I have lived in Naju, South Korea for two years. During these past two years, I have driven, biked hundreds of kilometers, and ridden the buses around to many parts of Naju, Gwangju, and even surrounding towns like Hampyeong, Mokpo, Haenan. Many of these places are on the tourist map, while others are not.
I’ve been so grateful for my experiences overseas in South Korea, huge thanks to Naju.
Before I leave Naju someday, I hope to share the best places that I’ve been and recommend for others to visit.
Where is Naju-si city (나주시)
Naju city (나주시) is located in South Jeolla province. Naju is best known for its delicious pears (나주배), gomtang beef bone soup (나주곰탕), and its flat plains.
To visit Naju with public transportation, you could take the train from Seoul or Daejeon (서대전) or Iksan (익산) or Gwangju (광주송정) or take a bus to Gwangju U Square Bus Terminal then bus 02.
Anne’s Tip: If you’re exploring Naju or anywhere in Korea, I highly suggest using Kakao Maps or Naver Maps apps to navigate by car, bicycle, or public transportation options. Also, you can bookmark to save these places.
Naju has a lot to offer from historic sides with gomtang or skate fish restaurants to small hikes to museums and to the new Innocity “Bitgaram.”
If you visit Naju or have any questions, I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you only want to know the Top 5 Things to do in Naju, see my list here.
On Instagram, I have tagged all of my Naju-related photos with the #AnneLovesNaju hashtag so check that out.
Now here are 100 fun things to do in Naju of Jeollanam-do province, South Korea.
Places in Old Naju City:
I think foreigners call it “Old Naju City” because it is an older downtown with the bus and train stations and historic buildings. Many of the historic charms of Naju are located in “Old Naju City,” while the recently built city Bitgaram is now “Naju Innovation city.”
Naju Geumseonggwan (나주 금성관)
This historic building Geumseonggwan was a hotel owned by the government in Naju Mok for the governor hundreds of years ago. During the Japanese invasion period, it was used as the Naju-gun county office and fixed again in 1969.
Today, you can walk around it and enjoy the historic authentic area. It is located near the Gomtang Street and Naju Bus Terminal in old Naju city.
Check out the four gates of Naju
Similar to the capital city Seoul or even Suwon (수원시), there used to ba a wall around the Old Naju City, but today, there are the four restored gates in the North, South, East, and West.
There are also some hanok-style cafes near the Confucian school with views of Naju’s tallest mountain.
Geumseongsan (금성산) – Possibly Naju’s tallest mountain
This is possibly Naju’s tallest mountain and you can hike it. It is located behind the Dongshin University. This mountain can be seen from the Geumseonggwan historic building in Old Naju City. Look on Kakao Maps to see some of the trails.
Find it: [KakaoMap] Geumseongsan Mountain
Sin-gwang-ri Dasi-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/yEzKunzYB
Naju Hansu Reservoir
Tucked in between the mountains, there is a small hiking trail up to the Geumseongan Mountain, glamping area, cafes, and it is a peaceful area. In March and April, you find the cherry blossom flowers all around the reservoir pond.
Find it: [KakaoMap] 한수제
Gyeonghyeon-dong, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/yjWJqc-Y0
Cafe 39-17 Majoong
This cafe was recently restored in 2017. You can visit a photo gallery here or sign up to stay and sleep in a hanok here. If you’re getting married, you could probably arrange a photo shoot here because it looks so nicely restored.
Find it: [KakaoMap] 39-17마중
42-16, Hyanggyo-gil, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/k4eyun-Dj
Naju Confucian School/Village School
Many towns in Korea have Confucian traditional Korean schools, where students used to go to learn writing, science, and history. There are many traditional Korean styled buildings, and it is a nice walkable neighborhood for the authentic Korean style.
Find it: [KakaoMap] 나주향교
38, Hyanggyo-gil, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/mTYMvn-Y0
The gate
Cafe 20
Find it: [KakaoMap] 나주향교
38, Hyanggyo-gil, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/mTYMvn-Y0
This neighborhood is walkable and there are more traditional cafes in this area as well.
