Gwangju Art Street

Gwangju Art Street is a 300m long street where people can experience and feel authentic Gwangju, aimed at developing Gwangju’s tradition, exhibit its art works, promote and market them.  The street is located behind the Jungang Elementary School which is in from of the Gwangju Dongbu Police Station.  You can see authentic Korean fine arts such as paintings, ceramics, writings, and industrial arts just to name a few.  
Every Saturday, a flea market is held here.  It is nationally famous for its unique pieces of art.  Collectors from all over the nation gather to display their collections, such as old calligraphy materials, old coins, stone hairbrushes, china ware, wooden sculptures, folk drawings, old books, ink, incense burners – items that were actually used by people in the past.  Part of the attraction is the stories the collectors tell of their collections as well.  One of a kind hand made artwork and sometimes the artists themselves can be seen here.  Enjoy the many shows and exhibitions that act as the main attraction on this road.  Mudeung arts exhibit operates according to districts, and it functions as a cultural festival event as well.  The outdoor exhibition was built in 1995, February, and it is open day and night.  You can see quality artworks such as paintings, sculptures and other works here.  The large exhibition space has 32 booths, and there are always planned exhibits, special exhibits going on, and you can frequently see many valuable cultural treasures of the region on display here, to the applause of the visitors.  
Every Saturday, the Street of Fine Arts is blocked off from traffic, and people gather to celebrate art and culture here. 

May 18 National Cemetery

The May 18 Memorial, located in front of Mt. Mudeungsan, is the symbol of freedom and democracy and is the grave of victims during the contention for democracy in May 1980. Victims were carried and buried by handcarts and garbage trucks in 1980. In 1997 the cemetery was exhumed and reburied at this memorial. May 18th became a national holiday of commemorating our desire for democracy.
To enter The May 18 Memorial, pass the Democracy Gate, built in a traditional Korean style. Passing the widely spread Plaza of Democracy, you will reach the Commemoration Passage. Keep walking and you will reach a round figure (4m high) of an enclosing hand.  This is the Memorial Tower, which symbolizes the resurrection of new life. Under the tower there is a worship platform with burning incense to show respect. Through the Memorial Tower you will find carvings on both sides.  On the right there is an enshrinement where pictures and monetary tablets are placed, and across from it stands the Door of History showing the images in those days. You can understand Korean history by viewing these works.
After viewing this part of Korean history, it will be pleasant to take a walk and enjoy the surroundings of The May 18 Memorial.

Gwangju National Museum

Gwangju National Museum collects and preserves the cultural relics from Jeollanam-do. The exhibits are divided in 7 areas according to the time periods and type.  The Prehistoric Hall displays the stone tools from the Paleolithic Age, Neolithic Age, Bronze Age, and other relics from the early Iron Age.  Samguk Hall displays many earthenware and ironware from the Large Onggwan in the Jeolla-do area.  The Buddhist Art Hall exhibits cultural Items related to Buddhism, the Painting Hall exhibits work of artists of the Honam district from the Joseon and modern periods.  Jeolla-do is the birthplace of Korean Pottery.  If you want to see the transition process from the Cheongja of Goryeo Period to Joseon Period's Buncheongsagi and Baekja, head over to the Goryeo Pottery Exhibit Hall.  You can see the whole process of pottery manufacturing at one time.  You can also see pottery at the Joseon Buncheongsagi ㆍBaekja Hall.  Shinan Ocean Floor Relic Hall is an unusual exhibit hall.  The items on display are from a trading ship, which had been submerged for 600 years in the Shinan Sea.  They were excavated during 11 operations from 1976 to 1984.  From this ship about 20,681 works of pottery, metal items, stone items, wood items and glass items were discovered.  If you are interested in seeing items that had not been seen for several centuries, this museum is the place for you.  Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month, so be sure to take advantage of this if you visit during the beginning of the month.  Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays.