Conference Venue
Gwangju National University of Education
Punghyang Munhwa-gwan
Pilmun-daero 55, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61204 (Google Map)
VENUE DETAILS
Transportation Information: Getting to Gwangju
Nearest International Airports: Incheon International Airport in Incheon (ICN); Gimhae International Airport (PUS) in Busan; Gimpo International Airport (GMP) in Seoul
* From ICN:
- Option 1: Direct bus from ICN to Gwangju "U-Square" Bus Terminal; takes about 4 hours
- Option 2: Bus from ICN to Gwangmyeong Station (~55 mins) --> KTX train to Gwangju Songjeong Station (1.5 hours; make sure tickets are available)
- Option 3: AREX (airport railroad express train) to Seoul Station (~45 mins) --> KTX train from Seoul Station to Gwangju Songjeong Station (~2 hours; make sure tickets are available)
- Option 3a: AREX to Seoul Station --> subway from Seoul Station to Yongsan Station --> KTX train from Yongsan Station to Gwangju Songjeong Station (~2 hours; make sure tickets are available)
* From PUS: Subway from Gimhae International Airport to Busan Sasang Station (~7 minutes) --> short walk to Busan Seobu Bus Terminal --> bus to Gwangju "U Square" Bus Terminal (~3 hours)
* From GMP: Flights are possible to Gwangju Airport (KWJ; ~55 mins)
Bus tickets
* Bus tickets from ICN to Gwangju (U-Square) can only be purchased at the airport, not in advance, at one of the ticket kiosks or ticket center in the arrivals hall. For everything else, tickets go on sale ~30 days in advance of the travel date. We recommend purchasing your tickets as soon as you can!
Buying a bus ticket at the airport kiosk is easy! Change the language to English --> Select "Gwangju / Jeonnam" --> Select "Gwangju" --> Choose an available bus --> Choose your seat(s) --> Insert your credit card --> Take your paper ticket --> Go to the platform (usually 12B in ICN Terminal 1)
AREX (Airport Railroad Express) tickets
Gwangju Travel Guide at WikiVoyage
Gwangju Tourism Organization (GJTO) Brochures / GJTO Self-guided tour brochure: "Star Light Tour: From K-pop to Media Art"
Pre-conference "Highlights of Jeonnam" tour [FULL]
Korea Information
K-ETA
The citizens of most countries are required to apply for a K-ETA prior to entering Korea. There's a temporary exemption for 22 countries, though. If you are required to apply for the K-ETA, make sure you're using the real government site; if the fee is more than 10,000 KRW (~7.50 USD), it's a scam site.
Electricity & Outlets
Korea uses type C and type F outlets. The standard voltage is 220 V at a frequency of 60 Hz.
For your convenience, a handful of universal plug adapters and USB adapters for Korean outlets will be available for purchase at the conference (cash or PayPal only).
Money
Most places accept credit cards (MasterCard & Visa); if you want to negotiate in open-air markets or with streetside vendors, though, cash (KRW, preferably smaller bills such as 10,000 / 5,000 / 1,000) is recommended. International ATMs can be found throughout the country. Another option is the new WOW Pass, which apparently can also be used as a transportation card. (Note: I haven't seen any Wow Pass machines in Gwangju, but the card is being heavily promoted at Incheon Airport, so top-ups there are probably easiest.)
Transportation
Transportation cards can be purchased in most convenience stores; they can be used on public transit throughout the country (but make sure you indicate you want that kind of card). You'll pay a small fee for the card (~4,000 KRW), and then you can load up the card with additional money. For reference, buses in Gwangju are just 1,250 KRW with the card (and 1,400 KRW if you pay cash) regardless of distance traveled; if you're planning a transfer, remember to zap the transit card as you disembark from your first bus/subway.
Online Access
Most public venues (cafes, restaurants, etc.) will have free WiFi; however, you may wish to supplement this with data provided by a SIM card or eSIM card.
For handy reference, here are the SIM card prices we found at Incheon International Airport (on 8/31/2024):
Conference chair Lindsay says she's been very happy with Airalo for eSIMs when she travels; if you have a phone compatible with eSIMs, it's worth investigating. (You can use Lindsay's referral code, LINDSA1410, to get a $3 credit.)
Welcome to Gwangju!
