Gwangju: A gallery from a thriving South Korean city that isn’t Seoul.

I’m not sure how to introduce Gwangju, so I’ll say this: Gwangju isn’t a world renowned city, nor is it a usual destination for travelers. If you’re not a foreigner teaching English, or visiting one, you’ll likely never end up in here. I couldn’t find any demographic statistics on Gwangju, but like the rest of Korea, it’s very ethnically homogenous (well over 99% of the population is ethnically Korean). Talk about visible minorities – us foreigners stand out like a sore thumb.

Gwangju is South Korea’s 6^th largest city near the southwest edge of the Korean peninsula. It’s surprisingly vibrant thanks to a high population density and intelligent urban planning. It’s situated among gorgeous forested mountains; Korea is a country of mountains after all. Compared with Seoul, it’s a fair bit less crowded, the air is cleaner, and the cuisine is reportedly better (and it was, in my experience).  

I spent a few days taking in the great food and variably good soju. Coming from China a day before, Gwangju felt quaint and welcoming. With that said, the pedestrian streets of downtown Gwangju can be just as active as any Asian metropolis. So here is a gallery, off the beaten path in South Korea. Peace!