Gwangyang Jangdo Museum, Healthy and Fulfilling Summer at Baegunsan's Four Major Valleys -
From Historical Sites like Kim Sisik's Residence to Sparkling Night Views
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do has unveiled an August travel course for Gwangyang that allows visitors to spend a healthy and fulfilling summer, coinciding with the start of the vacation and holiday season.
The city has organized half-day, one-day, and one-night two-day courses centered around cultural and artistic spaces such as the Gwangyang Jangdo Museum and Gwangyang Art Warehouse, as well as the four major valleys of Baegunsan Mountain, known for their refreshing streams.
The half-day course, "Half a Day in Gwangyang," connects the Jeollanam-do Provincial Museum of Art & Gwangyang Art Warehouse, Gwangyang Jangdo Museum, delightful gourmet experiences (Gwangyang Bulgogi or Gwangyang Charcoal-grilled Chicken), Gubongsan Observatory, Yi Sun-sin Bridge, and Haeoreum Overpass.
The August half-day course offers a tour of museums and galleries that can enhance emotional sensitivity and allows visitors to enjoy Gwangyang’s beautiful night views, including Gubongsan Observatory and Yi Sun-sin Bridge.
The Gwangyang Jangdo Museum is a spiritual space that steadfastly engraves the spirit of single-minded devotion, continuing the legacy of the third-generation National Intangible Cultural Property No. 60 Jangdo Master (粧刀匠), offering exhibitions and hands-on experiences.
The first-floor exhibition hall displays over 100 items, including swords from around the world and fantasy swords, while the second floor presents not only the works of the Jangdo master but also the history and production process of Jangdo in a serious manner.
At the Jeollanam-do Provincial Museum of Art, heavy exhibitions that penetrate the human inner world such as Park Chi-ho’s solo exhibition "Big Man: The Body That Rises Again," the planned exhibition "Mourning: At the End of Loss," and Yoon Jae-woo’s special exhibition "The Beauty of Color," boasting outstanding color sensibility, are being held.
At Gwangyang Art Warehouse, visitors can view the award-winning works of the youth drawing contest "Beautiful Gwangyang," photographer Lee Kyung-mo’s archive, and media art.
The one-day course spending a full day in Gwangyang tours Seongbulsa Temple, Seongbul Valley, delightful gourmet experiences (Gwangyang Bulgogi or Gwangyang Charcoal-grilled Chicken), Jeollanam-do Provincial Museum of Art & Gwangyang Art Warehouse, Gwangyang Wine Cave, Gubongsan Observatory, and Yi Sun-sin Bridge.
Seongbul Valley, one of the four major valleys of Baegunsan Mountain, is a secret forest where even the soul is purified, boasting cold streams flowing among bizarre rocks.
Climbing upstream along Seongbul Valley under the protection of the lined-up wooden soldier statues, visitors are greeted by the clear and serene sounds of Seongbulsa Temple’s scenery.
Gwangyang Wine Cave, maintaining an average temperature of 17.5°C year-round, is a sanctuary for summer relief where visitors can escape the scorching sun and enjoy art and romance with wine, a garden of contemplation, and the fantasy of light, making it a summer hot spot.
The one-night two-day course "Counting Stars at Night in Gwangyang" dreams of spending a night in Gwangyang, traveling through Gwangyang’s nature and culture from Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest to Mangdeok Port’s preserved house of poet Yun Dong-ju’s manuscripts and Jeong Byeong-wook’s house, and enjoying beautiful night views.
The first day’s course includes Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest (Healing Forest, Wood Culture Experience Center), delightful gourmet experiences (Gwangyang Bulgogi or Gwangyang Charcoal-grilled Chicken), Jeollanam-do Provincial Museum of Art & Gwangyang Art Warehouse, Gwangyang Wine Cave, Gubongsan Observatory, and Yi Sun-sin Bridge.
The second day leisurely concludes the one-night two-day grand journey with visits to the seaweed cultivation site, Baedaldo Island Garden, Mangdeok Port (Yun Dong-ju Manuscript Preservation Jeong Byeong-wook House), delightful gourmet experiences (Seomjingang Freshwater Clam Soup & Clam Noodles), Neuraengi-gol Natural Recreation Forest, and Eochi Valley.
Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest offers a forest vacation filled with phytoncides in a dense primeval forest, ecological forest, healing forest, wood culture experience center, and lodging facilities.
Visiting historical sites such as the world’s first seaweed cultivation site and the Jeong Byeong-wook House preserving Yun Dong-ju’s handwritten manuscripts adds depth to the travel experience.
Kim Seongsu, head of the Tourism Division, said, “The August Gwangyang travel courses are designed to help people enjoy the summer vacation and holidays joyfully and meaningfully,” adding, “Please enjoy relaxation in the four major valleys of Baegunsan Mountain and don’t miss the sparkling night views of Gwangyang.”
He continued, “We also recommend planning a fulfilling summer trip that includes historical sites such as the Gwangyang Jangdo Museum, the seaweed cultivation site, and the Jeong Byeong-wook House preserving Yun Dong-ju’s manuscripts, to reflect on the value of intangible things.”
Gwangyang City continuously offers travel courses considering travel time and routes, ranging from half-day courses centered on monthly hot spots for casual visits to one-night two-day courses that allow discovery of the city’s true charm in every corner.
Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr
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