Gwangju
Gwangju is worth visiting for Mudeungsan hikes and Jeolla food, and it works best as a one or two night stop in south-west South Korea.
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Gwangju is the main city of south-west South Korea, in the Jeolla region. Most visitors come for Mudeungsan, the mountain on the city's southern edge, which has hiking trails of several lengths and Buddhist temples near its base. The food is a major reason to stay: Jeolla cooking is known for its many shared side dishes and grilled meats. Gwangju is also the city of the May 18 Democratic Uprising of 1980, and the May 18 National Cemetery is a quiet stop for many visitors.
Gwangju works well as a one or two night stop on a longer route through Jeolla, with Jeonju to the north and Mokpo to the south-west. Spring and autumn suit hiking best, and summer is hot and humid. Plan one full day for the mountain and the city, and add a second night if you want time to move slowly. KTX trains run from Seoul to Gwangju Songjeong Station.
Gwangju in five
- Walk Mudeungsan, free and open all dayKTO lists Mudeungsan National Park as open 24 hours with free entry, subject to closure in bad weather, with a summit of 1,186 m and gentle slopes. Check conditions the evening before.Mudeungsan on VisitKorea
- Use the Honam Line to reach the cityKTO describes the Honam Line from Seodaejeon to Mokpo with Gwangju-Songjeong among its major stops; KTX and SRT also run to Mokpo. Check Korail for the train that serves your day.Transport planning
- Expect a new name on addressesKTO listings now give Gwangju and Mokpo addresses under Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City. Maps and signs may use either the old or new name, so search by place name.
- Visit the temples at the foot of the mountainKTO names Yaksasa, Jeungsimsa and Wonhyosa as well-known temples at the base of Mudeungsan, and Gyubongam Hermitage as an autumn leaf spot. Pair a morning walk with a temple visit.
- Link Gwangju with Jeonju and MokpoThe Jeolla region rewards a route rather than a base: Jeonju for hanok streets, Gwangju for the mountain, Mokpo for the harbor and island ferries.Mokpo travel guide
Things to do in Gwangju
See all attractions in Gwangju
Need to know
- Getting there
- Honam Line rail from Seoul; check Korail for the train
- Getting around
- City buses, subway and taxis
- Best base
- Near the main rail station for onward trips
- Mudeungsan
- Open 24 hours, free; closes in adverse weather (KTO)
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh5°Low-3°Cold, dryJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dry
- FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh8°Low-2°ColdFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low3°Mild, dustyMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, dusty
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low7°Spring blossomsAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring blossoms
- MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Warm, clearMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JuneRain11 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 193 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Hot, humidJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 301 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Typhoon riskAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 212 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- SeptemberRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Clear, mildSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 187 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, mild
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Autumn colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberClear6 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°CrispNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Crisp
- DecemberPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh7°Low-1°ColdDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
Average daily high and low in Gwangju, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Gwangju
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 50%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Gwangju
12:15 PM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today18°6°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 18°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed16°9°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu19°11°90%Thursday: Rain. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Fri14°5°0%Friday: Fog. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat9°3°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun7°3°12%Sunday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Mon12°1°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 10:49 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,344 KRW
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Jeonjuwithin the Jeolla region; check rail or busA hanok village and food city, an easy partner stop.Read the guide
- Mokpoat the end of the Honam LineA harbor city with a rock formation on the coast and island ferries.Read the guide
- Seoulby KTX or SRT; check KorailThe capital is the main origin for Honam trips.Read the guide
Before you go to Gwangju
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Rules for Gwangju, checked
- Mudeungsan National Park: open 24 hours, free entry, closed in adverse weather; the mountain stands 1,186 m high.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Plan around Gwangju
Cities, KTX routes and entry rules
Read the guideJeonju travel guideHanok village and food
Read the guideMokpo travel guideHarbor, rocks and island ferries
Read the guideSeoul travel guideThe usual start of a Honam trip
Read the guideTrains and transportKTX, SRT and express buses
Read the guideDaegu travel guideA southeast regional city, by rail or bus
Read the guideK-ETA explainedWho needs it and where to apply
Read the guideGwangju FAQ
Is Gwangju worth visiting?
Yes as part of a Jeolla route. Mudeungsan gives an easy mountain day close to the city, and the temples at its base add culture. Skip it if you only have a few days and want the coast.
Do you need a reservation to hike Mudeungsan?
KTO lists the park as free and open 24 hours, subject to closure in bad weather, and gives no reservation rule. Check the park's notices before a typhoon or heavy rain forecast.
How do you get from Seoul to Gwangju?
By rail on the Honam Line corridor or by express bus. KTO lists KTX and SRT services toward Mokpo, so confirm on Korail which train stops at Gwangju for your day.
How many days do you need in Gwangju?
One day for Mudeungsan and a temple, two if you want an evening in the city. Most visitors add Jeonju or Mokpo to the same trip.
What is the best time to visit Gwangju?
April, May, September and October. Autumn leaves at Gyubongam Hermitage and silver grass on Baengma Ridge are named by KTO as seasonal highlights; July and August are hot and humid.