Seokjeong Hot Springs Hue Spa
Okay, this is not Caribbean Bay, but if you live near Gwangju, or Jeonju or anywhere in between, this is the place to go for families with young kiddos! Don’t bother if you are adults looking for excitement, but for family time (or adults looking for some quiet time) with a bit of excitement… this is the place to go!! This was our second year coming here. We first came, while living in Gwangju, for our daughter’s birthday. She loved it so much that she asked to come again for her birthday this year. We now live in Seoul, so quite a trek, but we combined it with a visit…
Where to eat in Gwangju, 11 Family Faves
If you are visiting Gwangju and looking for traditional Korean food, this is not the list for you. We cook a lot of Korean food at home or when we get food delivered. So, when we go out, it’s usually because we’re craving something a bit different. Here, I’m listing some of our family favourites! Most are downtown or in Nam-gu, because that’s where we live. I’d love to hear recommendations in other areas. Let us know in the comments! In no particular order… First Alleyway The kiddos are young and adaptable enough that they rarely mention missing Australia. What they do miss is Grandma and Grandpa, babycinos, and fish…
Gwangju’s Mudeungsan Monorail
Living in and exploring Gwangju for two years, I only just discovered that Mudeungsan has a monorail. Oh yes! A chairlift and a monorail and an obesrvatory. All the stunning views without the sweaty hiking! Jisan Recreation Area used to be an amusement park back in the 70s. Faded waterslides snake eerily out of the overgrown forest and into a concrete car park. First, you take the chairlift. Purchase tickets from the convenience store at the entrance, hiding behind Mudesung Park Hotel. Tickets are 9,000won (Adult) / 7,000won (Child) for the lift and 7,000won (Adult) / 6,000won (Child) for the monorail. Children over two years are allowed on the chairlift.…
6 Things to do in Damyang with Kids
Stroll through Juknokwon Bamboo Forest Juknokwon must be Korea’s most famous Bamboo Forest, and certainly is what attracts most people to Damyang. The calming effects of the bamboo swishing and swaying in the breeze is certainly a highlight. I’ve been lucky enough to experience Damyang’s Bamboo Forest in all seasons. In fact, the very first time I visited Gwangju as a tourist in 2006, my friend and local guide (who I’ve sadly lost touch with – Won, if you’r reading this, send me a message!) brought me here on a snowy winter day. The tall bamboo makes for effective shelter from cold winds. In summer, its cool and shady. There…
The Penguin Village, quirky, artsy Gwangju.
This is an old area of Gwangju full of fascinating history. The story is that the Penguin Village gets its name from all the elderly people ‘waddling’ around the area like penguins. Apparently, some guy in the village started collecting old stuff and turned his front yard into a museum of sorts. Others joined in and it attracted local artists. When the area was later marked for redevelopment, the artists stepped in, created impressive street art, and eventually saved the area from destruction. There’s a little shop that sells snacks and candy from the 80’s and 90’s. According to my mother in law, it felt like a time warp! My…
Unjusa Temple, Hwasun
Hwasun is about 45mins from Gwangju. Surrounded by rocky, forest-covered mountains, it is home to a Buddhist temple that is considered a South Korea National Treasure. If you want to get outside the city and get a bit of culture and history to boot, try Unjusa Temple. Although the origins are unknown, it is thought to date back to at least 935AD. Unjusa is famous for having an unusually large number of stone Buddhas and Pagodas. The story goes that the Korean peninsular had fewer mountains in the southwestern region. To prevent the country from capsizing, a monk brought stonemasons down from heaven to build a thousand stone statues to…
The ACC Children’s Gallery
Got young kids in Gwangju? Get yourselves to the ACC and find the Children’s Gallery! Gwangju’s ACC (Asia Culture Centre) is a cultural hub with galleries, exhibitions, concerts, theatres, workshops, libraries and reading rooms. It’s the Children’s Gallery that keeps us coming back though. The Children’s Gallery has a free Play Library with a beautiful collection of books (including a small but well-chosen English section) and comfy reading areas. Let the kids sprawl with a pile of books. Enjoy the quiet and watch them learn. If they’re ready to let some energy out, look for ‘Play Kids’. It’s free, but requires a ticket. You have to book a time slot…
