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wheresanne · 6 years

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The Ultimate Guide to Naju: 50 Places to Visit in Naju in South Jeolla

Where's Naju?

Naju (나주시) is a small populated "city" in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. The capital of South Jeolla was located at Naju until it was moved to Gwangju in 1895. The name Jeolla (전라) actually originates from the first character of Jeonju (전주) and the first character of Naju (나주).

Despite being a relatively small, remote city, Naju offers quite a bit to the dedicated tourist or to the expat who happens to find Naju home.

Cool history: In 1986, the governmental name changed into modified from Geumseong to Naju. In 1995, Naju city became extended to include Naju county.

What's Naju famous for?

If you watch k-dramas or visit Seoul in South Korea, you may see "나주 곰탕" Naju gom-tang soup restaurants or hear about the delicious "나주 배" Naju pears.

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Naju is a city with history and modern culture.

"Its beauty comes from the harmony of history and modern culture within. The spiritual healing offered by Naju comes from this harmony."

Naju has plenty of rice fields and pear farms on the outskirts of the new "Naju Innocity Bitgaram" which is located in the eastern section of the Naju province. As of 2018, there are 12 Korea public service companies and business workers in Bitgaram, the Naju Innocity.

Here are 50 activities, cultural museums, delicious restaurants, cool cafes, and other places you should visit in Naju, South Korea.

https://www.pinterest.co.kr/pin/839428818029410479

Naju Travel (나주 여행)

There are mostly four sections of Naju: north, south, east, west.

1 - Naju Innocity / Bitgaram (빛가람동)

Naju has a new inno-city called Bitgaram (빛가람동) which became an Innovative City and the outlet ceremony for metropolis construction started on November 8, 2007. Former President Roh participated within the beginning activities. As the town received the name of "Innovative City", several Korean public companies of work transferred from Seoul, to the Naju area. Naju's creation changed into 4th began after Jeju, Gimcheon, and Jinju. Upon entering Bitgaram city, you'll immediately see some tall buildings of the companies: KEPCO, Knowledge Information Service Center, Korea Information Security Agency, Radio Research Laboratory, Korea Radio Station Management Agency, Program Deliberation & Mediation Committee.

2 - Lake Park (빛가람 호수공원)

A quite large park with both bicycle and walk paths all around the Innocity lake. Water fountain and light show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays. And live busking music performances are scheduled on Wednesday evenings. Sometimes you’ll find other planned events, sponsored by KEPCO, KDN, Korea Council of Arts, or other companies, for families or couples to enjoy in Lake Park.

Also a bridge connects for walkers to hike up to the Bitgaram landmark observatory, or have picnics under the trees.

Address: Jeollanam-do, Naju-si, 호수 로 77

3 - Bitgaram Observatory

The Bitgaram Observatory looks like an alien ship! The facilities for the observatory include an exhibition hall, restaurant, Hole Cafe, gallery and parking lots.You can ride the Monorail for 1,000won to the top of the observatory for a view of the Bitgaram city.

https://www.pinterest.co.kr/pin/839428818029410302

4 - Business Hotels

Some of these business hotels have excellent gyms or delicious restaurants! Or behind them, is the main Bitgaram road with a Daiso, Burger King, Hyundai and Kia car dealership, Dunkin' Donuts, Paris Baguette, Tous Les Jours, Lotteria, Gongcha, Twosome Place, Tom n Toms, etc.

5 - Restaurants Street on Sangya 2-gil, Naju-si

This is a great area with a lot of restaurants.

6 - Starbucks or Drop Top cafes on Sangya 2-gil, Naju-si

7 - Go naked in jjimjilbang spa.

There’s a Eco Sejong for a family spa, across from the Starbucks, or a few jjimjibang spas for women-only or for business workers.

8 - VR Rooms

9 - Father's Bagel for a good New-York-style bagel

10 - Arcade/Singing Rooms

11 - PC Rooms

12 - KEPCO botanical garden and lotus flower reservoir pond

Go see the tallest building in Bitgaram and Naju. Even from the two bridges and rural parts of Naju, you can see the KEPCO building.

