Geumsoojang Tourist Hotel

Re: gwangju -weekend

by Hooglyboo

it would really depend on which Gwangju you're going to visit . . .I'm assuming you mean the one in Jolla-do, but there's also one in Gyeonggi-do. Interesting, I've never heard either of them refered to as a big "cultural" spot . . .
If it's the Gwangju in Gyeonggi, then perhaps a visit to the House of Sharing would be illuminating. It's a place where many former "Comfort Women" reside and tell their stories. (Background: During World War II the Japanese "recruited" women from Korea and other parts of Asia to serve as sex slaves.) This is an issue very close to the hearts of Koreans, and while not exactly a "happy" thing to do, it's very affecting.
The Jolla-do Gwangju is one of the biggest cities in Korea, and was the heart of the pro-democracy movement in Korea. There's a large "festival" every May 18th in memory of a government crackdown that killed several hundred (the exact number is hotly disputed) demonstrators. Try also to visit the Minju Cemetery on the edge of town.