Hanguk Sikdang | Restaurant Guide | K-Travel Mate

This bulgogi specialty street has become a famous symbol of Gwangyang, highly praised by cartoonist Heo Young-man on Baekban Gihang, who said that among Korea's three great bulgogis—Gwangyang, Hanyang, and Eonyang—Gwangyang bulgogi is the best. It is also known as a must-visit course for travelers visiting Gwangyang. At Gwangyang Bulgogi Specialty Street, there is a Gwangyang Bulgogi Park restaurant map, and a variety of restaurants are located here offering not just bulgogi but also cold noodles, gukbap, samgyetang, shabu-shabu, grilled chicken, and more. The street is divided into thematic sections: 1 Madang "Matnaso" invites visitors to enter the history of Gwangyang bulgogi; 2 Madang "Nanwoso" is a space harmonizing the sacrificial life of cattle with nature; 3 Madang is a coexistence space where residents, merchants, and visitors unite; and 4 Madang "Maroso" is a main theme park expressing the story of Cheonha Ilmi Marohwajeok. Attractions such as the Gwangyang Bulgogi storyboard, friendly sculptures of mother and baby cattle, the hope bull symbolizing luck and guardian spirits, and the backward-running clock tower also pique interest. If you are planning a trip to Gwangyang, a visit here is highly recommended.

A small temple located in Gwangyang-eup, Gwangyang-si, it is a branch temple of Songgwangsa, the head temple of the 21st district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. In 1965, Monk Chwibung remodeled a private house into a Dharma hall to assist Monk Gusan's practice, so it lacks the feel of a traditional old temple but demonstrates the utmost effort at the forefront of urban Buddhist propagation. Unlike traditional temples with long histories, the buildings are not old and feel like a hanok. Bogwangsa's propagation focuses less on scripture or academic study and more on meditation and prayer that Buddhists can actually experience and feel. Next to the Samsunggak Shrine is the agricultural corporation cafe 'Ondam,' offering healthy food and hands-on experiences. It is close to the Seocheon Rainbow Fountain, about 900m from the Gwangyang Office Annex 2. Within about a 5-minute drive are the Gwangyang 5-Day Market (1st and 6th) site and Yudang Neighborhood Park.

Seowon were private educational institutions during the Joseon Dynasty established to honor great Confucian scholars and educate local people. Sinjae Seowon is believed to have been built by Jeong Suk-nam, the magistrate of Gwangyang, to commemorate Choi San-du, who was from Gwangyang, and Park Se-hu, a former magistrate of Gwangyang. It was destroyed during the Jeongyu War but rebuilt by local scholars in the Shinmi year of King Sukjong’s reign. Later, it was abolished under the Daewon-gun's order to close seowons, and then re-established at its current location in 1977. Choi San-du (1482–1536), a Sarim scholar who suffered during the Gimyo Succession Strife in King Jungjong’s reign, had the pen name Sinjae and was from the Gwangyang clan. It is said he was named San-du after receiving the energy of the Big Dipper that descended on Baegunsan Mountain when he was born. He passed the special state examination and served at the Hongmungwan and Saganwon. Park Se-hu (1493–1550), also a Sarim scholar affected by the same strife, bore the pen name Injae and came from the Sangju clan. After passing the Jinsa examination and the special state examination, he served as a Hongmungwa doctor, Seonggyungwan registrar, and inspector at the Saheonbu before being appointed magistrate of Gwangyang. As magistrate, he promoted scholarship and established the Sama School, greatly advancing the Confucian legacy for which he was widely praised later. Related historic sites include the Sinjae Choi Sandu Memorial Stele and the Bongyangsa Historical Stele.

Gwangyang Hyanggyo, established in the 7th year of Taejo (1397), was destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592) but was gradually rebuilt starting in the 5th year of Gwanghaegun (1613) when the Gwangyang magistrate and local Confucian scholars collaborated to build Daeseongjeon. It underwent several repairs, but was completely destroyed during the Korean War. Reconstruction began in 1966 starting with the gate Pungwharu, rebuilt using stone pillars. Existing buildings include Daeseongjeon, Myeongnyundang, Pungwharu, Dongjae, and Seojae. Unlike the typical layout focusing on a learning space centered on Myeongnyundang in front and a ritual space centered on Daeseongjeon behind, the buildings are arranged more freely.