13 - CGV movie cinema building

There’s a CGV movie theater, arcade room, bows and arrows, lots of Vietnamese restaurants, a dog cafe, Pizza Etang, New York Bread, boutiques, and other places you should visit.

http://bitgaram-sclass1.com/surroundingInfo/page.apt?codeSeq=68

14 - "No Brand" supermarket

15 - Chinese restaurants

16 - More Business Hotels with great buffet restaurants

17 - Virtual Golf Rooms

18 - Olive Young, other beauty stores, NH Bank, Office Depot, a pillow and blankets store

19 - Golf Course on Lake Park

20 - Library

21 - Innocity bus terminal

22 - Bowling Alley

23 - Cute coffee shops in Innocity:

Some of my absolute favorite cafes in Bitgaram city include,

Cafe 115 (54, Hosu-ro, Naju-si)

Father's Bagel

Bucket114 Cafe (Fancy and good macaroons)

감성커피 Gamseong Cafe (16, Sangya 2-gil, Naju-si)

Double U Cafe (72, Ujeong-ro, Naju-si)

5BLOCK Cafe (Delicious bread and desserts) (19-3, Baemet 3-gil, Naju-si)

RUSTIC Cafe (23-20, Domin-gil, Naju-si)

Cafe Innovation (165, Ujeong-ro, Naju-si)

Things to do in Naju, old Naju and history.

Metasequoia-Tree Road (나주 산림자원연구소)

Many visitors and Koreans know about the famous Nami Island Metasequoia Tree Lane; however, there’s actually a similar one here in Naju!! It’s a botanical garden and research institute, so you can see a wide variety of trees, flowers, and other plants. There’s also some benches and large grass area for picnics!

I love this photo and need it http://koreatourinformation.com/blog/2015/05/01/naju-hometown-of-historic-figures/

Address: 산23 Sanje-ri, Sanpo-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do

Old Nampyeong Station.

Address:

Geumseongsan Mountain

Geumseongsan Mountain is a relatively low mountain with its peak at 450m above sea level; however, it is the tallest mountain in Naju.

Address: Gyeonghyeon-dong, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea

http://www.naju.go.kr/tour/html/sub02/0204.html

Naju Station

Naju Station on the Honam Line is a busy station, servicing 29 KTX and 18 SRT trains every day. The line between Naju and Mokpo Stations is also being expanded to include Muan International Airport from October 31. While the current Naju Station is quite nice, the old Naju Station is worth a visit due to its historical importance; the former station was the starting point for the Gwangju Student Independence Movement.

https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=2599155

Learn the Significance of Old Naju Station - It’s now the Gwangju Student Movement Memorial Hall

At Old Naju Station, you can learn more about the Korean students of Gwangju and Jeonnam resisted the oppression of the Japanese imperialists. It sparked with the incident of the Korean girl being harassed at Naju Station on October 30, 1929 and an anti-Japanese protest was staged on November 3. However, this small movement spread into a nation-wide Anti-Japanese and is also significant to Gwangju’s history too.

https://www.pinterest.co.kr/pin/839428818029410598

Understand History of the Statue of Peace Woman Statue (평화의 소녀상)

The Statue of Peace, also often called Sonyeosang in Korean pronunciation, is a symbol of the victims of sexual slavery, known as comfort women, by the Korean military during Vietnam War and the Japanese imperial military during World War II.

Address: 20 Jukrim-gil, Geumnam-dong, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do

Visit Naju’s best palace site, Geumseonggwan Hall (금성관)

The top attractions of Naju are Geumseonggwan Hall, a guesthouse operated by the Naju Government Office for visiting officials during the Goryeo and Joseon periods, and Geumhakheon House, a reconstruction of the private residence of the Naju Moksa (highest government official in the region).

I recommend starting at Geumseonggwan Hall for a history tour and then enjoying the peaceful five-minute walk to Geumhakheon House. You’ll be able to find the residence when you spot a grand hackberry tree towering over all the other trees. There are also many cherry blossom trees in the area, making it a popular attraction in spring. Unlike Geumseonggwan Hall, guests can actually spend the night at Geumhakheon House. Book a night here to feel like a traveling dignitary from the Joseon dynasty!

