U-Square: More Than a Terminal
Written and photographed by Marley Heckner
Originally published February 2016 #168
I am sure that everyone who lives in Gwangju has at least heard of the U-Square Gwancheon Bus Terminal. I would even hazard a guess that everyone has been there at least once.
The bus terminal itself is a great way to explore Korea. Every major location in Korea, as well as many minor locations, are just a bus ride away. I have never seen the ticket price to any destination exceed 30,000 won.
I know many who like to take the KTX when traveling, but I prefer the ease of the bus, for example, to Seoul. If you have a weekend with no plans, money to spare, and feet itching to move, visit the bus terminal.
Take a moment to look at all the locations on the board and pick one. If I can do a decent day trip to Seoul, you are sure to find somewhere to explore as well.
Grab a ticket and get on the bus. You can also stop at the restaurants or cafes that sit in front of the various gates if you have some time to wait. I feel that this is an experience that many of us already have. But this is not all that the location has. There is so much more than meets the eye.
First, while the food court and restaurants near the gates are delicious, the second floor has many more restaurants for you to enjoy. There are various styles of food present. I have read many recommendations for the buffet-style restaurant named Ashley. But even this is only scratching the surface. U-Square can easily turn into a day trip of its own.
I am particularly surprised at the lack of information available about U-Square and its attraction. In fact, while writing this article, I was looking at what had been previously written. I found a stunning 100 or so words. The various activities presented here are hardly talked about on online forums.
Food is easy. That can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the person, how much they like to talk and how much time they have. You can even double it if you go for lunch and dinner. But the time between meals? You can easily do a time-consumer and go see a movie. U-Square has CGV and IMAX movie theaters. Even better, they have a 4DX movie theatre. I personally experienced 4DX for the first time with the new Star Wars movie. The seats move in ways that are reminiscent of a rollercoaster and a massage chair. You are sprayed with water, scents are released, and you are shaken and stirred, all playing along with the 3D movie in front of you. I would highly recommend trying it, if you are not prone to motion sickness.
After the movie is finished, you can wander into the arcade. I am an arcade soul at heart. I hardly ever resist the call to spend all of my spare change on racing games, air hockey, and DDR. This arcade is one of the largest I have seen in Gwangju and even has private norebang singing rooms many of us secretly eye.
Arcades are not for everyone, so for those with a more “refined” soul can make their way to one of the two different art exhibits, Kumho Art Hall or Dongsan Art Hall. Both are remarkable in their own ways. Sometimes the art is of a performance variety, and sometimes you can slowly stroll through. I know that nothing is permanent here, so it is all about timing.
There is still more to be found. If you want to get your shopping on, U-Square has one of the largest book-stores in Gwangju, easily found near the bus gates. The bookstore even has a decent selection of English books. U-Square is also located right next to an E-Mart, a Shinsaegae Department Store, and the Kumho World Electronics Market.
After all of your activities, while heavily laden with bags, you eat a big dinner. You still do not want to go home, so you feel like treating yourself to relaxation. U-Square can provide! U-Square has its own jjimjilbang (sauna), which has good reviews. I love jjimjilbangs, and I certainly cannot wait to try this one.
I have not explored everything there is to offer, and I have heard whispers of things I cannot find, such as the History Hall. When I return from vacation, perhaps I will get lost in the building and find it then.