View source for Gwangju

{{Short description|City in South Korea}}
{{About|Gwangju Metropolitan City|the smaller city of the same name in Hangul, near Seoul|Gwangju, Gyeonggi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Gwangju
| official_name      = Gwangju Metropolitan City<br />{{lower|0.1em|{{nobold|{{lang|ko|광주광역시}}}}}}
| native_name        = {{lang|ko|광주}}
| settlement_type    = [[Special cities of South Korea|Metropolitan City]]
| coordinates        = {{Coord|35|09|55|N|126|50|55|E|region:KR-29_type:city(1,400,000)|display=title,inline}}
| image_skyline      = Gwangju montage.png
| image_size         = 280px
| image_caption      = ''' Above:''' Badhoe Pojangmacha Street Restaurant, Geumnamo Shopping district '''Middle:''' Panorama view of resident area of Gwangsan District '''Bottom:''' Gwangju Folk Museum, Democracy Bell in Denman Estate Park (All items are left to right)
| image_flag         = Flag of Gwangju.svg
| image_blank_emblem = Emblem of Gwangju.svg
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| image_map          = Gwangju in South Korea 2023.svg
| image_map1         = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2 | stroke-color=#000000|zoom=9}}
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = #South Korea#Asia#Earth
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{ROK}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Korea|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Honam]]
| parts_type         = Districts
| parts              = 5
<!-- Counties = 1 -->| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor of Gwangju|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Kang Gi-jung]] {{small|([[Democratic Party (South Korea, 2015)|Democratic]])}}
| leader_title1      = Body
| leader_name1       = [[Gwangju Metropolitan Council]]
| area_total_km2     = 501.24
| population_total   = 1,398,538
| population_as_of   = july 2025<ref>{{cite web |url=https://jumin.mois.go.kr/|title=Population statistics |date=2025|website=Korea Ministry of the Interior and Safety}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_blank1_title = Dialect
| population_blank1  = [[Jeolla dialect|Jeolla]]
| iso_code           = KR-29
| demographics_type2 = GDP {{Nobold|(Nominal, 2023)}}
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="index.go.kr">{{cite web|url= https://kostat.go.kr/boardDownload.es?bid=243&list_no=434448&seq=1|title= 2023년 지역소득(잠정)|website=www.kostat.go.kr}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = [[South Korean won|KRW]] 52 trillion<br />([[United States dollar|US$]] 42 billion)
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = US$ 30,900<ref name="percapita">{{cite web|title=Regional GDP, Gross regional income and Individual income|url=https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?sso=ok&returnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fkosis.kr%3A443%2FstatHtml%2FstatHtml.do%3Fconn_path%3DI2%26tblId%3DDT_1C86%26language%3Den%26orgId%3D101%26|website=nosis.kr}}</ref>
<!-- AreaRank = 7th doesn't seem to fit into settlement template -->| website            = {{URL|1=https://www.gwangju.go.kr/eng/|2=Official website (English)}}
| translit_lang1     = Korean
| translit_lang1_type1 = [[Hangul]]
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{lang|ko|광주광역시}}
| translit_lang1_type2 = [[Hanja]]
| translit_lang1_info2 = {{lang|ko|光州廣域市}}
| translit_lang1_type3 = {{nowrap|[[Revised Romanization]]}}
| translit_lang1_info3 = {{nowrap|Gwangju-gwangyeoksi}}
| translit_lang1_type4 = {{nowrap|[[McCune–Reischauer]]}}
| translit_lang1_info4 = {{nowrap|Kwangju-gwangyŏksi}}
| blank_name         = Flower
| blank_info         = [[Rhododendron schlippenbachii|Royal Azalea]]
| blank1_name        = Tree
| blank1_info        = [[Ginkgo biloba|Ginkgo]]
| blank2_name        = Bird
| blank2_info        = [[Dove]]
| area_code          = +82-61
<!-- time zone(s) -------------->| timezone1          = [[Korea Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1        = +9
| timezone1_DST      = 
| utc_offset1_DST    = 
}}

'''Gwangju''' ({{Korean|hangul=광주}}; {{IPA|ko|kwaŋ.dʑu|lang|Ko-광주.oga}}), formerly romanized as '''Kwangju''', is South Korea's [[list of cities in South Korea|sixth-largest metropolis]]. It is a designated [[Special cities of South Korea|metropolitan city]] under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister. The city was also the capital of [[South Jeolla Province]] until the provincial office moved to the southern village of [[Namak, South Korea|Namak]] in [[Muan County]] in 2005 because Gwangju was promoted to a [[Special cities of South Korea|metropolitan city]] and was independent of South Jeolla Province.

