Sajik Park and Surrounding Areas
Gwangju is a beautiful city, and there are plenty of great spots to catch gorgeous views. One of the most convenient spots to enjoy a great view of the city is in Sajik Park, and specifically in the newly-completed observation tower. This tower stands at a 13.7 meters tall, on top of a large hill that overlooks the entire downtown area, and also provides excellent views of Mount Mudeung (무등산). With the free high-power binoculars that have been installed atop the observation deck, you can see nearly the entire city!
Guests can easily bring up a packed lunch or a few beverages and sit with friends or loved ones while taking in the view. The third floor of the tower is filled with photos of Gwangju through the years, showing the growth and progress the city has been through over the last few decades. And the fourth floor patio of the tower offers a 360-degree view, with an open floor plan that is spacious and clean. The observation structure is open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day.
However, there is more to Sajik Park than just its observation tower. Sajik Park has been a staple of Gwangju for the last few decades. In the 1980s, it was an amusement park, complete with a swimming pool and zoo. You can even see the remnants of the original observation deck left as a memorial to the park. Walk down the hill past Gwangju Foreign Radio Network (GFN), and maybe you will bump into one of the station’s DJs, or perhaps you will be lucky enough to catch a concert put on in the park. The concerts are usually in the style of Korean folk music, which was extremely popular in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
If folk music is your thing or you are interested in checking it out, you are in luck! All of the little cafes on your way down the hill are folk cafes. Do not be shy, pop in to any of the 10 quaint cafes! The owners are all quite friendly and accommodating, happy to play you any of the tunes that are in their wheelhouse. Know a tune or two of your own? Grab a guitar and strum a few jams-the shopkeepers would be more than thrilled! And do not worry if the cafes do not seem to be busy- the area does not heat up until after 9 p.m. So hunker down, enjoy a drink and some wonderful complimentary snacks, and enjoy the rustic feel of the cafes.
If you would rather be outside, visit the local convenience store for refreshments and head down to the river. This relaxing and calming path is where you can go for a leisurely stroll, or enjoy the sights and sounds from a spot on the rock pathway.
Whatever you prefer, Sajik Park and the surrounding area is a place not to be missed during a visit to Gwangju!