A Car-Free Day Connected by Gwangju Subway Line 1

Gwangju Subway Line 1 stretches from Pyeongdong to Gwangju Songjeong Station, passing through the Sangmu District, Yangdong Market, Geumnamro, and the Culture Center, all the way to Sotae. Rather than completing the entire line, it’s better to choose one or two stations with different purposes, such as the exhibitions at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center, the history of the May 18 Memorial Park, walks around the Uncheon Reservoir, food at Yangdong Market, movies at Gwangju Theater, and cultural programs at the ACC. This list compiles actual places you can visit without a car.

Even if the station name and destination name are the same, the walking distance can vary greatly depending on the exit you take. The market can mean carrying more items, and parks usually require longer walks, so it’s good to decide on your order of visit. The Kim Dae-jung Convention Center and ACC on event days, as well as the Sangmu-Geumnamro area during rush hours, can be crowded. Check your transit card and last train times, as well as elevator locations, and plan a simple route by completing your tasks at one station before boarding again.

If you start from the west, you can visit Uncheon Reservoir or the May 18 Memorial Park after passing through Gwangju Songjeong Station and the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center. In the old downtown, it’s efficient to have a meal at Yangdong Market Station and then walk along Geumnamro 4-ga and Culture Center Station to connect with Gwangju Theater and ACC. From Nam Gwangju Station, you can see both the market and the Blue Road Park. Don’t try to hit all locations in one day; focus on either the western district or the downtown area.

During commuting hours, avoid carrying large bags and moving in groups, and follow the safety lines on the platform as well as right-side walking instructions. Please wrap up wet umbrellas and market food to consider other passengers, and give priority to elevator access for wheelchair users and strollers. The actual walking path from the station to the destination may change due to construction or events, so check the map on the day of your visit. The advantage of a car-free trip is that you don’t have to worry about parking, which allows you to flexibly adjust your schedule according to your walking pace.