Cafe Antenna
Find it:
That place for music venue events HERE
Gomtang Street (곰탕)
Naju is best known for its beef bone soup – called GomTang.
The Milk Factory Library & Cafe
Bring a receipt of any 남양유업 dairy product for free entry to the factory’s book cafe.
Find it: [KakaoMap] 남양유업 나주공장
5785, Yeongsan-ro, Geumcheon-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/27WdNn-YT
Naju Pear Museum
Learn about the production of growing pears in Naju here.
[KakaoMap] Naju Pear Museum
5838, Yeongsan-ro, Geumcheon-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/B_vA7nzYH
Cool “turtle-shaped’ cafe or observatory
You’ll pass this on the bridge or if you’re biking along the Yeongsan River.
[KakaoMap] 나주대교 전망대
510, Yeongsangangbyeon-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/8otVNn-DB
Sunday Market (나주목사고을시장)
Visit the Market in Yeongsan area. It is located about 5-minutes from Naju Train Station.
[KakaoMap] 나주목사고을시장
5433-4, Yeongsan-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/eVL_7n-YM
Naju Former Train Station
Learn about the Japanese student movement
[KakaoMap] 청소년수련관북카페
34, Jungnim-gil, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/oSDC7nzDH
Now, let’s see the places in the new Naju Innocity.
Places in Naju Innocity Bitgaram:
In 2014, Naju became the new place for Seoul companies and company workers. This is city is totally planned and designed around the KEPCO and other 16 public organization companies.
Bitgaram Lake Park
This lake is located in the center of Bitgaram city. You can’t miss it. Located in the center of the lake is Baemasan Mountain, which has the Bitgaram Observatory tower, which looks like an alien ship.
Bitgaram Observatory
Located in the center of Bitgaram city, you can see the Bitgaram Observatory. You can hike to the top of the mountain to visit the observatory, which has an exhibition hall, restaurant, photo gallery hall, history of the city, observatory top floor, and 360-degree view of the entirety of Bitgaram city. Around the observatory, there are some small playgrounds, sitting areas, and obstacle courses for walking or biking. Children or teenagers can ride the stone slide for 1,000 won, or you can take the monorail elevator for 1,000 won if you don’t feel like hiking or walking up the stairs.
At nighttime, the Bitgaram Observatory lights up.
[KakaoMap] 빛가람전망대 전시관리동
4-434, Bitgaram-dong, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/soA95c-DH
KEPCO Building and Botanical Garden
Want to see the tallest building of Naju? KEPCO is the Korea electric company
Find it: [KakaoMap] Korea Electric Power Corporation
55, Jeollyeok-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/Hc6a5c-Dj
Nature Sides of Naju:
Jeollanam-do Nature Resources Center (전라남도 산림자원연구소)
This is a beautiful spot in the nature outside of Naju Bitgaram Innocity where you can enjoy nature, have a picnic, and even learn about some of the plants here.
Find it: [KakaoMap] 전라남도 산림자원연구소
7, Dado-ro, Sanpo-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/MZVkGczY0
Nampyeong-eup
This part of Naju has another riverside bike paths, some delicious restaurants, and camping site. It is located about 30 to 45 minutes south of Gwangju city.
Nampyeong Restaurants
Find it: [KakaoMap] Nampyeonggangbyeon Broiled Eels
82-12, Nampyeong 1-ro, Nampyeong-eup, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/DaLBVn-Dj
Nampyeong Hill Park
Hike up or drive up this hill to see really pretty views of the Nampyeong town and far views of Naju Innocity
Find it: [KakaoMap] Woryeondaesan Neighborhood Park
1-5, Gyochon-ri Nampyeong-eup, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/EUzHVczDH
Nampyeong Confucian School
Find it: [KakaoMap] 남평향교
45-12, Nampyeonghyanggyo-gil, Nampyeong-eup, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/yRQp_nzYB
Nampyeong Jungle Elephant Cafe
If you like elephants and rooftop cafes, check out Jungle Elephant.