Its name is composed of the words ''gwang'' ({{Korean|hangul=광|hanja={{linktext|光}}}}) meaning "light" and ''ju'' ({{Korean|hangul=주|hanja={{linktext|州}}|labels=no}}) meaning "province". Gwangju was historically recorded as ''Muju'' ({{Korean |labels=no |hangul=무주 |hanja=武州}}), in which "[[Silla]] merged all of the land to establish the provinces of Gwangju, Ungju, Jeonju, Muju and various counties, plus the southern boundary of [[Goguryeo]] and the ancient territories of Silla" in the ''[[Samguk sagi]].''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gwangju.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=gwangju0505020000|title=Origin and History of Gwangju|website=www.gwangju.go.kr|language=ko|access-date=2018-04-18|archive-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418161614/https://www.gwangju.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=gwangju0505020000|url-status=live}}</ref> In the heart of the agricultural [[Jeolla]] region, the city is also famous for its rich and diverse [[Korean regional cuisine#Jeolla province|cuisine]].

== History ==
[[File:May 18th Memorial Monument.jpg|thumb|200px|A memorial to commemorate the lives lost in the 1980 [[Gwangju uprising]].]]
The city was established in 57 BC. It was one of the [[administrative center]]s of [[Baekje]] during the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea|Three Kingdoms period]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://eng.gwangju.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=gjeng0102020000|title=The History of Gwangju|access-date=25 April 2016|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630175615/http://eng.gwangju.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=gjeng0102020000|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[Korea under Japanese rule|Imperial Japanese rule]], the city was known as Kōshū. In 1929, a confrontation between Korean and Japanese students in the city turned into the Gwangju Student Independence Movement, a regional demonstration that culminated in one of the major nationwide uprisings against Imperial Japanese cruelty during the colonial period.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

Modern industry was established in Gwangju, and a railway to [[Seoul]] was constructed. Some industries that took hold include cotton textiles, rice mills, and [[breweries]]. The construction of a designated industrial zone in 1967 encouraged growth in industry, especially in the sectors linked to the automobile industry.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

In May 1980, peaceful demonstrations took place in Gwangju against [[Chun Doo-hwan]], leader of the military [[Coup d'état of December Twelfth|coup d'état of 12 December 1979]]. The demonstrations were suppressed by military forces, including elite units of the [[Special Operations Command Korea|Special Operations Command]]. The situation escalated after a violent crackdown, resulting in the [[Gwangju Uprising]], where civilians raided armories and armed themselves. By the time the uprising was suppressed 9 days later, many hundreds of civilians and several police forces/soldiers were dead. After civilian rule was reinstated in 1987, a national cemetery was established to honor the victims of the incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.gwangju.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=gjeng0102030000|title=May 18th Democratic Uprising|access-date=25 April 2016|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630165741/http://eng.gwangju.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=gjeng0102030000|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1986, Gwangju separated from [[South Jeolla Province]] to become a Directly Governed City (Jikhalsi), and then became a Metropolitan City (Gwangyeoksi) in 1995.<ref name="auto"/>

Due to a variety of factors, including the ancient rivalry between [[Baekje]] and [[Silla]], as well as the biased priority given to the [[Gyeongsang Province]] region by political leaders in the 2nd half of the 20th century, Gwangju has a long history of voting for left-leaning politicians{{cn|date=December 2024}} and is the main stronghold for the liberal [[Democratic Party (South Korea, 2015)|Democratic Party of Korea]] along with its predecessors, as well as the progressive [[Justice Party (South Korea)|Justice Party]]. {{cn|date=December 2024}}

Gwangju has held many sports events such as [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], [[2015 Summer Universiade]], [[2019 World Aquatics Championships]].

== Administrative divisions ==
{{Main|List of districts of Gwangju}}
Gwangju is divided into 5 districts ("Gu").

