From the Gwangju Biennale to the Yeosu Islands Expo... Jeonnam Gwangju Aims to Attract 3 Million Tourists

Accommodation Discounts and Circulation Buses Promote Longer Stays
One-Night, Two-Day Tour Packages and Namdo Hanbaqui for Both Events
Expanded Historical and Art Experiences Through Yanglim-dong Walking and Theater Tours
Tourism Products Linked with North Jeolla and Launch of Gwangju Gastronomy Week

An initiative is underway to link the Gwangju Biennale and the Yeosu World Islands Expo, which both open on the same day, into a single tourism zone. Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City is aiming to attract 3 million visitors by promoting stay-type tourism products that encompass accommodations, transportation, art, history, and gastronomy.

The 16th Gwangju Biennale will be held from September 5 to November 15, and the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo will take place from September 5 to November 4.

Promotional image of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo. Provided by Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City

Reducing Accommodation Costs and Operating Event Shuttle Buses

The Integrated Special City will conduct accommodation discount events in October in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Travel Month in the Second Half of 2026" campaign. The purpose is to lessen the burden of accommodation costs so that visitors to the event venues will stay in the region for at least one night.

The official social media channel for Jeonnam Gwangju culture and tourism, "Visit Jeonnam Gwangju," will hold a photo verification event from September to October featuring major tourist destinations such as the Gwangju Biennale and the Yeosu World Islands Expo. Participants will be selected by lottery to receive mobile coupons and more.

Poster of the 16th Gwangju Biennale. Courtesy of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City

In Gwangju, from September 3 to November 14, the "Pavilion Circulation Bus" will operate 2 to 11 times daily, connecting the Gwangju Biennale exhibition hall, the Asia Culture Center (ACC), and Yanglim-dong. Those with Gwangju Biennale admission tickets may use the bus without limit on the day of their visit.

The regional tourism bus "Namdo Hanbaqui" will also run a special course 12 times in September and October, linking the two international events with nearby tourist destinations, food, and experience venues.

From the Biennale to the Islands Expo... One-Night, Two-Day Packages Available

The Integrated Special City will introduce stay-type travel packages that link the Gwangju Biennale and the Yeosu World Islands Expo with nearby tourism resources.

During October, as part of the jointly-organized "Honam Tourism and Culture Week" with North Jeolla Province, nine Honam-area regional tourism products will be offered. These will include themed trips such as art tours, which combine art-fair visits and art-humanities commentary, and wellness tourism packages.

Working with domestic travel agencies, one-night, two-day group tour products that link the two international events will also be available. A package combining a Yanglim-dong village tour, the Biennale's Yanglim Pavilion exhibition, and the Yeosu World Islands Expo will be launched through a travel agency contest, with release scheduled for September 18.

Yanglim-dong Art Tour Following Modern Alleyways

A scene from the 'Yangnim Indie' performance held in a traditional Korean house garden in Yangnim-dong, Gwangju. Provided by Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City

In Yanglim-dong, Gwangju, an experiential program will be offered for visitors to explore modern history and art together.

The "Art Walking Tour," which spans ten Biennale pavilions including Lee Jangwoo's House, Lee Kangha Art Museum, Woilson Missionary House, and Lee Lee-nam Studio, will run every Friday and Saturday from September 18 to November 14 with professional guides.

A theater-style tour recreating 1930s Yanglim-dong will begin in October. Local exhibition and cultural spaces in Yanglim-dong will also host the "Yanglim Indie" performances by indie musicians.

Gwangju Gastronomy Week: Seasonal Local Delicacies in the South

Yangdong Tongmaek Festival held at Yangdong Market in Seo-gu, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City. Courtesy of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City

Gwangju Gastronomy Week will be held for ten days from October 2 to October 11.

Seasonal South Jeolla cuisine made from local ingredients, as well as gourmet trips from farm to table, will be offered. Over 50 Gwangju restaurants selected by Blue Ribbon will participate in discount events, and a sustainable gastronomy workshop called "Vegan Gourmet Team" hosted by local activists will also take place.

Sunja Kim, Director of the New Vitality Promotion Headquarters at the Integrated Special City, said, "The Gwangju Biennale and the Yeosu World Islands Expo are opportunities to showcase the appeal of Jeonnam Gwangju to the world. We have prepared a variety of accommodation, transportation, experiential, and cultural arts programs to encourage tourists to stay longer in the region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.