Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City

A southwestern South Korean region formed by merging Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, combining a city of democratic history, bamboo groves, island-dotted seas and port-city cuisine.

Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City is an administrative region in southwestern South Korea formed by merging Gwangju Metropolitan City and South Jeolla Province. It covers the plains, hills and winding coastline at the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula, with numerous islands offshore. Gwangju is known for its art and the history of the May 18 Democratic Uprising; in nearby Damyang you'll find Juknokwon bamboo garden and the Metasequoia Road. Yeosu is famous for its night-view harbor and Odongdo Island, the Suncheon Bay wetlands and Suncheon Bay National Garden are ecological highlights, and Mokpo is the gateway to the southwestern islands. Spring and autumn have pleasant weather, and summer is good for island trips. For transport, take the KTX to Gwangju Songjeong, Mokpo or Yeosu Expo stations; airports are located at Gwangju, Muan and Yeosu.

Destinations

• Gwangju & Damyang
• Mokpo
• Yeosu & Suncheon
• Namwon & Jirisan

Itineraries

• Southern Coast Road Trip: Busan to Mokpo – Drive west along the Dadohae (Archipelago) coast, from Geoje and Tongyeong to Namhae, Yeosu, Suncheon, and Mokpo.
• Ancient Baekje, Jeonju, Gwangju & Mount Jirisan – A journey through Chungcheong and Jeolla provinces, featuring Baekje ruins in Gongju and Buyeo, Jeonju Hanok Village, D…