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Map
! Name
! [[Korean language|Korean]]
! [[Hanja]]
|-
| rowspan=7 | <div style="position: relative; font-size:100%">
[[File:Gwangju.png|250px]]
<!-- This section is causing a memory leak of some sort
{{Image label|x=150|y=40|text=[[Buk District, Gwangju|Buk]]}}
{{Image label|x=190|y=100|text=[[Dong District, Gwangju|Dong]]}}
{{Image label|x=50|y=80|text=[[Gwangsan District|Gwangsan]]}}
{{Image label|x=130|y=110|text=[[Nam District, Gwangju|Nam]]}}
{{Image label|x=120|y=90|text=[[Seo District, Gwangju|Seo]]}} -->
</div>
|- ---------
! colspan="5" style="background-color:#F0F0F0" | Districts
|- ---------
|-
| [[Buk District, Gwangju|Buk District]]||{{lang|ko|북구}}||{{lang|ko|北區}}
|-
| [[Dong District, Gwangju|Dong District]]||{{lang|ko|동구}}||{{lang|ko|東區}}
|-
| [[Gwangsan District]]||{{lang|ko|광산구}}||{{lang|ko|光山區}}
|-
| [[Nam District, Gwangju|Nam District]]||{{lang|ko|남구}}||{{lang|ko|南區}}
|-
| [[Seo District, Gwangju|Seo District]]||{{lang|ko|서구}}||{{lang|ko|西區}}
|} {{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Gwangju (2024)<ref name="2005religionmap">{{cite web |title=2024 종교인식조사 종교인구 현황과 종교 활동 |date=11 December 2024 |trans-title=Status of religious population and religious activities in South Korea (2024) |url=https://hrcopinion.co.kr/archives/31599 |language=ko}}</ref>
|label1 = Not religious
|value1 = 50
|color1 = Grey
|label2 = [[Buddhism]]
|value2 = 11
|color2 = Gold
|label3 = [[Protestantism]]
|value3 = 25
|color3 = DodgerBlue
|label4 = [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]]
|value4 = 11
|color4 = DarkOrchid
|label5 = Others 
|value5 = 3
|color5 = Black

}}

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations|1970|493634|1980|727600|1990|1139003|2000|1352797|2010|1475745|2020|1477573|align=right | source=<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://population.un.org/wup/ |title=World Urbanization Prospects |access-date=20 February 2020 |archive-date=19 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119092357/https://population.un.org/wup/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Population Census|url=https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1IN0001_ENG&vw_cd=MT_ETITLE&list_id=A111&scrId=&language=en&seqNo=&lang_mode=en&obj_var_id=&itm_id=&conn_path=MT_ETITLE&path=%252Feng%252FstatisticsList%252FstatisticsListIndex.do|publisher=[[Statistics Korea]]}}</ref>}}According to the census of 2015, 9.5% of the population followed [[Buddhism]] and 28.7% followed [[Christianity]] (20% [[Protestantism]] and 8.7% [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]]). 61% of the population is irreligious.<ref name="2015census">{{cite web|url= https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1PM1502&conn_path=I2|title= 2015 Census – Religion Results|publisher= KOSIS KOrean Statistical Information Service|language= ko|access-date= 6 Apr 2021|archive-date= 26 February 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210226150454/https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1PM1502&conn_path=I2|url-status= live}}</ref>

One of the largest [[ethnic enclave]]s of [[Koryo-saram]] (ethnic Koreans of the former Soviet Union) in South Korea is located in Gwangju: the [[Gwangju Koryoin Village]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Jung-youn |first=Lee |date=2023-02-24 |title=[Weekender] Koryoin from Ukraine find new home in ancestors' land |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230224000657 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=[[The Korea Herald]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-13 |title=The long journey of Korejskij |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/10/13/opinion/fountain/Primorsky-Krai-in-Russia-Arirang-Nursing-Home-Central-Asia/20201013194600360.html |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |language=en}}</ref> Schools in the vicinity of the village, such as {{Ill|Ha-nam Jung-ang Elementary School|ko|하남중앙초등학교}}, have significant proportions of Russian speakers as a result.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=As multicultural students surge, Korea's classrooms change |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2023-11-07/national/socialAffairs/As-multicultural-students-surge-Koreas-classrooms-change/1907731 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Climate ==
Gwangju has a cooler version of the [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfa/Cwa'') with four distinct seasons and rainfall year-round but particularly during the East Asian Monsoon Season in the summer months.

Winters, while still somewhat cold, are milder than in Seoul and cities further north due to the city's southwesterly position in the Korean peninsula.
Summers are hot and humid with abundant precipitation, particularly in the form of thunderstorms. Gwangju is one of the warmest cities in Korea in the summer due to its geographic location.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

{{Weather box
| location = Gwangju (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1939–present)
| metric first = Y
| single line = Y

| Jan record high C = 18.8
| Feb record high C = 22.6
| Mar record high C = 28.3
| Apr record high C = 30.4
| May record high C = 33.9
| Jun record high C = 37.2
| Jul record high C = 38.5
| Aug record high C = 38.5
| Sep record high C = 35.9
| Oct record high C = 31.1
| Nov record high C = 27.1
| Dec record high C = 19.9
| year record high C = 38.5

| Jan high C = 5.7
| Feb high C = 8.3
| Mar high C = 13.6
| Apr high C = 19.9
| May high C = 24.8
| Jun high C = 27.9
| Jul high C = 30.0
| Aug high C = 30.9
| Sep high C = 27.1
| Oct high C = 21.9
| Nov high C = 15.0
| Dec high C = 8.0
| year high C = 19.4

