World by City

Parks & gardens

5·18 Memorial Park

Open in Maps
5·18 Memorial Park

5·18 Memorial Park

Located in the Sangmu District of Gwangju, this park is a commemorative site dedicated to the May 18 Democratic Uprising. It serves as a space for reflection and education, featuring a memorial tower and various commemorative installations. Visitors come here to learn about South Korea's modern political history and to walk the pilgrimage trail that connects the park establishes toward the Mangwol-dong Cemetery.

Getting There

The park is accessible from Gwangju city centre via local bus or taxi. Depending on your starting point and traffic conditions, the journey typically takes between 20 and 40 minutes.

Suggested Duration

Allow approximately 2 to 3 hours to explore the memorial tower, the commemorative spaces, and the surrounding grounds. Those choosing to walk portions of the pilgrimage trail should allocate additional time.

When to Visit

The park is open throughout the year. Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable seasons for walking the outdoor grounds. The site can become crowded during anniversary events in May, as it is a focal point for national remembrance.

Nearby Attractions

The park can be combined with other cultural and natural sites in the region:

  • Gwangju Folk Museum (4.2km)
  • Gwangju National Museum (4.4km)
  • Geumdangsan (4.9km)
  • Wongaksa (5.4km)

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

GetYourGuide GetYourGuide 클룩 Klook Tiqets Tiqets KKday KKday WeGoTrip WeGoTrip

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near 5·18 Memorial Park

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors

5·18 Memorial Park Nearby stays

Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

Pick your dates — we'll search Gwangju hotels for you

Choose dates and guests, and the buttons below will open search results with your criteria. Prices differ between sites, so compare before you book.

View on Compare sites 부킹닷컴 View on Booking.com 호텔스닷컴 View on Hotels.com

Hotel membership

Staying at Accor hotels often? ALL Accor+ Explorer

A paid annual membership. It includes two free nights a year across Asia-Pacific, 30% off dining and 15% off drinks, and 15% off stays at more than 4,500 hotels worldwide.

Explore the membership

Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Gwangju 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Gwangju grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Gwangju Folk Museum

Museums & galleries

Gwangju Folk Museum

This public museum was established by the city of Gwangju to collect and preserve disappearing folk artifacts of daily life. It's a good place to take a close look at traditional living culture and folk relics.

4.2 km away
Gwangju National Museum

Museums & galleries

Gwangju National Museum

The Gwangju National Museum is a national museum in Gwangju that preserves and exhibits cultural artifacts from the Honam region, including relics recovered from the Sinan shipwreck. Opened in 1978, it's a good place to explore the area's history and culture.

4.4 km away
Geumdangsan

Nature

Geumdangsan

Located right in the heart of Gwangju, Geumdangsan is easy to access and has gentle slopes, drawing many hikers from early morning. From the summit, you're rewarded with a sweeping view over Pungam Lake and Gwangju World Cup Stadium.

4.9 km away
Wongaksa

Temples & religious sites

Wongaksa

Wongaksa is a Buddhist temple in downtown Gwangju's Dong-gu district, built in 1914 and steeped in history. It's a peaceful place to explore right in the heart of the city.

5.4 km away
Asian Culture Center

Museums & galleries

Asian Culture Center

A national cultural facility in Dong-gu, Gwangju, offering exhibitions and programs for exchanging and learning about cultures across Asia. Since opening in 2015, it has become a complex dedicated to introducing Asian culture.

5.9 km away
Mudeungsan National Park

Parks & gardens

Mudeungsan National Park

This national park centers on Mudeungsan, a 1,187-meter peak, and was designated South Korea's 21st national park in 2013. The summit itself is off-limits, but hikers can climb to Seoseokdae at 1,100 meters and take in the scenery.

12.1 km away