After visiting Daeheungsa Temple (대흥사), I made my way to Gwangju and wandered around Yangnim-dong/Yangrim-dong, the area near Penguin Village on the south east part of town. This was still day 3 of a four-day trip to Haenam and Gwangju.

Milling around Yangnim-dong

The plan was to stay the night for an early start on Mudeungsan Mountain, so I’d just relax and prepare this day. Once getting to the station from Mokpo, I got straight onto the subway into the south east part of town and went on the hunt for hiking food supplies. I was in the Asia Culture Center (ACC 국립아시아문화전당) area. I walked around there for a bit, got my sandwiches, then walked to my hotel. No link for this hotel as it was pretty grimy unfortunately. Also, weird fan or motor noises all through the hotel so I needed earplugs to get to sleep. I won’t be going back! Later, I walked around Penguin Village and the surrounding roads. It seems like this is a fun place to hang out on dates and with friends; lots of restaurants. I got a coffee at Ambrosia (암브로시아), then walked to Gwangju Sajik Park (광주사직공원전망타워) to go up the tower. There were nice views and the sun was setting at this point. I could see Mudeungsan in the distance, tomorrow’s destination!

Next was deciding on dinner. I wandered around looking at my phone and finally decided on pizza and beer at Hustle Pizza (허슬피자). You could eat in the outside area at the back, or have a sit-down meal in the attached restaurant upstairs Testa (테스타). The pizza was huge! Pretty tasty BUT could have done without the orange slices hidden amongst the rucola… Unfortunately, the beer wasn’t to my liking.

Then I walked past the actual Penguin Village. It was all closed at this point, and seems to be a collection of kitschy stores, boutiques, and cafes. Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the next day, and a pretty naff sleep!

Places visited this Gwangju trip

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