| Jan mean C = 1.0
| Feb mean C = 2.9
| Mar mean C = 7.5
| Apr mean C = 13.4
| May mean C = 18.7
| Jun mean C = 22.7
| Jul mean C = 25.9
| Aug mean C = 26.5
| Sep mean C = 22.2
| Oct mean C = 16.1
| Nov mean C = 9.6
| Dec mean C = 3.2
| year mean C = 14.1

| Jan low C = -2.7
| Feb low C = -1.5
| Mar low C = 2.4
| Apr low C = 7.8
| May low C = 13.4
| Jun low C = 18.7
| Jul low C = 22.8
| Aug low C = 23.2
| Sep low C = 18.2
| Oct low C = 11.2
| Nov low C = 5.0
| Dec low C = -0.8
| year low C = 9.8

| Jan record low C = -19.4
| Feb record low C = -17.7
| Mar record low C = -10.7
| Apr record low C = -4.5
| May record low C = 1.4
| Jun record low C = 7.2
| Jul record low C = 14.9
| Aug record low C = 12.6
| Sep record low C = 5.6
| Oct record low C = -2.7
| Nov record low C = -7.2
| Dec record low C = -13.7
| year record low C = -19.4

| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 32.6
| Feb precipitation mm = 43.6
| Mar precipitation mm = 61.9
| Apr precipitation mm = 86.6
| May precipitation mm = 91.4
| Jun precipitation mm = 152.6
| Jul precipitation mm = 294.2
| Aug precipitation mm = 326.4
| Sep precipitation mm = 145.0
| Oct precipitation mm = 59.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 50.2
| Dec precipitation mm = 37.1
| year precipitation mm = 1380.6

| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 10.1
| Feb precipitation days = 8.2
| Mar precipitation days = 8.8
| Apr precipitation days = 8.9
| May precipitation days = 9.0
| Jun precipitation days = 10.2
| Jul precipitation days = 15.1
| Aug precipitation days = 15.0
| Sep precipitation days = 9.6
| Oct precipitation days = 6.8
| Nov precipitation days = 8.8
| Dec precipitation days = 10.2
| year precipitation days =

| Jan snow days = 9.9
| Feb snow days = 6.3
| Mar snow days = 2.4
| Apr snow days = 0.3
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 1.1
| Dec snow days = 8.4
| year snow days =

| Jan humidity = 65.7
| Feb humidity = 61.6
| Mar humidity = 60.3
| Apr humidity = 60.2
| May humidity = 64.5
| Jun humidity = 72.0
| Jul humidity = 79.8
| Aug humidity = 78.0
| Sep humidity = 73.6
| Oct humidity = 67.6
| Nov humidity = 66.9
| Dec humidity = 66.9
| year humidity = 68.1

| Jan sun = 161.4
| Feb sun = 170.5
| Mar sun = 201.0
| Apr sun = 214.1
| May sun = 227.9
| Jun sun = 169.9
| Jul sun = 143.1
| Aug sun = 169.0
| Sep sun = 174.4
| Oct sun = 208.5
| Nov sun = 167.4
| Dec sun = 156.9
| year sun = 2164.1

| Jan percentsun = 51.1
| Feb percentsun = 53.4
| Mar percentsun = 51.8
| Apr percentsun = 54.3
| May percentsun = 51.3
| Jun percentsun = 39.0
| Jul percentsun = 32.9
| Aug percentsun = 41.4
| Sep percentsun = 46.3
| Oct percentsun = 58.5
| Nov percentsun = 52.7
| Dec percentsun = 51.1
| year percentsun = 48.0

| Jan uv = 2
| Feb uv = 2
| Mar uv = 3
| Apr uv = 4
| May uv = 5
| Jun uv = 5
| Jul uv = 7
| Aug uv = 6
| Sep uv = 5
| Oct uv = 3
| Nov uv = 3
| Dec uv = 2

