
History, art, culture, and food in Yangnimdong, Gwangju
Yangnimdong is my hands-down-absolute-favorite area of Gwangju! It has a bit of everything. History, culture, art, nature, food! It’s busy enough to have a lively vibe but quiet enough to be calm and peaceful. It has cool, hipstery cafes alongside beautiful historical homes. And it’s pedestrian-friendly!
History
Yangnimdong has a fascinating history. It was where Gwangju’s part in the March 1st Independence Movement began. It was also where Christian missionaries from America first settled and there are many old homes, churches, and a cemetery from this time.

Art
Yangnimdong is full of small galleries and street art. The Penguin Village area is pretty much all a work of art.




Cafe Culture
Cafe culture is in full swing in Yangnimdong. We love Puul when friends with kids visit because you can have your own private room with floor seating and big windows.
Quokka Cafe has amazingly good macaroons. Did you know that the Quokka is a marsupial native to Australia and found only on a small Island near Perth? I have no idea why there is a cafe with this name in Gwangju, South Korea. I would like to know. This also happens to be our girl’s favorite place. She loves macarons!
Penguin Village
What a weird and wonderful place the Penguin Village is! It has recently been renovated and lost a bit of its charm but it’s still worth a visit. It’s full of collections of old stuff. A huge collection of art and history!
Food
There are so many great restaurants in Yangnimdong. Some of our favourites are Casual Shiktang, Mario’s, and Gentle Curry. So good!
Nature
Explore Yangnim Mountain (more like a hill) or Sajik Park for some peaceful calmness. The whole area is peppered with relics from early missionaries. Old missionary houses, architecturally standing out from the nearby traditional Korean homes and new highrise apartments, and a historical graveyard at the top of the hill.




While you’re there try,
Vietnamese in Namgwangju Market
Casual Shiktang




2 Comments
Deborah Tedge
Maybe you should ask the owner of Quokka Cafe if they have ever travelled to Rottnest Island.
ibisjane
Good idea, I’ll ask them next time.