Gwangsan-gu is one of 27 cities, counties and districts in Gwangju · Jeollanam-do. It has 21 neighborhoods (21 dong) and 382,461 registered residents (September 2026). The most populous neighborhood is Suwan-dong with 71,920.
21neighborhoods
382,461residents
Landmark stamp: 1913 Songjeong Station Market
Located near the train station, this revitalized traditional market combines retro heritage streetscapes with trendy street food stalls and cozy bakeries.
History
This century-old traditional marketplace was revitalized by blending long-standing local merchants with creative shops run by energetic young entrepreneurs.
Food nearby
Compact storefronts lining the central walkway serve tempting street snacks such as craft beer, skewers, and seasoned egg rice.
Visitor tip
Located within walking distance from Gwangju Songjeong Station, it serves as a convenient stopover while waiting for high-speed trains.
Food, festivals and stories of Gwangsan-gu
Local food
The alley in front of Gwangju Songjeong Station is renowned for savory, tender grilled minced beef patties.
Did you know?
The 1913 Songjeong Station Market features charming retro alleys filled with delightful street foods and young merchants.
Local story
Wolbong Seowon is a historic Confucian academy established to honor the revered Joseon scholar Ki Dae-seung.
Neighborhoods of Gwangsan-gu (21)
Every neighborhood has its own stamp in Random Passport. Tap “Land here” to fly straight to one.
Songjeong 1-dong송정1동dong · 9,577 residents
Photo spot: Climbing through the green wooded trails of Songjeong Park rewards visitors with peaceful tree-lined paths and a traditional rest pavilion.
Food: The alleys near the district office are lined with long-standing restaurants serving grilled minced beef ribs seasoned with savory marinade.
Name: The name comes from ancient pine trees surrounding a hillside pavilion where scholars gathered to admire scenic nature.
Photo spot: You can capture warm evening street photography inside the retro alleys of 1913 Songjeong Station Market where history meets modern charm.
Food: Traditional market stalls outside the railway station offer delectable local treats like crispy seaweed chips and fruit-flavored sweet bean jelly.
Fun fact: Hosting the primary high-speed rail terminal of the province, this district functions as an energetic transportation gateway to various regional cities.
Name: The name was created by uniting the character for road from Dodong village with the character for mountain from Wonsan village.
Photo spot: Visitors can capture refreshing open riverfront landscapes while cycling along the well-paved trails tracing the flowing waters of Hwangryonggang River.
Fun fact: Housing Gwangju Airport, this neighborhood offers striking street-level views of passenger aircraft taking off and landing along expansive runways.
Name: The community chose the name Sinheung to convey joint wishes for rising prosperity and enduring community growth across neighboring villages.
Story: Folklore tells of a mystical carp dwelling in mountain spring waters that transformed into a dragon and ascended to the sky.
Name: The neighborhood took its title directly from Eoryongsan Mountain, where traditional legends celebrate a legendary fish turning into a dragon.
Photo spot: Climbing the scenic hillside paths of Honam University campus provides sweeping views of urban neighborhoods against the backdrop of Eodeungsan Mountain.
Story: Legend tells that the surrounding hills resemble a resting ox, blessing the neighborhood with peaceful harmony and abundant community fortune.
Photo spot: The spacious green lawns of Gwangju Women's University burst into lovely spring cherry blossoms, offering delightful outdoor spots for portrait photographs.
Fun fact: Ethnic Korean compatriots returning from Central Asian nations have settled here, fostering a vibrant multicultural community with distinct culinary and artistic traditions.
Food: Bistros across the neighborhood bake fragrant Central Asian flatbread called lepyoshka and grill hearty seasoned lamb skewers over glowing charcoal.
Photo spot: Walking near General Hong Beom-do Park decorated with foreign Cyrillic store signs provides unusual and colorful street photography perspectives.
Name: The name Bia combines characters for flying and crow, reflecting traditional geomantic beliefs that the landscape resembles a crow taking flight.
Food: During the traditional five-day market held on specific dates, shoppers can enjoy local rice wine paired with warm bowls of pork soup.