| source 1 = [[Korea Meteorological Administration]] (percent sunshine 1981–2010)<ref name= KMA>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220129211110/https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf
| archive-date = 29 January 2022
| url = https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf
| title = Climatological Normals of Korea (1991 ~ 2020)
| publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration
| access-date = 4 April 2022
| language = ko}}</ref><ref name= KMAextremes>
{{cite web
| url = https://data.kma.go.kr/climate/extremum/selectExtremumList.do?pgmNo=103
| publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration
| access-date = 4 April 2022
| script-title = ko:순위값 – 구역별조회
| language = ko
| archive-date = 7 October 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211007220002/https://data.kma.go.kr/climate/extremum/selectExtremumList.do?pgmNo=103
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name= KMAnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161207185450/http://www.kma.go.kr/down/Climatological_2010.pdf
| archive-date = 7 December 2016
| url = http://www.kma.go.kr/down/Climatological_2010.pdf
| publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration
| access-date = 8 December 2016
| title = Climatological Normals of Korea
| date = 2011}}</ref>
| source 2 = Weather Atlas (UV)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/south-korea/gwangju-climate |title=Gwangju, South Korea – Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast |publisher=Yu Media Group |website=Weather Atlas |language=en |access-date=9 July 2019 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918073556/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/south-korea/gwangju-climate |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

== Education ==
Chonnam National University, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, and Gwangju Education University are public universities in Gwangju.

[[Honam University]], [[Gwangju University]], Gwangshin University, Gwangju Women's University, Nambu University, [[Chosun University]], and Honam Christian University are private universities.

[[Gwangju Health University]] is a private community college offering associate degrees in humanities and social sciences and healthcare sciences, and a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Gwangju has 593 schools, consisting of 234 kindergartens, 145 elementary schools, 84 middle schools, 65 high schools, 1 science high school,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160813124224/http://www.gsa.hs.kr/ Gwangju science academy]</ref> 7 junior colleges, 9 universities, 38 graduate schools, and 11 others (as of 1 May 2009) with a total of 406,669 students, or 28.5% of the total city population. The average number of students per household is 0.8.

== Transportation ==
The city is served by the [[Gwangju Subway]]. An extension was completed in April 2008, with the remainder being completed in 2012. The first phase of a second line, which, when completed, will be an orbital loop line, will open in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=Work starts on next phase of Gwangju orbital metro line |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/metros/work-starts-on-next-phase-of-gwangju-orbital-metro-line/65620.article |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116102657/https://www.railwaygazette.com/metros/work-starts-on-next-phase-of-gwangju-orbital-metro-line/65620.article |archive-date=2024-01-16 |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=[[Railway Gazette]]}}</ref> There are two [[Korea Train Express|KTX]] stations in the city: [[Gwangju station]] and [[Gwangju Songjeong Station]]. Gwangju Songjeong Station connects to the Gwangju Subway and the local bus system. Now, the Songjeong station is mainly used.

Gwangju has an extensive system of public buses that traverse the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bus.gjcity.net/busmap/lineSearch|script-title=ko:광주광역시 버스정보|website=bus.gjcity.net|access-date=2016-07-29|archive-date=8 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908215027/http://bus.gjcity.net/busmap/lineSearch|url-status=live}}</ref> Bus stops and buses themselves contain stop information in Korean and English. Local buses, but not the subway or KTX, connect to the intercity Gwangju Bus Terminal known as U-Square.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1123857|script-title=ko:U-Square (Gwangju Bus Terminal) (유스퀘어(광주종합버스터미널))|website=[[VisitKorea.or.kr]]|access-date=2016-07-29|archive-date=16 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916114242/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1123857|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gwangju is also served by the [[Gwangju Airport]].

