Where to Go After the Holiday Meal... Chuseok Autumn Trips to Jeonnam and Gwangju

From the Island Expo and Biennale to Forest Walks
Ten Outings Recommended by the Integrated Special City

After the holiday meal, families head out together, a rare chance to gather in one place. While children eagerly await new experiences, parents look for places where they can walk leisurely and have conversations. From expos that showcase island cultures to alleys reminiscent of days gone by, Jeonnam Gwangju offers a variety of destinations to suit every family's preferences. The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City has recommended ten destinations where you can enjoy the autumn scenery and cultural experiences during the Chuseok holiday.

Encounter Islands Around the World and Unwind at Art Museums

In Yeosu, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo welcomes travelers. Visitors can explore the natural beauty, culture, and future technologies of islands worldwide by following the themed exhibition halls, such as the Main Theme Island, Ocean Ecology Island, Culture Island, Future Island, and Treasure Island. Enjoying performances and hands-on activities in between exhibitions will enrich the family outing even further.

From the 24th to the 26th, special events including the Island Performing Arts Festival, Island Friends Day, traditional and contemporary dance performances, and graffiti art experiences will take place. If you want to see Yeosu from the sea, consider taking a yacht tour. Holders of the Island Expo admission ticket can participate at a 50% discount.

Gwangju Biennale panoramic view. Provided by Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City

Buk-gu in Gwangju will host the 16th Gwangju Biennale. This year's theme is 'You Must Change Your Life.' Take the opportunity to slow down in front of works by artists from Korea and overseas and share your impressions as a family.

If the artworks feel challenging, you can take advantage of the free docent program, which offers guided tours with explanations about the works and artists. These tours will run as usual even during the Chuseok break, making it easy to explore alongside other cultural and tourist attractions in downtown Gwangju.

From Forest Paths to Riverside Views: Savoring Autumn Slowly

Baegyangsa Temple in Jangseong is a destination where you can walk through both forest and temple grounds. A quiet temple landscape unfolds as you take the lush forest path of Naejangsan National Park. Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, it's more fitting to observe the changing season at the family's pace. Admission and parking are both free.

At Suncheonman National Garden and Suncheonman Wetland, families can explore gardens and ecological landscapes. You can stroll through gardens filled with diverse plant life and observe nature up close. From the 24th to the 27th, the 'Chuseok in the Garden' event will offer fusion traditional Korean music performances, traditional games, and hands-on traditional cultural experiences.

Seochang Emotional Observatory. Provided by Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam-do

If you want to see the sunset, head to Seochang Emotional Observatory in Seo-gu, Gwangju. It offers panoramic views of the wide Yeongsan River and its silver grass fields. Take a walk along the deck trail connected to the observatory, and as the evening light spreads over the river, you can end your day on a tranquil note.

The Modern Alleys of Mokpo and Cultural Excursions in Gwangju

In Mokpo's Old Town, walk along paths that recount the city’s history. Inside Exhibition Hall 1 of the Mokpo Modern History Museum—housed in the old Japanese Consulate building—you can explore Mokpo's journey from port opening to the modern era, and see the daily life of the times across seven themed exhibition rooms.

The location is also known as a filming site for the drama 'Hotel Del Luna,' making it especially interesting for families who watched the show. It's just a ten-minute walk from Nojeokbong in Yudalsan, so you can easily tour the Old Town's modern historical and cultural spaces together.

Inside Exhibition Hall 1 of Mokpo Modern History Museum. Provided by Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City

The National Asia Culture Center in Dong-gu, Gwangju, is the perfect place for a cultural outing with children. Over the Chuseok holiday, the '2026 Children's Cultural Center Chuseok Full Moon Asia Festival' will be held, with games, experiences, and live performances that bring the festive atmosphere to life. After exploring the National Asia Culture Center, your city adventure can continue by visiting nearby attractions in Chungjang-ro and Dongmyeong-dong, where you can enjoy both local food and sightseeing.

Relax by the Wando Sea, Cross Uldolmok in Haenam

At the Wando Marine Healing Center, a variety of programs utilize the sea’s natural resources. You can experience marine wellness programs featuring seawater, seaweed, and mud.

From the 24th to the 27th, free family activities will be offered, such as making songpyeon (traditional rice cakes for Chuseok), photo events, traditional games, and caricature drawings. Families can share the joy of the holiday by making songpyeon and playing traditional games together.

At the Usuyeong Tourist Site in Haenam, you'll find Uldolmok, the site of Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s historic Battle of Myeongnyang. After learning about this history at the Myeongnyang Battle Memorial Exhibition Hall, you can enjoy the surroundings from the Uldolmok Skywalk and Myeongnyang Marine Cable Car.

During the SNS verification event from the 24th to the 27th, the first 160 families to verify their visit to the Usuyeong Tourist Site will receive one general admission ticket per family for the Myeongnyang Marine Cable Car. Tickets can be collected at the Usuyeong Team Office.

Memories for Parents, New Alleys for Children

At the Suncheon Drama Set, the family's story becomes your travel guide. As you walk through spaces recreating alleys and buildings from the 1960s to the 1980s, the scenery familiar to parents becomes a whole new experience for children.

Suncheonman Wetland. Provided by Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeonnam

From the 24th to the 27th, the 'Memories Music Album' Chuseok concert will be held. Touring the old alleys while listening to music provides a perfect setting for parents to share childhood stories—a memorable highlight for families on their holiday outing.

Choi Youngjoo, Director of Tourism at Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, stated, "Various events and hands-on activities for hometown visitors and tourists will be held across the Integrated Special City during the Chuseok holiday. We hope everyone will enjoy the abundant beauty of Jeonnam Gwangju in autumn and have a happy and fulfilling Chuseok holiday with family and friends."

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