Official / Local Name임동
Region / ProvinceGwangju (Buk-gu)
PopulationOfficial Municipality
Coordinates35.1638°N, 126.8936°E · 47 m
Overview
Im-dong (임동) is a lively urban district in Buk-gu, Gwangju (pop. Official Municipality, elevation 47 m) linked directly into South Korea's subway and T-money bus network.
| Official / Local Name | 임동 (Im-dong) |
|---|---|
| Region / Province | Gwangju · Buk-gu |
| Population | Official Municipality |
| Elevation | 47 m above sea level |
| Nearest Rail / Subway Station | Yangdongsijang Station (양동시장역) (1.3 km) |
| Nearby Landmarks & Sights | Tŏngnim-sa (1.8 km) · Samjeongsa (삼정사) (4.3 km) · Hongnyong-sa (4.3 km) · Gungnipgwangjubangmulgwan (국립광주박물관) (3.0 km) |
| Local Neighborhoods & Sub-Areas | Yu-dong (유동) (1.6 km), Hwajŏng-dong (1.7 km), Naebangdong (내방동) (2.0 km), Ch’ungjang-dong (2.1 km), Buk-dong (북동) (2.1 km) |
| Neighboring Municipalities | Sinan-dong (신안동) (0.5 km) · Yang-dong (양3동) (0.8 km) · Yang-dong (양동) (1.2 km) · Unam-dong (운암2동) (1.3 km) · Seo-gu (서구) (1.3 km) |
Getting There & Local Transit
Nearest rail/transit hub: Yangdongsijang Station (양동시장역) (1.3 km). KTX Honam Line from Seoul (Yongsan) to Gwangju-Songjeong Station in 1h 45m; Gwangju Metro Line 1. Tap a nationwide T-money card on local buses and subways, and search "임동" in Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time directions.
What to See & Do
- Tŏngnim-sa (1.8 km) — Im-dong (임동)
- Samjeongsa (삼정사) (4.3 km) — Im-dong (임동)
- Hongnyong-sa (4.3 km) — Im-dong (임동)
- Gungnipgwangjubangmulgwan (국립광주박물관) (3.0 km) — Im-dong (임동)
Local Food & Regional Specialties
- Hearty regional 국밥 (Gukbap rice soup) and handmade 칼국수 (Kalguksu knife-cut noodles) simmered with anchovy, radish, and seasonal greens from Gwangju.
- Charcoal-grilled local pork belly (Samgyeopsal), marinated short ribs (Galbi), and savory 해물파전 (scallion and seafood pancakes) served at family-run 식당 (Sikdang, ₩9,000–₩16,000).
- Earthenware-aged 된장 (Doenjang soybean paste) and 고추장 (Gochujang), sun-dried regional produce, traditional 한과 (Hangwa rice sweets), and local brewery 생막걸리 (unpasteurized draft Makgeolli).
- Locals gather for weekday 백반 (Baekban home-style lunch sets, ₩9,000–₩12,000) where every table receives 6–10 complimentary refillable banchan side dishes, and browse the traditional 5-day market (오일장) for seasonal harvest specialties. Across Im-dong (pop. 12,000) in Buk-gu, neighborhood alleys combine family-run soup and BBQ spots with modern Korean bakery-cafes.
Best Time to Visit
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Gwangju → · 3,651 All Cities →