== Tourism ==
{{update|date=June 2015}}
* [[Asia Culture Center]] – The Asia Culture Center (also known as the ACC) is a facility in downtown Gwangju designed to celebrate and explore Gwangju's artistic and democratic culture and history, as well as provide space to host exhibits, experiences, and events from international artists. It is built primarily below street level, though its design incorporates large amounts of natural lighting. There are five facilities: ACC Exchange, ACC Theater, ACC Creation, ACC Archive & Research, and ACC Children <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acc.go.kr/en|title=Asia Culture Center|website=www.acc.go.kr|access-date=2016-07-29|archive-date=3 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103082937/https://www.acc.go.kr/en|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Gwangju Biennale]] – This is a modern art festival that is held every two years. It was first launched in 1995. The Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall is at the Jung-oe Park Culture Center and the Science Center.
* Gwangju Culture & Art Center – The center regularly hosts events.[http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1177654 Gwangju Culture & Art Center Official Website]
* Gwangju Hyanggyo (Confucian School) – Gwangju Hyanggyo is in the Gwangju Park in Sa-dong. There are traditional houses here estimated as having been built during the 1st year of the Joseon period in 1392. This school continues to hold memorial ceremonies for Confucius twice a year. Admission is free. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063259/http://www.gwangjuguide.or.kr/2010/04/gwangju-hyanggyo/ More about Gwangju Hyanggyo]
* [[Gwangju National Museum]] – The museum houses a permanent collection of historical art and cultural relics that date back to the old Joseon and Goryeo periods of Korean history. The museum also organizes exhibitions and cultural learning activities that are open to the public.
* Gwangju 5.18 Road is the course about the [[Gwangju Uprising|Democracy Movement of 1980]]. The courses include the historical places. [http://518road.518.org/ More about 5.18Road]
* [[May 18th National Cemetery]]
* Food streets – Gwangju has numerous designated Food Streets where multiple restaurants serving dishes renowned to Gwangju can be found. These include Mudeungsan Boribap Street (a meal of barley with a variety of side dishes),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://utour.gwangju.go.kr/contents.do?S=S02&M=041101000000 |title=Mudeungsan Boribap Street &#124; Food Street &#124; Things to Eat:: Tourism Portals(영문포털) |website=utour.gwangju.go.kr |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910054814/http://utour.gwangju.go.kr/contents.do?S=S02&M=041101000000 |archive-date=10 September 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Duck Cook Street (oritang, a duck stew, and grilled duck),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://utour.gwangju.go.kr/contents.do?S=S02&M=041102000000 |title=Duck Cook Street &#124; Food Street &#124; Things to Eat:: Tourism Portals(영문포털) |website=utour.gwangju.go.kr |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807071139/http://utour.gwangju.go.kr/contents.do?S=S02&M=041102000000 |archive-date=7 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Folk Tteokgalbi Street<ref>{{cite web |url=http://utour.gwangju.go.kr/contents.do?S=S02&M=041103000000 |title=Folk Tteokgalbi Street &#124; Food Street &#124; Things to Eat:: Tourism Portals(영문포털) |website=utour.gwangju.go.kr |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807034556/http://utour.gwangju.go.kr/contents.do?S=S02&M=041103000000 |archive-date=7 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> (a meal of grilled minced pork or beef patties eaten wrapped in lettuce and served with ox bone soup and a variety of side dishes) and Kotgejang Baekban Street<ref>{{cite web |url=http://utour.gwangju.go.kr/contents.do?S=S02&M=041104000000 |title=Kotgejang Baekban Street &#124; Food Street &#124; Things to Eat:: Tourism Portals(영문포털) |website=utour.gwangju.go.kr |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807012127/http://utour.gwangju.go.kr/contents.do?S=S02&M=041104000000 |archive-date=7 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> (a meal of crabs preserved in soy sauce served with a variety of side dishes).
* [[Gwangju World Cup Stadium]] – It is a historical place for Korean soccer history. Because at this stadium in [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], [[South Korea national football team]] beat Spain soccer team in 3:5 at the quarter-Final, and advanced to the Semi-Final match with Germany in that World Cup, for the first time in the Asian soccer history.

== Sport and culture ==
[[File:Gwangju World Cup Stadium.jpg|thumb|[[Gwangju World Cup Stadium]].]]
[[File:Gwangju Kia Champions Field View 02.jpg|thumb|[[Gwangju-Kia Champions Field]], home field of Kia Tigers.]]
* It is the home of [[Kia Tigers]] of the Korea Professional Baseball League ([[Korea Baseball Organization|KBO]]).
* [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] – [[Gwangju World Cup Stadium]] was one of the venues used for the World Cup and was where the [[South Korea national football team]] advanced to the semi-finals for the first time in its history by defeating Spain.
* It is the home of [[Gwangju FC]] of the [[K League]].<ref>{{in lang|ko}} K-League news [http://new.kleaguei.com/fan/ground/view.aspx?u=12179 4강 역사를 쓴 그곳, 광주 월드컵 경기장 Dream stadium of K-League] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216183643/http://new.kleaguei.com/fan/ground/view.aspx?u=12179 |date=16 February 2009 }}</ref>
* [[Universiade]] – It was the venue for the 2015 Summer [[Universiade]] games.
* The [[Asia Song Festival|3rd Asia Song Festival]] an annual Asian pop music festival hosted by the ''Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange'', in 2006, was held at the [[Gwangju World Cup Stadium]].<ref>KOFICE [http://english.kofice.or.kr/d40_asia/d40_asia_02_2006y.asp 3rd Asia Song Festival] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829235704/http://english.kofice.or.kr/d40_asia/d40_asia_02_2006y.asp |date=29 August 2011 }} 22 September 2006. Retrieved 2011-10-12</ref>
* The International Design Alliance (IDA) appointed Gwangju as the host destination of the 2015 IDA Congress.
* Festivals are held in Gwangju. ({{ill|List of festivals in Gwangju|ko|광주광역시의 축제 목록}})
* 2019 [[FINA World Aquatics Championships]]
* 2014 Gwangju ACE Fair (Asia Content & Entertainment Fair)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acefair.or.kr/|script-title=ko:2016 광주 ACE Fair|website=www.acefair.or.kr|access-date=2016-04-25|archive-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103051842/http://www.acefair.or.kr/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The Ministry of SMEs said Gwangju was selected as the site for the creation of the '''''"Green-Startup-Town."''''' It is said that it will benchmark [[London King's Cross railway station|King's Cross Station]], a successful case of urban regeneration in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], to establish a start-up hub (private research institute, research and development company, start-up company, etc.) at Gwangju Station.<ref>{{cite web|last=이|first=태수|date=2021-05-13|script-title=ko:광주역 일대에 창업거점 '그린 스타트업 타운' 만든다|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20210513039200030|access-date=2021-05-13|website=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|language=ko|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513123340/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20210513039200030|url-status=live}}</ref>
* It is the home of [[Gwangju AI Peppers]] of the [[V-League (South Korea)|V-League]].

