1913 Songjeong Station Market

Originally established in 1913 as the Songjeong Station Daily Market following the opening of the Honam Railway Line, this vibrant bazaar sustained railway travelers and local farmers for over a century. Facing modern obsolescence, the market was transformed in 2016 through a pioneering partnership between the Gwangju Creative Economy Innovation Center and Hyundai Card, painstakingly restoring nostalgic 1960s-style signage and brass facade details while empowering multi-generational merchants.

The linear 180-meter pedestrian lane features paving embedded with brass year plaques commemorating merchant founding dates. Classic vintage fonts, hand-lettered wood planks, and hanging warm Edison bulb canopies preserve the visual soul of 20th-century Korea. A digital train departure timetable kiosk in the central rest lounge keeps transit passengers informed.

Spring brings mild evenings ideal for strolling between artisanal food stalls. Summer is electric with night beer festivals and bustling youth crowds. Autumn fills the market with seasonal persimmons, roasted chestnuts, and aromatic freshly milled sesame oils, while winter draws visitors around steaming pots of fish cake broth and sweet hotteok griddles.

Market lanes are accessible daily from 11:00 to 22:00 (extended until 23:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). The market closes on the second and fourth Monday of every month for municipal maintenance. The best visiting time is early evening between 17:30 and 20:00 when retro string lights illuminate the lane and all food vendors are firing griddles.

Admission to the market is completely free of charge. Street food snacks range from 2,000 KRW to 7,000 KRW per item. All vendor stalls accept Korean and international credit cards, mobile payments, and local currency vouchers.

Take Gwangju Metro Line 1 to Gwangju Songjeong Station and use Exit 2. Alternatively, if arriving via high-speed rail (KTX or SRT), exit through Gwangju Songjeong Station Exit 1, cross the plaza street, and reach the market entrance in under 3 minutes.

The 180-meter lane is level, paved with smooth flat cobblestone, and entirely step-free. Modern accessible public restrooms and luggage storage lockers are available at the central Customer Service Lounge.

Enter through the main neon archway → browse vintage dried fish and oil mill stores with historical black-and-white photos → sample freshly rolled egg rolls (Gyeran-bap) → taste mugwort choco-pies and hand-pulled fish cakes → explore the retro photography studio → dine at the adjoining Songjeong Tteokgalbi Alley (approx. 90 minutes).

Culinary specialties include: Gyeran-bap (warm sticky rice wrapped in a fluffy rolled omelet with spicy pork or tuna fillings), Ssuk Choco-pie (artisan dark chocolate pies infused with fragrant wild mugwort), hand-sliced Gaemi-jip dried sea snacks, and fresh craft beer from local microbreweries.

Vegetarian options are readily available: fresh vegetable gimbap, meat-free potato and corn pancakes, sweet red-bean glutinous rice balls, and vegan mugwort bread. Fresh seasonal fruit cups and cold roasted grain drinks (misugaru) are sold at multiple stalls.

Top photo spots: the glowing retro 1913 Songjeong Station Market wooden entrance archway at twilight, posing under the hanging warm Edison string lights down the central lane, and the charming vintage monochrome photo studio facade.

Maintain right-hand walking etiquette along the narrow 180-meter corridor. Dispose of street food skewers and paper cups in designated waste and recycling receptacles positioned every 30 meters. Smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the market.

The Market Customer Center houses a nursing room and emergency first aid supplies. Security guards patrol during evening hours. Multilingual tourist interpretation is available via 1330.

The famous Songjeong Tteokgalbi Alley sits just 3 minutes walk north, while the Asia Culture Center (ACC) is a 20-minute direct subway ride east on Metro Line 1.

Q: Can train travelers store heavy luggage here? A: Yes, automated luggage storage lockers accommodating large suitcases are located inside the Customer Support Lounge in the center of the market, as well as inside the KTX train station.

Afternoon arrival at KTX Gwangju Songjeong Station → street food tour of 1913 Songjeong Station Market → Songjeong Tteokgalbi dinner → evening subway ride to the Asia Culture Center.