Asia Culture Center (ACC)

In the middle of downtown Gwangju, on the site of the former South Jeolla Provincial Office where the May 1980 uprising played out, stands a vast cultural complex. The Asia Culture Center (ACC) puts most of its facilities underground under a park-like roof and brings together exhibitions, theatres, a library and children's spaces. With 5·18 Democracy Square and the old provincial office right in front, it is a place to meet both Gwangju's modern history and contemporary Asian culture.

History: a cultural centre on the old provincial office site

The centre was created under a 2006 special act to make Gwangju a hub of Asian culture. In 2005 the international design competition was won by architect Kyu Sung Woo with "Forest of Light", and construction began in 2008. The original plan would have demolished the annex of the old provincial office, but objections from groups connected to the May 18 movement led to part of it being kept, which delayed completion. The ACC opened partially in September 2015 and fully on 25 November 2015.

About 90% of the main facilities are below ground, with green space on top. Its total floor area of 161,237 m² is larger than that of the National Museum of Korea.

5·18 Democracy Square and the old provincial office

The fountain plaza in front of the centre is 5·18 Democracy Square. On 14 May 1980 students from Chonnam National University marched here and, joined by Chosun University students and citizens, held a national democracy rally; a torchlight rally followed on 16 May. After martial-law troops withdrew on 21 May, citizens' assemblies were held here day after day. The fountain, the Sangmugwan hall and the clock tower from that time still stand, and the Bell of Democracy, built in 2005, is rung on the May 18 anniversary and on Liberation Day. The eve-of-anniversary ceremony is held on the square every year.

The old provincial office, built in 1930, together with the former police building and Sangmugwan, now forms the ACC's Democracy and Peace Exchange Center. After a restoration project it officially opened in May 2026.

What to see

• ACC Creation: exhibition halls 1–6 host shows that mix art, the humanities and technology. On its roof, the Sky Garden is a lawn for lounging.
• ACC Archive & Research: home to the Asian Culture Museum and a library with materials from across Asia. The museum is free.
• ACC Theater: including Theater 1, which can be reconfigured for up to 1,120 seats, for new and experimental productions.
• ACC Children: the largest children's cultural facility in Korea, with a hands-on centre, children's library and playground.

Good to know

• Culture Complex Station, linked to the centre, opened in 2004 as "Provincial Office Station". It was renamed in 2006 when the provincial government moved to Muan, and it houses a small May 18 information hall.
• ACC Archive & Research and ACC Creation stay open into the evening on Wednesdays and Saturdays, handy for an after-work or evening visit.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: indoor facilities 10:00–18:00; ACC Archive & Research and ACC Creation stay open until 20:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Outdoor areas are open 06:00–22:00. Closed Mondays and 1 January.
• Prices: the Asian Culture Museum and library are free; exhibitions and performances are priced individually. The children's hands-on centre costs KRW 5,000 for ages 4–13 and KRW 3,000 from age 14.
• Getting there: Gwangju Metro Line 1, Culture Complex Station, exits 5 and 6, connects directly. Trains from Gwangju Songjeong Station run straight here.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours for the square, the old provincial office and the Sky Garden; half a day with exhibitions.
• Information: call centre 1899-5566.