Jeonnam-Gwangju · South Korea
Gwangyang travel guide
Gwangyang is a city in Jeonnam-Gwangju, South Korea, home to about 152,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- RSU13 km · Yeosu Airport
- Currency
- KRWwon
- Time zone
- Asia/Seoul
- Language
- Korean, Korean Sign Language
About
About Gwangyang
Gwangyang is defined by an intriguing contrast between massive high-tech industry and pristine natural landscapes. The city is globally recognized for POSCO's Gwangyang Steel Works, the largest single steel-producing facility in the world. Built on reclaimed land in the bay, the massive plant drives much of the local economy. While historically characterized as an industrial hub, the city has actively diversified into cultural tourism.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Gwangyang
See
- Jeonnam Museum of Art (전남도립미술관)
- Gubongsan Mountain Observatory (구봉산전망대)
- Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest (백운산 자연휴양림)
Do
- Gwangyang Maehwa Festival (광양매화축제)
- Gwangyang Traditional Charcoal Bulgogi Festival (광양전통숯불구이축제)
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Gwangyang to stay in
Most business hotels, motels, and international accommodation options are clustered in **Jungma-dong (Donggwangyang)**, near the city center and port facilities.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Gwangyang
1 hotel within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Gwangyang Lacky Hotel | 1.9 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Gwangyang
Gwangyang has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 30 °C; August is the wettest, with about 336 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Gwangyang: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Yeosu Airport (RSU), about 13 km from the city centre in a straight line; Sacheon Airport / Sacheon Air Base (HIN, 38 km) and Gwangju Airport (KWJ, 84 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
Gwangyang is well-linked by express and intercity buses from major cities. Regular buses run from Seoul’s Central City Bus Terminal (3-hr-40-min to 4-hr journey; fares from ₩34,700 to ₩45,100) and from Busan. Seat classes vary from standard to deluxe/premium, offering luggage-friendly and comfortable travel.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
RSU · Yeosu Airport
HIN · Sacheon Airport / Sacheon Air Base
KWJ · Gwangju Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Gwangyang
Eat
Gwangyang is famous throughout Korea for its distinctive style of **Gwangyang Bulgogi** (광양불고기) — thinly-sliced beef marinated right before grilling over copper-wire mesh on oak charcoal.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Gwangyang: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Gwangyang?
Gwangyang has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 30 °C; August is the wettest, with about 336 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Gwangyang?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Yeosu Airport (RSU), about 13 km from the city centre in a straight line; Sacheon Airport / Sacheon Air Base (HIN, 38 km) and Gwangju Airport (KWJ, 84 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Gwangyang?
won (KRW).
Nearby
Destinations near Gwangyang
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.