You can be welcomed by the generous salespeople at local markets. Daein Market, in Daein-dong close to Geumnamno, has represented local markets of Gwangju. It sells fresh fish and vegetables delivered from their production areas. Especially, you can be satiated with delicious sushi at a low price. Nam Gwangju Market is close to downtown and one of the biggest marine product markets in Gwangju. It sells fresh seafood delivered from nearby areas. On the other side, Yangdong Market is located in the Dolgogae area next to Geumnamno o-ga (5th street), It is loved by many people who prepare for feasts or weddings although department stores and huge discount stores have aggressively and continuously attracted its customers.
Local Open Market - Songjeong Market
The west region of the Jeollanamdo Province was famous for cattle markets a long time ago. Songjeong market still cherishes its abundant memory of old cattle markets, which is not easy to find in other shops. You can meet a grandma with a warm smile selling only a few kinds of vegetables and a middle-aged man shouting his low price on lettuce. Songjeong market opening every five days is planned to be furnished with modern facilities in the near future while still keeping its old traditions.
- Yeong-gwangtong Intersection in Songjeong-dong
- open every 3rd and 8th days of the month
Chunggeum Underground Shopping Center
128 shops surround the underground passage from Geumnamno sa-ga (the old Bank of Korea site) to Chungjangno sam-ga (Chungjang Police Station). Here you can buy various clothing, from baby ware to women garments, shoes, cosmetics, jewelry and carrier bags at low prices. This shopping center also has convenient facilities for the physically or mentally challenged and a customer service centre for exchanges. You can enjoy pleasant shopping even on rainy days. TEL 062-224-0591
Street of shops dealing in inexpensive goods
The intersection area in front of the old City Hall always offers the latest fashion style to the young. Some 30 shops sell goods and attract a lot of young people who are eager to follow the trend. These shops deals in various garments such as formal dresses, casual wear, and bulky clothes. The prices of clothing here is much cheaper than those of famous brands; for example, you can buy a jacket at the price of 40,000~60,000 won (about 40~60 dollars), a pair of trousers at 30,000~3,5000 won (about 30~35 dollars), and a skirt at 25,000~30,000 won (about 25~30 dollars).
Geumnam Underground Shopping Center with an Open Square for Teenagers
The open square of Geumnam Underground Shopping Center is a popular place for meetings, esp. for teenagers.
Kumho World, Specializing in Electric Appliances
Kumho World is located behind Shinsegae Department Store. It has a spacious parking lot with a capacity of 538 cars and vast sales floors in the area of 13 acres. It is the biggest store in the southwestern region dealing in electric appliances, computer equipment, and articles for marriage. TEL 062-350-8114
- Location : next to the Shinsegae Department Store in Gwangcheon-dong
- Facilities : in the first basement, restaurant / on the 1st~3rd, electric appliances, electronic
equipment, acoustic apparatus and communication equipment / on the 4th, computer equipment, OA equipment / on the 6th, articles for marriage and livingwares / on the 7th, furniture - http://ikumhoworld.co.kr
Lotte Department Store
The Gwangju branch of the Lotte Department Store opened in 1998 as the biggest store in the region. It stocks various items from clothing to household necessities. - Facilities : a building with five stories below and nine above ground (at 1st basement level, food department : from the 1st level to the 8th level above the ground, departments of fashion accessories and cosmetics, clothes for ladies, gentlemen, juniors and babies, and electric home appliances and furniture as well as a cultural and educational center at highest level with additional restaurants and theaters)
- Opening : 10:30 a.m.~ 20:00 p.m, (weekends, 20:30 p.m.)
- closed at 2nd and 4th Monday
- http://www.dpt.lotteshopping.com/
Hyundai Department Store
The Hyundai Depart-ment Store pursues an elegant shopping environment. Its customers are able to look around at a large collection of products of famous foreign brands in a luxurious and quiet atmosphere.
- Facilities : a building with five stories below and eleven above ground (at 1st basement level, food department : from the 1st level to the 8th level above the ground, departments of clothes for ladies and children, dresses of famous foreign brands, and fashion accessories and cosmetics : at 9th level, restaurants : at highest level, swimming pool)
- Opening : 10:30 a.m.~20:00 p.m. (weekends, 20:30 p.m.)
- no fixed closing days
- http://www.ehyundai.com/
Shinsegae Department Store
It is conveniently located next to Gwangju Bus Terminal in Gwangcheon-dong and deals in goods whose prices range widely. Especially, the foods department in the first basement offers a variety of foods even palatable to fastidious epicures.