Find it: [KakaoMap] Jungle elephant
7, Gangbyeon 2-gil, Nampyeong-eup, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/i1_jVczY0
Nampyeong Camping and Recreation Site
If you’re looking for a rural and free campsite, visit here.
Find it: [KakaoMap] 전남 나주시 남평읍 남석리 779 http://kko.to/EGY4VnzDo
Nampyeong Former Train Station (남평역)
Find it: [KakaoMap] 전남 나주시 남평읍 동촌로 313 http://kko.to/GG0wE7-YM
Korea’s Natural Dyeing Museum (한국천연염색박물관)
You can learn about the ways to dye clothing or materials at the Natural Dyeing Museum. It is located next to the Yeongsan River. I went here on a school field trip with my students.
Find it: [KakaoMap] 중흥골드스파리조트
163 Hoejin-ri, Dasi-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/4Am9x7zDj
Naju Bokam Ancient Tombs Exhibition Hall (나주복암리고분전시관)
Find it: [KakaoMap] 나주복암리고분전시관
287 Baekho-ro, Dasi-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/uMvWEN-D0
Naju Lake
Naju Joonghook Gold Spa Resort
If you’re looking for a resort or pool place for your children, visit their website jhgoldresort.co.kr
Find it: [KakaoMap] 중흥골드스파리조트
1450-1, Bangsan-ri Dado-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/a2PZ_czYo
Naju Bulhusa Temple
This is a pretty temple with nice tall trees leading to the temple. The temple is pretty, but very far away, so I don’t recommend biking to this as it’s a hilly part of Naju and on the border to Hwasun.
Find it: [KakaoMap] 나주불회사석장승
999, Masan-ri Dado-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/b4xx_c-Yp
Hwasun Dolmen Sites
The town located on the right of Naju is Hwasun. This is a historic site with huge rocks, I think it’s a bit rural, so I recommend driving a car.
Find it: [KakaoMap] Hwasun Dolmen Sites
64, Hyosan-ri Dogok-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/v5V-VnzYM
ByeokRyuJeong Historic Site
This site holds history of Jeollanam-do culture since 1640. There’s a pagoda here located on the border of Naju and Yeongam.
Find it: [KakaoMap] 벽류정
102, Byeoksanbyeongnyu-gil, Seji-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/pHahVc-YB
Naju National Museum
Find it: [KakaoMap] Naju National Museum
747, Gobun-ro, Bannam-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/SdYN_c-Yj
Mahan Culture Park
Usually in September, Naju hosts the Mahan culture event with arts and crafts for children and families to enjoy.
Find it: [KakaoMap] Mahan Culture Park
794-1, Ogya-ri Sijong-myeon, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/nDxuVnzYB
Naju Korean-Peninsula Shaped Land 느러지
There is an observatory along the Yeongsan River that shows great views of land shaped like the Korean Peninsula. It is located on the border of Naju, Muan, Hampyeong, so it’s not as easy to get to.
Find it: [KakaoMap] 느러지전망대
1-2 Mt., Okjeong-ri Donggang-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/_Px_VczDM
Watch my YouTube video of the Korean-Peninsula Shaped Observatory:
Dahwa Cafe
[KakaoMap] Dahwarang
100, Sanhopyeongsan-gil, Munpyeong-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/jk9L_n-Dp
It is a cute cafe tucked in a rural part of Naju with cute interior and plants.
Their Instagram @cafedahwarang:
[KakaoMap] 나주쌍계정yes
251, Geuman-ri, Noan-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/1KKSwn-Yp
Yeongsan-po
The Yeongsan-po neighborhood is known for the Japanese colonization-styled buildings, skate fish, and the Yeongsan Riverboat rides.
Yeongsan River bike paths
If you have a bicycle, you can totally bike along the Yeongsan River.
In March-April, you can find the yellow rapeseed flowers loaded on the riverside in Yeonsan-po. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-tCZxyhYDw/
Naju K-Drama Film Site (나주 영상테마파크)
[KakaoMap] 나주영상테마파크
450, Deogeum-ro, Gongsan-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do http://kko.to/ZkktwnzDT
See my YouTube video about this K-Drama Filming Site:
