기도드라이브 #경기도카페 #경기도가볼만한곳

Happy Christmas Day all.# South Korea ❤️❤️❤️

#koreatrip The cafe that we will introduce today is IPL located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do. It is a two-story single building. Both and two floors are in full windows. Wherever you sit, you can enjoy the bright sunlight and view. The signature menu includes passion mango sorbet, bbic shaved ice, plum grey, pistachio cream latte, and it is a space where various bakery menus such as salted bread and cheesecake are sold together. Clean yet modern interiors and overall calm yet quiet atmosphere. It's a great space for healing. The parking lot in front of the building is also well equipped, so it's a great place to go for a drive. Open Hours: Weekdays 10:00-20:30, Weekend 10:00-21:00 Address: Gyeonggi Gwangju-si Kyungchung-daero, South Korea

#koreatrip Black Earth located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi. As you can see in the cafe's name, it is a space with a chic yet sentimental black interior, both exterior and interior. The place is motivated by 'a relaxing and inspiring space to find light in the quiet darkness away from the city' and features a modern interior that gives a glamorous yet calm atmosphere at the same time. Selling our signature menu items like oatmeal einspenner, salted caramel cream, signature black, and a variety of aids and teas. Open until 9pm and also selling cocktails and highballs and simple desserts that are good to shake with so it's a great place to visit in the evening Address: Gyeonggi Gwangju-si Cheongseok-ro 248-6 Open Hours: Everyday 12:00-21:00

When the weather gets warmer, this place is perfect for enjoying an outdoor date!! It's well landscaped, making it a popular spot every year for leisurely walks and dates. The walking paths are well-maintained, and there are cafes and restaurants where you can take a break. You can also create great memories by riding the monorail. There are photo zones where you can take lots of beautiful pictures.

If you want to enjoy an outdoor date on a beautiful day, this popular spot is highly recommended! It's great for a date while walking through the green nature, and the different areas within the vast natural space offer unique experiences, making it fun to explore. There are also many picturesque spots for taking beautiful photos, which adds to its popularity! It's so popular that during peak seasons, it can be difficult to even purchase entrance tickets~👍👍 Highly recommended

As the weather gets warmer and the sky turns blue with green trees growing, many people will enjoy outdoor outings. With the weather getting better for outdoor dates, it's a great time for people to walk around outside. I recommend this place for enjoying a date in the midst of beautiful nature!! The atmosphere changes in different areas, and there are beautiful photo spots where you can take lovely pictures~💛 There are many things to see, making it a great place to relax and heal~

As the cold weather gradually fades away and the days get warmer, I recommend Hwadam Forest in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, just outside of Seoul, as a great place for a date and a walk on a nice day. 💛 This place is always popular every year, with well-constructed walking paths and great photo spots along the way, making it perfect for sightseeing and taking beautiful pictures! You'll understand why it's always so popular. 👍👍

#koreatrip Discover the beauty of Namhansanseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Seoul. Hike the scenic trails that lead to this ancient fortress, where you can explore historic gates, watchtowers, and temples, all offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The fortress played a key role in Korea’s defense, and its rich history adds a unique dimension to the hike. Combine nature, adventure, and culture in this unforgettable journey through Korea’s past and present!

Hwadam Forest is a great place to enjoy an outdoor picnic. You can experience the vast natural surroundings, and the walking trails are very well-maintained, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll. There are also restaurants where you can enjoy a light meal. ▫️Hwadam Forest 📍278-1, Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🕰️Check the website for the schedule 💸Adults: 11,000 KRW, Seniors/Teens: 9,000 KRW, Children: 7,000 KRW

Highly recommended Hwadam Forest located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, where you can fall in love with the beauty of nature!! The natural scenery viewed from the top of the walking trail is so beautiful that you will fall in love with it👍 A place with a reason for its popularity. ▫️Hwadam Forest 📍278-1, Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🕰️Check the website for schedule updates 💸Adults 11,000 KRW, Seniors/Teens 9,000 KRW, Children 7,000 KRW

Although it's good to visit anytime, I especially recommend visiting Hwadam Forest in the pleasant autumn weather! The weather is warm in the fall, and the foliage is particularly beautiful. Hwadam Forest is famous for its autumn leaves, and it becomes incredibly popular during this season, with tickets selling out quickly! ▫️Hwadam Forest 📍278-1, Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🕰️Check the website for the schedule 💸Adults: 11,000 KRW, Seniors/Teenagers: 9,000 KRW, Children: 7,000 KRW

If you want to enjoy a healing date, Hwadam Forest is a great place to enjoy the natural atmosphere and take lots of beautiful photos in the lush greenery!! The walking paths are very well maintained, making it a perfect place for a leisurely stroll and a date~ ▫️Hwadam Forest 📍278-1, Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🕰️Check the website for the schedule 💸Adults 11,000 KRW, Seniors/Teenagers 9,000 KRW, Children 7,000 KRW

Hwadam Forest is a hot travel destination that is extremely popular every year!! It's a place with a reason for its popularity, perfect for a nature walk and a great outing spot~👍 A place where you can be happy with family, lovers, or anyone~👍👍 ▫️Hwadam Forest 📍278-1, Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🕰️Check the website for schedule updates 💸Adults: 11,000 KRW, Seniors/Teens: 9,000 KRW, Children: 7,000 KRW

In the fall, the red leaves are beautiful, Hwadam Forest is always a hot topic and popular in the fall! It's a great place to heal while looking at the beautiful nature and beautiful leaves, and it's also great for taking pictures, so it's popular every year~ ▫️Hwadam Forest 📍278-1 Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🕰️Check the schedule on the website at all times 💸Adults 11,000 won, Seniors/Teenagers 9,000 won, Children 7,000 won #OutdoorDate #HwadamForestDate #HwadamForest #DateNearSeoul

As the title suggests, Hwadam Forest is a place that heals you when you visit! It's a great place to take a walk and enjoy the vast natural surroundings, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the freedom away from the city! There's a reason why it's so popular~🫶 ▫️Hwadam Forest 📍278-1, Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🕰️Check the website for schedule 💸Adults 11,000 KRW, Seniors/Teenagers 9,000 KRW, Children 7,000 KRW

This place is so famous that it can be said to be the most popular spot in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do!! Especially in autumn, it is famous for its fall foliage, making it difficult to get tickets. A great place to feel nature, relax, and enjoy the red autumn leaves. ▫️Hwadam Forest 📍278-1, Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🕰️Check the website for schedule updates 💸Adults 11,000 KRW, Seniors/Teens 9,000 KRW, Children 7,000 KRW

Hwadam Forest in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do is a very popular place to enjoy a nature walk date! It's a great place to visit for a date near Seoul, with beautiful nature to enjoy. There's a reason why it's so popular!! ▫️Hwadam Forest 📍278-1, Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 🕰️Check the website for schedule 💸Adults 11,000 KRW, Seniors/Teens 9,000 KRW, Children 7,000 KRW