== Cityscape ==
[[File:Gwangju at sunset.jpg|thumb|Picture taken from a hill overlooking Gwangju in April 2017.]]
[[File:Chonnam National University Hospital, Dong-gu, Gwangju 08.jpg|thumb|[[Dong-gu, Gwangju|Dong-gu]]]]
* [[Mudeungsan]] – It is a mountain that is part of [[Mudeungsan National Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.knps.or.kr/|title=Korea National Park|website=english.knps.or.kr|access-date=2016-04-25|archive-date=2 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702123827/http://english.knps.or.kr/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== International relations ==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in South Korea}}

=== Sister cities ===
Gwangju is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Sister Cities|url=https://www.gwangju.go.kr/eng/contentsView.do?pageId=eng19|website=gwangju.go.kr|publisher=Gwangju|access-date=2023-02-02|archive-date=2 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202080701/https://www.gwangju.go.kr/eng/contentsView.do?pageId=eng19|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Changzhi]], China (2014)
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Guangzhou]], China (1996)
* {{flagicon|IDN}} [[Medan]], Indonesia (1997)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[San Antonio]], United States (1982)
* {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Sendai]], Japan (2002)
* {{flagicon|TWN}} [[Tainan]], Taiwan (1968)
{{div col end}}

=== Partnerships and cooperations ===
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Turin]], Italy<ref name="Turin twinnings">{{cite web|url=http://www.comune.torino.it/relint/inglese/gemellaggieaccordi/index.shtml|title=International Affairs – Twinnings and Agreements|access-date=2013-08-06|last=Pessotto|first=Lorenzo|work=International Affairs Service in cooperation with Servizio Telematico Pubblico|publisher=City of Torino|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618182559/http://www.comune.torino.it/relint/inglese/gemellaggieaccordi/index.shtml|archive-date=2013-06-18}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|MYS}} [[Seberang Perai]], Malaysia (2013)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/08/01/mpsp-sets-sights-on-city-status-we-hope-to-achieve-this-by-2024-says-council-president/|title=MPSP sets sights on city status|date=1 August 2016|work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705033142/https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/08/01/mpsp-sets-sights-on-city-status-we-hope-to-achieve-this-by-2024-says-council-president/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
=== Art ===
* [[Zheng Lücheng|Chong Ryul-song]] – author of the ''[[Military Anthem of the People's Liberation Army|Military Anthem of the People's Liberation Army of China]]''

=== Literature ===
* [[Han Kang]] – author of ''[[The Vegetarian]]'' and ''Human Acts'' and winner of the 2024 [[Nobel Prize in Literature]]