Address: 109-5 Gwawon-dong, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do 전라남도 나주 금성관길 8 (우) 58257 Recommended food: Naju gomtang

Eat Gomtang Soup on Gomtang Street (near Geumseonggwan Hall)

Naju is also famous for gomtang (beef bone soup). What makes Naju’s version of gomtang so special is their use of plate and shank cuts of beef for the flavoring of the broth instead of the standard beef bones used in other regions. It has also remained true to its original recipe throughout the years, drawing people back again and again. The area around Geumseonggwan Hall and Geumhakheon House is filled with gomtang restaurants, making it an easy choice when visiting!

Address: Area of Geumgye-dong, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 나주시 금계동)

Then eat gomtang soup at the famous restaurants and/or visit this cafe.

Among them is the ginkgo tree grown on the grounds of the Naju hyanggyo, a Confucian academy. It’s said to have been planted by King Taejo himself. 나주 학생독립운동 기념관Address: 전라남도 나주 죽림길 26 (우) 58260 Yeongsan area: East of the city center is the Yeongsan River (영산강) which flows southward through the city, then west out towards Mokpo.

Ride a traditional Korean boat, a Dotpae (돛배), on the Yeongsan River.

To do this, you need to go out to the Yeongsan-Po District. The boat is located across the street from Skate Street. You get a ticket - free for Naju residents and maybe 3,000won for non-residents - and you get to go on a 10 minute boat ride a good ways up the Yeongsan River. The boat ride offers exceptional views of the Naju countryside, and occasionally, they have musicians on the boat who play traditional "river boat" music. It can be quite a nice time.

Also quickly visit the Yeongsangpo Museum for free admission.

Yeongsanpo Skate Festival (영산포 홍어축제)

Some history myths: The myth says that Arangsa and Abisa fell in love with each other in the vicinity of the Yeongsangang River during Korea’s Three Kingdoms Period (57 B.C.-A.D. 668). In jealousy, young villagers threw Abisa into the river, but she was brought to life in the form of a giant snake. Alas, then both of them fell into the river near the Angam Rock (pictured). This area is known for its rapid currents which have overturned numerous riverboats.

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See the Yeongsangpo Boat & In-Land Lighthouse

Smell the Skate Fish on Skate Street in Yeongsanpo

Or eat Eel Fish

Visit this cafe Breeze for a view of the Yeongsanpo River.

Across the street of this cafe Breeze, you’ll see an old movie theater and the Yeongsan Church.

Japanese Teahouse & Yeongsang Church & Yeongsan Bus Terminal

Daeungjeon Hall of Dabosa Temple

Address: 주소83, Geumseongsan-gil, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea

http://www.naju.go.kr/tour/html/sub02/0204.html?mode=V&mng_no=802

Naju Image Theme Park (영상테마파크)

This is one of Korea's most interesting and underrated tourist attractions. The name is horribly misleading as are many of Korea's "theme parks.”. This place is actually a movie/TV drama set built as an elaborate Joseon-era castle with rooms you can walk in, traditional clothes you can try on, musical instruments you can play, vendors with traditional cheledon pottery you can buy, etc. -- all of which culminates in a spectacular view of the Naju countryside from atop the castle walls. It's a good 20 minutes outside the city. Tickets cost 5,000w, and if you are a Naju resident, you can get a discount (this applies to foreigners, too, so long as your ARC lists Naju as your official address). Check out their official site for more information: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=495604

This is the Naju Image Theme Park, where the soap operas "Jumong" and "Kingdom of the Winds" were filmed. Located in the southwestern parts of the country, the city of Naju was occupied by the Baekje Kingdom during Korea's Three Kingdoms Period (57 B.C.-A.D. 668). First-time visitors to the theme park can reflect on the nation's history and may have questions about the Goguryeo-style architecture.

The Naju Image Theme Park is one of the most sought-after locations to film historic soap operas, especially those set in Goguryeo (37 B.C.-A.D. 668) and Baekje (18 B.C.-A.D. 660) times. The park is surrounded by some 95 buildings.

This is the Naju Image Theme Park, where the soap operas “Jumong” and “Kingdom of the Winds” were filmed. Located in the southwestern parts of the country, the city of Naju was occupied by the Baekje Kingdom during Korea’s Three Kingdoms Period (57 B.C.-A.D. 668). First-time visitors to the theme park can reflect on the nation’s history and may have questions about the Goguryeo-style architecture.

