Yangnim Travel Lounge: Art and History Fills Its Alleys

Written by Karina Prananto

Gwangju’s Yangnim-dong (양림동) has recently transformed itself into an artistic neighborhood. It is an area where new trends have begun in many fields, such as culture and arts. Its close proximity to the downtown area makes it easily accessible to those tired from shopping and looking for a refreshing walk through its innumerable alleys.

Many places in Yangnim-dong are connected to Gwangju’s history. For example, Yangrim-dong is where Western missionaries settled in the early days, and among its historically significant sites are places like Honam Theological University and Seminary, Sajik Park, Gwangju Christian Hospital, Owen Memorial Hall, the birthplace of Jeong Yul-seong (a Gwangju-born composer famous in China), and the Home of Missionary Wilson. There are many interesting stories held within the neighborhood’s alleyways.

While Korean visitors may walk around the area with ease, foreign visitors might need some background information to fully understand the neighborhood. To accommodate these needs, Yangnim Travel Lounge
(양림쌀롱 여행자라운지) opened in February 2017. Aside from the lounge, they also run the “Gwangju 1930” label, which focuses on Gwangju’s history; and Yangnim Salon, which promotes the arts, among many other projects.

The Travel Lounge, located just a stone’s throw away from Yangnim-dong’s Tourist Information Center, is a traditional hanok-style building with a cozy interior. It has a reading corner, a clothing rental service, souvenirs, luggage storage, and a self-service bar, all with free wi-fi and a free charging station. The Travel Lounge also offers tour consultations, experience programs, and a space for exhibitions and small concerts each month. Managed by Travel Mates, the lounge gives visitors a different perspective of Yangnim-dong through the background of local stories.

Yangnim Salon will also be open every Saturday from June to November. It provides foreigners with various art exhibitions, performances, and experience programs. Yangnim-dong has also been selected as a destination of the Gwangju City Tour Bus every Sunday, perfect for first-time visitors to learn more about Gwangju history and art. So when in Gwangju, make sure that you visit Yangnim-dong!

Travel Mate Service (Travel Consultation)
A travel consultant (also known as a “travel mate”) can help plan your itinerary for Yangnim-dong, allowing you to cover important sites and make the most of your time. The consultant can also help plan your trip around Gwangju itself.

Costume Rentals
Walk around the historical neighborhood of Yangnim-dong in style! The Travel Lounge offers Korean hanbok and Western clothing from the 1930s for rent. While dressed up, you can tour the area and take pictures to perfect the moment. The rental fee is 15,000 won per person for two hours. This also includes a one-day lounge pass, which offers props such as umbrellas and hats to be worn together with the costumes.

Oppa (Nuna) Loves Travel
This is a special lecture and concert series with invited guests and artists. Craft beer and light refreshments will be provided during the program. Pianist Lee Seung-kyu will perform on June 28 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Only 20 spots are available and reservations are necessary at least two weeks in advance. The admission fee is 10,000 won per person or free with a season pass.

Yangnim Moonlight Tour
This is a night tour program of Yangnim-dong. A “modern girl” guide will share her special memories about 1930s Gwangju. This tour gets underway every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. And lasts about 60 minutes. The participation fee is 15,000 won per person with a tour course of Yangnim Church, Owen Memorial Hall, the House of Missionary Wilson, and more. Although this tour is conducted in Korean, you can get information in advance from the Travel Lounge to understand the tour better.

Yangnim Travel Lounge
Time: Daily 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (closed Mondays)
27-2 Yangchon-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju (entrance of the House of Choi Seung-hyo)광주 남구 양촌길 27-2 양림쌀롱 여행자라운지
Tel: 070-4239-5040
Web: g-travellounge.kr

Photographs courtesy of Yangnim Travel Lounge

The Author
Karina is from Jakarta, Indonesia, and has been living in Gwangju since 2006. She first read Gwangju News in 2007 and has been involved with the magazine since then. She loves traveling around Korea, and Jeollanam-do in particular, with her family.