=== Entertainers ===
* Jung Ho-seok (stage name [[J-Hope]]) – member of K-pop group ''[[BTS]]''
* Jeong Yun-ho (stage name Yunho) – member of K-pop group [[ATEEZ]]
* [[Moon Geun-young]] – South Korean actress and singer
* Lee Seung-hyun (stage name [[Seungri]]) – former member of K-pop group ''[[Big Bang (South Korean band)|Big Bang]]''
* Jung Yun-ho (stage name [[Yunho|U-Know]]) – member of K-pop group ''[[TVXQ]]''
* [[Seo Hye-lin]] – member of K-pop group ''[[EXID]]''
* Sim Jayoon (stage name YOON) – member of K-pop group ''[[STAYC]]''
* [[Lee Gi-kwang]] – member of K-pop group ''[[Highlight (band)|Highlight]]''
* [[Lee Sung-jong]] – member of K-pop group ''[[Infinite (group)|Infinite]]''
* [[Lee Hyun]] – singer 
* [[Hyungwon|Chae Hyung-won]] – member of K-pop group ''[[Monsta X]]''
* Im Chang-kyun (stage name [[I.M (rapper)|I.M.]]) – member of K-pop group ''Monsta X'' (originally from [[Suwon]])
* Bae Su-ji (stage name [[Bae Suzy|Suzy]]) – former member of K-pop group ''[[Miss A]]''
* Gong Min-ji (stage name [[Minzy]]) – member of K-pop group ''[[2NE1]]''
* [[Hwayoung|Ryu Hwa-young]] – former member of K-pop group ''[[T-ara]]''
* [[Goo Hara]] – former member of kpop group [[Kara (South Korean group)|''KARA'']]
* [[Kim Yu-bin (musician)|Kim Yu-bin]] – former member of K-pop group ''[[Wonder Girls]]''
* [[Hong Jin-young]] – a trot singer
* [[Park Shin-hye]] – South Korean actress
* [[Wooseok|Jung Woo-seok]] – member of K-pop group ''[[Pentagon (South Korean band)|Pentagon]]''
* [[Lee Na-gyung]] – member of K-pop group [[Fromis 9]]
* [[Fromis 9|Song Ha Young]] – member of K-pop group [[Fromis 9]]
* Seo Woobin – member of K-pop group [[Cravity]]
* Oh Seunghee – member of K-pop group [[CLC (group)|CLC]]
* Lee Su-jeong (stage name [[Babysoul]])- leader and member of K-pop group [[Lovelyz]]
* Bae Seung-min – member of K-pop group [[Golden Child]]
* Park Soeun – member of K-pop group [[Weeekly]]
* Lee Taeyeob (stage name Yoojung) – member of K-pop group [[OnlyOneOf]]
* Kim Seh-yoon (stage name Wow) – member of K-pop group [[A.C.E (South Korean band)|A.C.E]]
* Jang Seowon – member of K-pop group [[Lapillus (group)|Lapillus]]
* Kim Yeon-hee (stage name Yeonhee) – former member of K-pop girl group [[Rocket Punch]] 
* Kim Yeunja (born 1959) – South Korean trot singer
* Joo Hyunmi (born 1961) – South Korean trot singer
* Jang Beomjoon (born 1989) – South Korean singer, former member of [[Busker Busker]]
* Lee Ha-joon (stage name Hajoon) – member of Korean indie-rock band [[The Rose (band)|The Rose]]
* Han Dongmin (stage name Taesan) – member of K-pop group [[Boynextdoor]]

=== Sports ===
* [[Ki Sung-yueng]] – International [[association football|footballer]]
* [[An San]] – Olympic gold medalist in women's team, mixed team, and individual archery at the 2021 Tokyo Summer Games
* [[An Se-young]] – Badminton Player
* [[Kim Byunghyun]] (born 1979) – South Korean former baseball player
* [[Jung-ho Kang|Kang Jung-ho]] (born 1987) – South Korean former baseball player
* [[Oner (gamer)|Moon "Oner" Hyeon-jun]], (born 2002), professional [[League of Legends]] player, Jungler for [[T1 (esports)|T1]]

=== Politics ===
* [[Chi Hyun Chung]] – Bolivian politician and presidential candidate for [[2019 Bolivian general election|2019]] and [[2020 Bolivian general election|2020]] elections
* [[Elizabeth Lee (politician)|Elizabeth Lee]] – Australian politician and [[Leader of the Opposition (Australian Capital Territory)|Leader of the Opposition of the Australian Capital Territory]]

=== Science ===
* [[Yi So-yeon]] – South Korean biotechnologist and astronaut, the first Korean to fly to space

== See also ==
* [[Gwangju Castle]]
* [[List of cities in South Korea]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
* {{citation |first=Hugh Alexander |last=Webster |display-authors=0 |contribution=[[s:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition/Corea|Corea]] |title=Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol.{{nbs}}VI |editor-last=Baynes |editor-first=Thomas Spencer |display-editors=0 |publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons |location=New York |date=1878 |ref={{harvid|''EB''|1878}} |pages=390–394 }}.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Gwangju}}
{{wikivoyage|Gwangju}}
* {{URL|1=https://www.gwangju.go.kr/eng/|2=Official website}} {{in lang|en}}
* [http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?areaCode=5 Gwangju:Official Site of Korea Tourism Org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929171719/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?areaCode=5 |date=29 September 2010 }}

{{Gwangju}}
{{Regions and administrative divisions of South Korea}}
{{Metropolitan cities of South Korea}}
{{Most populous cities in South Korea}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Gwangju| ]]
[[Category:50s BC establishments]]
[[Category:57 BC]]
[[Category:Special Cities and Metropolitan Cities of South Korea]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1st century]]