Address:

The Natural Dyeing Culture Center (한국천연염색박물관)

(나주시천연염색문화재단)

Naju is famous for their natural dyeing, recognized as Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 115, and is known for developing silk weaving techniques and discovering a way to create a deep navy color for fabrics. As such, Naju is home to the Natural Dyeing Culture Center. You can easily lose track of time exploring the exhibit hall, materials room, shop, and experience hall here. The experience hall in particular offers many opportunities to make your very own souvenir, ranging from naturally dyed scarves and items of clothing to coloring and woodcraft kits.

Address: 379, Baekho-ro, Dasi-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 나주시 다시면 백호로 379)

Naju National Museum (국립박물관)

Naju National Museum displays artifacts found near Yeongsangang River region and preserves artifacts excavated from throughout the South Jeolla region.

Address: 747, Gobun-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do

Naju Mary

Naju Pear Museum (나주배박물관)

Naju Pear Museum is a museum that was opened in the year 1992 to study more about the Korean pears including the history of the fruit, process of growing them, sorting them and storing them. Located in Naju, visitors can take a guided tour of this museum. The tour lasts 20 minutes and will help you know more about your favourite breakfast food.Address:

Address: 5838, Yeongsan-ro, Geumcheon-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do

And of course what's a trip to Naju without going to the Naju Pear Museum? It's free. It's fruity. It's the Pear Museum! Learn more about this place at: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=815382

Abandoned Bowling Alley

Nearby Dongshin University, there is a large bowling alley which has been abandoned since the 1990s. Koreans don't seem to have the same fascination with abandoned buildings as Westerners do, so there aren't any drug addicts or vagrants hiding in the place. It's definitely worth a visit. If you feel so inclined, you can go bowling with ghosts and ghouls; there are plenty of bowling balls, pins, and even bowling shoes available. After you've finished your game, you can head downstairs and sing to your heart's desire at the abandoned norae-bang. If you don't believe in the netherworld, however, you can pilfer through boxes of unused shot glasses and mugs. To get there from Hoban Apartments: walk towards the university, turn right at the street that's in front of the university. Walk about 25 yards, then, you'll see paths that lead you towards the bowling alley on your right.

#1 of 5 Things To Do in Naju-si

Relax at Jungheung Gold Spa & Resort (중흥 골드스파 & 리조트)

A bit further out, there's Naju's water park. According to other websites, it costs about 37,000w to enter the park and additional money to ride the rides and eat. To learn more about this place, check out the following website: Band Adventures

Address:

Bike the Yeongsan River.

One of the best things about Naju and much of Korea is the access to the kilometers and kilometers of bike trails. Theoretically, you can bike all the way around the country from any one of the trails. In Naju, the trails are breathtaking in their beauty, personified by majestic farm lands, cattle yards, and truly sublime views of the River. Every 5 kilometers or so, there is a rest station; some offer maps. If you manage to bike through this area, it's recommended that you try to pass by Neureoji Observatory (느러지전망대), which is a lookout tower, where you can stare out across an oxbow in the River. You can read more about that here: Namu Wiki

Address:

Hike Geum-seong Mountain (금성산).

It's not a particularly tall mountain, but it does offer some stunning views and as with most mountains in Korea, quaint, enlightening Buddhist Temples nestled here and there. What makes this mountain interesting is its history: With its several jutting peaks, three in total, it has the look of a dragon's back, and so, dating back to Korea's shamanistic days, Geum-seong Mountain has been worshiped as a holy place. Also, during the Korean war, a group of North Korean soldiers got stranded up there after MacArthur's famous attack on Incheon; those soldiers set up landmines around the mountain and held out until the bitter end. There's a South Korean military base up there now, making the highest peak inaccessible. However, there is a water park located over the first ridge of the mountain; it's only open in the summer and may look out-of-business, because they drain the pools every day (strange), but it's definitely worth a visit.

Address:

Check out the Naju Culture Center

Located between the Daebang area and City Hall, the Culture Center offers several surprisingly good theater and dance performances, and it also serves as a movie theater on occasion while the new movie theater in Innovation City is being build. The 160 and 196 buses go by here. Check out there website here: http://najuart.naju.go.kr/

Address:

Yearly Festivals in Naju

Naju also hosts several festivals throughout the year.