Photo spot: Lakeside trails in Ssangam Park offer picture-perfect scenes featuring vivid spring azaleas and colorful evening fountains dancing across the water.
Fun fact: Clustering major national research institutes and science academies, this neighborhood acts as an influential hub fostering forward-looking technologies and education.
Photo spot: Waterfront paths along Cheomdan Neighborhood Park by the Yeongsangang River are ideal spots for photographing dramatic sunset reflections gleaming across calm river currents.
Fun fact: Featuring carefully organized residential complexes and ample modern public amenities, this district boasts a remarkably clean, convenient, and comfortable urban living environment.
Name: The name Singa was created by combining opening syllables from Sinheung, denoting emerging vitality, and Gajwa, denoting a pleasant livable valley.
Photo spot: Cozy forested trails winding through Singa Neighborhood Park form lovely leafy canopies where travelers can enjoy serene nature walks and outdoor photography.
Name: The name Unnam originated from ancient villages established south of Mount Unhwasan, a peak historically celebrated for misty gathering clouds.
Photo spot: The open riverside pavilion where the Yeongsangang River meets Gwangjucheon Stream provides panoramic perspectives capturing the expansive meeting of two flowing currents.
Name: The name Suwan originated from expansive floodplains abundant in clean water where wetland sedge reeds grew luxuriously across riverbanks.
Photo spot: Suwan Lake Park, nestled in the town center, offers wooden bridges and calm waters reflecting glowing evening skies perfect for evening photographs.
Story: An enormous boulder called Wonbawi stands by the historic village entrance, where generations of villagers offered sincere prayers for harmony and health.
Fun fact: Hosting extensive industrial manufacturing complexes, this vibrant area operates as a prominent southern production hub for modern electronic home appliances.
Photo spot: The metasequoia tree avenue in Gyeongam Neighborhood Park offers visitors a peaceful green corridor perfect for taking serene forest path photographs.
Story: Wolbong Seowon preserves memories of Joseon scholar Ki Dae-seung, who taught students and exchanged famous philosophical letters with master Toegye Yi Hwang.
Photo spot: The courtyard of Bingwoldang inside Wolbong Seowon bursts with crimson crape myrtle flowers during summer, creating charming traditional Korean architectural photographs.
Name: The name Imgok combines Chinese characters for forest and valley, describing settlements quietly nestled inside heavily forested mountain glens.
Food: A dedicated food street serves appetizing crab feast tables brimming with savory soy-marinated crab, spicy chili crab, and plentiful side dishes.
Photo spot: When evening twilight falls over the silver reeds along the Hwangryonggang River embankment, the riverbanks provide breathtaking natural photo opportunities.
Food: A famous rural diner in Myeonghwa-dong draws gourmets with hearty, spicy stew brimming with thick cuts of pork and fresh summer squash.
Photo spot: The observation boardwalk at Jangnok Wetland along Hwangryonggang River lets visitors photograph water birds foraging peacefully among swaying riverside reeds.
Name: The name Pyeong-dong originated from the flat, fertile river plains stretching alongside the Hwangryonggang River that nourished generations of agricultural hamlets.
Name: The name Samdo reflects the area's geographic position at a three-way crossroad historically linking the territories of Gwangsan, Naju, and Hampyeong.
Fun fact: Basking under gentle sunlight, broad farmland in this quiet rural district yields naturally sweet watermelons and eco-friendly rice.
Story: Excavations at the ancient wetland site revealed a two-thousand-year-old stringed musical instrument and delicate silk fragments showcasing vibrant prehistoric everyday culture.
Photo spot: Reconstructed prehistoric pit houses in the open park of Sinchang-dong Relics offer fascinating archaeological backdrops for unique travel photography.
Fun fact: The neighborhood preserves extensive archaeological grounds yielding prehistoric agricultural tools, lacquered artifacts, and ancient cart wheels from centuries past.
Local notes were drafted with the help of AI from public information. Population: Ministry of the Interior and Safety resident registration, September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.