Namwon Aerospace Astronomical Observatory is a municipal science center where Namwon citizens and tourists can experience both astronomy and aerospace at the same time. It is located at the top of Chunhyang Theme Park. Due to its nature, Namwon Aerospace Astronomical Observatory is designed not as a large-scale freely roaming museum or exhibition hall but as a facility where visitors are divided into groups for room-by-room tours. It operates programs alternately, including solar and celestial observation, 4D video viewing, virtual aviation experiences, and astronomy lectures, accommodating up to 120 people per session. Using various celestial telescopes and digital celestial images installed in the observatory room, visitors can observe the moon and planets as well as star clusters and galaxies. Visitors can also get closer to the aviation field through fighter jets displayed in the aviation experience room and outdoor plaza. Especially, it runs summer vacation camps, second half local field trips, and diverse science experience classes.
Chosen as a government funded project, Namwon Aircraft & Space Observatory was granted 4.6 billion won by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in 2006 for project development.
The three-story observatory, with a total area of 6,532 square meters, has an exhibition hall showing the history of space aviation, an aviation experience hall, and a 10-meter-wide dome showing images of the night sky. The secondary observatory is equipped with a 600 millimeter telecope and other astronomical telescopes ranging in focal length from 125 millimeter to 350 millimeter for observing Namwon's night sky. In addition to the telecopes, retired combat planes from the air force, including the main fighter plane Phantom from the 1970s, are displayed outside.
Namwon Aircraft & Space Observatory offers programs such as tours and experience programs for groups. These include a 4D film experience of the sun and celestial bodies, a virtual aviation experience, and lectures about astronomy, all of which can accommodate up to 120 people per session. A variety of classroom learning activities are also offered in the summer to attract more visitors.
Seungwolgyo is a pedestrian-only bridge completed in October 1997, measuring 80m in length and 18m in height. It connects Noam-dong, Namwon-si, and Gwanghallu, spanning across the Yocheon River. It is known as the Wish Bridge due to the many wishes hung there. People living in the Namwon area used to come to the Yocheon River and watch the moon rise over Seungwoldae, praying for their wishes to come true. The bridge is decorated with various lights including 160 heart-shaped lights, 256 wall lights, and 80 floor lights, making its night view beautiful.
Chunhyang Theme Park, located in the Namwon Tourism Complex, is a cultural and artistic space themed around Chunhyang. It was selected in 1999 for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's 'Tourism Vision 21' project, construction began in December 2001, and it opened on May 1, 2004. The park is divided into five large sections representing Chunhyang's life story: Meeting, Pact, Love and Separation, Trial, and Festival. The Meeting section includes facilities such as a general information center, floor lighting fountain, traditional culture experience hall, and Chunhyang Yard. The Pact section has stone towers, a pact platform, and a swing site. The Love and Separation section features the film set, Buyongdang, Wolmaejip, and workshops. The Trial and Festival sections include Ok Sajung, which recreates prison life, and a resting plaza for visitors.
Gwanghallu Pavilion was originally a small pavilion called 'Gwangtongnu' built in 1419 when Prime Minister Hwang Hui was exiled to Namwon to enjoy the scenery. Later, in the 26th year of King Sejong's reign (1444), the Namwon magistrate Min Gong repaired it, and Jeong In-ji, the patrol officer of the three provinces Chungcheong, Jeolla, Gyeongsang, who was impressed by the beautiful scenery, renamed it 'Gwanghallu' after the mythic 'Gwanghancheongheobu' in the Moon Palace where the moon fairy Hang-a lives. Gwanghan means 'Moon Palace.' Chunhyang and Lee Mongryong first met and fell in love here. Plaques reading Honamjeilnu, Gyegwan, and Gwanghallu hang on the pavilion's front and back. Honamjeilnu means 'the best pavilion in Honam.' Gwanghan and Cheongheobu symbolize the mythical legend of Gwanghan Cheongheoji-bu in the Moon Palace of the heavens. Gyegwan represents the cinnamon tree shrine in the moon. The Gwanghallu plaque was written by Shin Ik-seong, and the Honamjeilnu and Gyegwan plaques were inscribed by Namwon magistrate Lee Sang-eok in 1855 during repairs. The Gyegwan plaque was replaced in the 1930s by local leader Kang Dae-hyung after being lost during the Donghak Peasant Revolution. The current Gwanghallu plaque was written by Jo Jeong-hoon from the National Assembly, who also wrote plaques for Geumsujeong of Geumambong and Yongseonggwan. In 1879, as Gwanghallu began tilting north, a multi-tiered stairway called Wollang was constructed on the north side to prevent collapse. In 1877, magistrate Lee Yong-jun, concerned about the entire pavilion leaning north and risking collapse, approved master carpenter Chu's idea to build stairs fixed firmly with large pillars, correcting the tilt and enhancing the exterior. This is significant in pavilion architecture as the first use of Wollang, where previously only ladders were installed to access the upper floors.
Chunhyang Shrine was built in 1931 to honor Chunhyang's unwavering loyalty to her love. It is located east of Gwanghallu, within a bamboo forest symbolizing integrity. At the center of the shrine hangs a plaque reading 'Yeolnyeo Chunhyangsa,' and inside is enshrined a portrait of Chunhyang. Visitors commonly pray here believing it will result in a lifelong happy marriage. The original portrait was donated by Kang Jusu from Jinju, and in autumn 1939, a portrait by Lee Dang Kim Eunho was also enshrined side by side; however, these were damaged during the Korean War, and since 1961, the portrait by Lee Dang Kim Eunho remains enshrined. Chunhyang Shrine was established during Japanese colonial rule by local leaders of Namwon together with gisaeng from the Kwonbeon to promote national consciousness and carry on Chunhyang's integrity through rituals. The Chunhyang Festival is grandly held every year on May 5.