Naju Pear Blossom Festival (나주 배 꽃 축제) - April - Pear blossoms give cherry blossoms a run for their money in terms of their beauty and soft colors.

Naju Rapeseed Festival (나주 유채 축제) - May - Odd sounding name but a lovely festival with breathtaking tall yellow-grass flowers.

Naju Yeongsanpo Skate Festival (영산포 홍어축제) - May - Celebrates skate fish. Click the link to find out more: Asia English Visit Korea

Naju Reed Festival (억새풀 축제) - September - Celebrates the reeds that grow near the river, which are quite beautiful. Walking around there, you get the feeling you're in a horror movie or something.

Mahan Culture Festival (마한문화축제) - October - Celebrates the traditional culture of the Mahan Kingdom, which ruled before the Three Kingdom period

Dongshin University Festival (동신대학교 축제) - Fall - 3-day festival with live music, games, and food, which is held in the fall.

Address:

동신대학교

나주시외버스터미널

Also read my post about how-to travel from Naju to Gwangju!

How to get from Gwangju to Naju Innocity without a car:

From Gwangju-Songjeong Station, use the 02 bus for 30 minutes to "Lake Park" or use the 160 bus for 30 minutes to Innocity. Or ride on the train for 10 minutes to Naju Station and then take the 700 or 701 bus to the Innocity.

- Naju-Innocity bound buses: 02

How to get from Gwangju to (Old) Naju without a car:

From Gwangju-Songjeong Station, use the 02 bus for 30 minutes, or ride on the train for 10 minutes. - Naju-bound buses: 160, 600, 601, 602, 603, 1160

Or Reasons I'm Happy to Live near Gwangju!

광주가톨릭대학교

1913 Songjeong Station Market

☞ Address: 38, Songjeong-ro 16beon-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju (광주광역시 광산구 송정로16번길 38)

☞ Directions: Walk approx. 3 min from Gwangju-Songjeong Station, Exit 5

☞ Operating hours: Mon-Thu 11:00-22:00 / Fri-Sun 11:00-23:00 * Closed second and fourth Monday of each month

☞ Inquiries: +82-62-942-1914 (Korean only)

☞ Website: 1913songjungmarket.modoo.at (Korean only)

Yangnim History & Culture Village

☞ Address: 201-64, Yangnim-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju (광주광역시 남구 양림동 201-64)

☞ Directions: Walk approx. 15 min from Namgwangju Station (Gwangju Subway Line 1), Exit 3

☞ Operating hours: Open 24 hours (Hours vary by shop)

☞ Inquiries: +82-62-607-4502 (Korean only)

☞ Website: visityangnim.kr (Korean only)

Muan International Airport

Mokpo Station

Mokpo

Gatbawi Rock and the coastal walkway to reach it are a must when visiting Mokpo. Gatbawi Rock, Natural Monument No. 500, is said to look like two men wearing gat (traditional Korean hat). In the past, people had to ride a boat if they wanted to see the rocks. However, with the installation of a coastal footpath, visitors can easily walk to the rocks over the sea, enjoying the breeze on their way.

Gatbawi Culture Town is within walking distance, perfect for travelers who enjoy getting to know the local culture and arts. The tourism complex is comprised of the National Maritime Museum, Mokpo Culture & Arts Center, Mokpo Natural History Museum, Local Culture Hall, and Namnong Memorial Hall.

Or take a Professional Naju Tour

https://www.narabus.co.kr/jw_2ds/?menu_id=47:49

Leave a comment if you have any other Naju travel recommendations, corrections, or questions of life in Naju, South Jeolla province, or South Korea. 감사합니다!

Disclaimer: All text, photos, and videos are my own and property of Where's Anne, unless stated otherwise.

Disclaimer: All information comes from my experience of Naju tours, Naju travel information pamphlets, and the sources below:

Korea.net - News Focus http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Travel/view?articleId=127237

WikiTravel https://wikitravel.org/en/Naju

KoreaTourInformation Blog http://koreatourinformation.com/blog/2015/05/01/naju-hometown-of-historic-figures/

#NAJU #나주 #Naju Innocity Bitgaram South Korea #South Korea #EPIK #English Program in Korea #Jeollanamdo #lifeinkorea #living in Korea #JLP Program #blog post #blog #travel blogger

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