- Location : next to Gwangju Bus Terminal in
Gwangcheon-dong, Seo-gu TEl 062-360-1234
- Facilities : citizenssquare on the 1st floor / fashion accessaries on the 2nd / young wave on the 3rd / missy trends (imported brandes) on the 4th / boutiques, golf wares, Korean dresses, fur coats on the 5th / men wares and sporting goods on the 6th / children wares, kitchenwares and livingwares on the 7th / culture and art center and restaurants on the 8th
- http://www.gjshinsegae.co.kr/
Gwangju Cultural Tourism Products Display Place
The Gwangju Cultural Tourism Products Display Place is located at Gung-dong Art Street. There are displaying pottery, lacquer ware, Fibers, Metal craftworks, various life goods and Art products with modern interior system. The 1st floor is Art shop and the 2nd floor is design & displaying system. The Art shop displays White pottery, which is made by traditional method. And also, handmade pottery for convenient life. There are also displaying Natural dyed Necktie, Scarf Set, Art products of Metal, Glass, Wood, Lacquer, Tablet, Flower vase, Watch, Name card case and Art relation books. The original print is displayed for Art collector. A special display is held every month on the 2nd floor for developing the Local Cultural Tourism Product Artist. And also, It is introducing the Gwangju's tourism products through displaying and sale in this place. TEL 062-225-5533
- Open : a.m. 10:00~p.m.7:30(No Holiday)
Gwangju Art Products · Souvenir Displaying & Sale Place
Mt. Mudeung Watermelon
These delicious watermelons were presented to kings in ancient Korean dynasties. They are nicknamed Purangi and have a thick peel good for a long freshness. Their average weight is 4~5 kg(about 11~13 lb.), but the biggest ones weigh up to 30 Kg (about 80 lb.) They have a unique smell and taste because they grow in soil fertilized by fallen leaves at mid-slope of Mt. Mudeung. They are distinguished from other watermelons because they have no stripes atir peels and seeds in which only the embryo is exclusively black. It was recently reported that Mt. Mudeung Watermelons have a medically effective ingredient to reduce cancer cells in half. (Sales period : mid August~mid October) TEL 062-266-8565
Chunseol Tea
Green tea has a mild fragrance and a clean aftertaste like an old friend. It is usually given a nickname according to its production area. Meanwhile, Jakseol tea is named because its leaves look like the tongue of a sparrow. Chunseol tea was cultivated by national leader, Uijae. It is made through a long and difficult process: the first leaves of the green tea are collected at the foot of Mt. Mudeung and then roasted and rubbed more than eight times. It is designated as special product of Gwangju No. 1. You can buy Chunseol tea at Chunseoldaheon and Jakseol tea and Garu tea at Hanguk Jeda. Chunseol tea : Uijae Museum TEL 062-222-2034~5
A hereditary masterpiece craft - Jindari paint brush for four generations
Many people consider the Jindari paint brush to be the best product of Gwangju. Jindari is the old name of Baekun-dong where original craftsman of this paint brush lived. The 4th master of Jong-seon An was designated as regional human cultural asset N0.4 and makes top-quality paint brushes with weasel hair and wool. All calligraphers pick these brushes for their own art. TEL 062-225-1783
On the street of Art, from the Dongbu Police Station to Jungangno street, old traditions of the city of art are coming to life again. There are some 70 art spaces like galleries, art studios, and little theaters, and they hold various exhibitions and performances throughout the year. The street displays the artistic talents and elegance of Gwangju and thus is one of the most popular destinations for visitors from other cities or countries.
Diverse Art Events
The street of art becomes an exhilarated ar-free streetevery Saturday. Once a month, the Namdo Culture and Art Foundation hosts concerts, festivals, performances, and exhibitions of artistic and cultural goods to liven up the area particularity.
[ Take a break! - Ant Market(Flea Market) ]
Ant Market is a unique market only dealing in such things Korean as calligraphy paintings, folk paintings, old books, ancient coins, frames of rice cakes, hairpins, brass plates, antique accessories, containers for ink slab water, and wooden works. A group of small curios are put at market waiting for their new owner. You can easily meet scholars looking for precious books or parents wanting their children to look at antiques. It opens every morning up to 6 p.m. on Saturdays except in severe weather.
Shopping Break
Daein, Namgwangju and Yangdong Market