Gwangju Metropolitan City (광주광역시), located in South Jeolla province (Jeollanam-do), is Korea's sixth-largest city. There are many direct buses to Gwangju from Incheon International Airport (ICN); the bus ride is about 4 hours long and costs 40,000-60,000 KRW depending on class of service (but be warned that the return trip from Gwangju to ICN tends to sell out and takes 4.5-5 hours, so plan accordingly!). Gimhae International Airport (PUS) in Busan is also accessible, just a ~4-hour trip away.
Gwangju is famous for its food, its hiking trails, and its role in the Korean democratization movement. In May 1980, the Korean dictator, Chun Doo-Hwan, fresh from a military coup d'etat, sent the Korean army to brutally crack down on pro-democracy protesters in Gwangju. Sobering memorials of the May 18th Democratic Uprising and the resultant massacre can be found around the city today, from the 5.18 Memorial Park to the Jeonill Building, still riddled with bullet holes from a helicopter's strafing attack. Today, Gwangju is a human rights city and hosts the annual World Human Rights Cities Forum, which will be held on October 10 & 11 this year.
The Downtown Area
Gwangju is also a cultural—and multicultural!—city, with an impressive number of galleries, museums, and performance venues (learn more here). A nice 35-minute walk (or ~10-minute, ~6,000-won taxi ride) from the conference venue is Gwangju Art Street (예슬의 거리), perfect for browsing art galleries, out-of-the-way museums, and a few souvenir and stationery shops (don't miss Modern!) before relaxing with a latte next to some of the public art that lines the cobblestone street. Nearby is the Jeonil Building, which offers a spectacular view of the city from its roof, a coffee shop with reasonable prices and amazing views, a three-floor museum dedicated to the May 18 Democratic Uprising, and more. Across from the Jeonil Building is the 5.18 Democracy Square, where many of the demonstrations took place in 1980; abutting that is the Asia Cultural Center (ACC), which boasts an outdoor play space, indoor museums and exhibits, and a vast variety of performances. Immediately across the street is Gwangju's downtown area, which has many wonderful restaurants and cafes, an underground shopping center with bargains aplenty, and a plethora of trendy stores. Intrepid wanderers might decide to walk over to the Gwangju River and meander along its shores; peruse the stalls at the Daein Market (대인 시장); or even walk a bit further (or hop on a bus) to visit the Yangdong Traditional Market (양동 시장). Across the river, visitors can find the traditional market of Namgwangju, the Penguin Village, and the historical neighborhood of Yangrimdong, which boasts hanok-style tea houses and restaurants, art galleries, and easy access to the viewpoint at Sajik Park Observatory. Just north of the downtown and a bit south of the conference venue, meanwhile, is Dongmyeong-dong, a neighborhood famous for hidden-gem restaurants and cafes.
Also Near the Conference Venue
Also within a ~30-minute walk of the conference venue are the Malbau Traditional Market (말바우 시장), two different Home Plus stores (great for reasonably priced groceries, home goods, toiletries, and more), several Daiso stores (similar to a "dollar store" or a 100-yen shop), and the Chonnam University back gate area (a good alternative to the downtown for restaurants, cafes, and shops).
Further Afield: Don't Miss...
The 15th Gwangju Biennale will be held September 7-December 1. If you enjoy art and art installations, it's definitely worth a visit while you're in town! The Biennale venue is about 40 minutes by bus or 20 minutes by taxi (~8,000 KRW) from Gwangju National University of Education. Near the Biennale, you'll also find an amazing green space for exploring, the Gwangju Museum of Art, the Gwangju History & Folk Museum, and the Gwangju Arts Center (광주예술의전당).
Mudeungsan (Mudeung Mountain) (무등산) and Mudeungsan National Park are perfect for an afternoon of outdoor exploring and hiking, and several temples in the foothills of the mountain, including Yaksasa, Jeungsimsa, and Wonhyosa Temples, offer peaceful respite from the city. The nearby towns of Damyang, Naju, and Hwasun have their own specialty foods and attractions, as well.
Learn more about Gwangju and its many cultural and sightseeing opportunities here.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Self-guided tour (brochure): Star Light Tour: From K-Pop to Media Art | 6.01 MB |
| Easy-reference document to show taxi drivers | 179.49 KB |
