Gwangyang City to Open 'Panorama Walk'... New Landmark Shines in the 'City of Light and Steel'

27 Meters High, 300-Meter Walking Ramp, and 360-Degree Panoramic View
Unveiling on October 8, One-Month Advance Reservation Trial Operation Begins October 9

Gwangyang City, in the Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Metropolitan City, announced that it will hold the unveiling ceremony of the Panorama Walk on October 8, and begin a one-month trial operation from October 9 to November 8.

The Panorama Walk is an experiential observation landmark constructed at the summit of Gubongsan Mountain, 473 meters above sea level, where an old beacon mound once stood. This symbolic tourist attraction brings together Gwangyang’s industry and nature, light and landscape, into a unified space.

Gwangyang Panorama Walk, scheduled to open in October. Provided by Gwangyang City

Designed under the theme “City of Light and Steel, Gwangyang,” this installation consists of a 27-meter-tall silver spiral structure and a walking ramp approximately 300 meters long. The elegant curves, soaring skyward, embody the strength of steel and the dynamic energy of light—both symbols of Gwangyang—expressed through contemporary sculptural language. Harmonized with the summit of Gubongsan overlooking Gwangyang Bay, it creates a unique and creative landscape.

The structure incorporates highly durable stainless steel resistant to coastal environments, as well as a steel frame with seismic resistance to ensure safety and longevity. An inclined elevator has also been installed to enhance accessibility for visitors.

Visitors ascending toward the summit experience the forest, sky, and scenery of Gwangyang Bay from various heights and angles. At the top, a grand 360-degree panoramic view unfolds, encompassing Gwangyang Bay, Yi Sun-sin Bridge, POSCO’s Gwangyang Steel Mill, the estuary of the Seomjin River, the ridges of Baegunsan Mountain, and even the southern seas dotted with islands.

During the day, visitors enjoy unobstructed vistas; at sunset, the bay is bathed in golden hues; and at night, Gwangyang Bay presents one of South Korea’s most iconic night views, with each time of day offering a distinct charm.

Designed by Spanish architect Manuel Monteserin, the Panorama Walk stands as a symbol of Gwangyang’s urban identity and is expected to serve as a new tourism hub, linking the Baegunsan and Seomjin River regions and acting as the central node in the city’s tourism network.

The Panorama Walk is free of charge, and operating hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For safety reasons, advance reservations are required and the number of visitors is limited to 200 per hour.

During the trial period, Gwangyang City plans to inspect the operational and safety management systems, gather visitor feedback, and reflect these insights in the full-scale operation going forward.

Gwangyang Mayor Park Sunghyun stated, “The Panorama Walk is the fruit of mutually beneficial cooperation between Gwangyang—which aspires to be South Korea’s industrial capital—and POSCO, a company that embodies the value of coexistence. It is a symbolic space that realizes the identity of Gwangyang Bay, where industry, nature, sea, and city coexist, through architectural imagination.”

He added, “I hope the towering Panorama Walk on Gubongsan Mountain will instill pride in our citizens and provide tourists with a compelling reason to visit Gwangyang, establishing itself as an appealing landmark. By offering a special experience that weaves together Gwangyang’s natural, industrial, and urban futures, we will nurture it as a tourist destination that attracts visitors from Korea and around the world.”

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