XVII International Astronomy Olympiad

Mt. Mudeung

• http://mudeungsan.gjcity.net
• http://www.invil.org/english/tourism/themeTour/mountainValley/contents.jsp?con_no=22911&page_no=1

• Mt. Mudeung is a guardian mountain soaring high over the eastern edge of Gwangju City and Damyang/Hwasun in Jeonnam Province (the south-western part of Korea) and a symbol of Gwnagju representing the spirit of Jeonnam. With its gently rounding features the mountain always seems to suggest stability and noblesse. As the trails are generally without rocks, anybody can easily hike up the mountain. There are many mineral springs in the mountain so as to have a constant stream of neighbors.
• Mt. Mudeung 'Columnar Joint' is the product of volcano activity which took place during the Cretaceous period in the Mesozoic Age, and formed in the process of eruption, cooling and contraction of lava, and shows off the splendid scene taking the shape of pillars or folding screen by weathering for a long time. Pillar-shaped joint cliff consists of Ipseokdae, Seoseokdae and the stone pillar of Gyubongam temple, and the size of a stone pillar in Ipseokdae and Seoseokdae are the biggest of the ones reported in South Korea. They boast of very beautiful scenery with surrounding trees and Mt. Mudeung.

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) is the national astronomy research institute of Korea established in 1974. KASI has opened the history of Korean modern astronomy via the establishment of Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory, expanded the observational wavelength range to the radio via the establishment of Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory, and made a stepping stone to jump into the future astronomy via the establishment of Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory. KASI has various research areas such as optical, radio, theoretical, and observational astronomy researches and is expanding its area through astronomical researches in space, and leading the 21C space era via both pure scientific researches on the Universe and developments of space-related techniques.

Korea Institute Geoscience and Mineral Resources

This institute is a unique institute of research field over the whole mineral resources and geosciences. It’s established in 1918, accomplishing the geo-scientific surveys over Korean peninsular more than 90 years, for the well-being of the people and the protection of the environments

Goheung National Youth Space Center

Goheung National Youth Space Center is one of the places where the young students can experience the space science and approach toward the universe, not only through awesome ideas and creativity, but also via doing by oneself the processes they offer here.

Nagan-EupSung Folk Village

This is the first place where a village and the fort were registered as one of the well-sustained as original form as it was built. In 1397 during the Chosun dynasty, when the Japanese pirates attacked the village, General Bin-Gil Kim protected the people in this village by building the fort and General Kyung-Up Im expanded and reinforced by the stone building as it is now, which turned out as an excellent protection against the attacks by the Japanese pirates. This is the only Folk village where the people still keep living their daily lifestyle inside the village.

Biennale

Founded in 1995 in memory of the civil uprising and the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement, the Gwangju Biennale is Asia’s oldest and most prestigious biennial of contemporary art. Under the helm of previous curators - including Massimiliano Gioni, Kerry Brougher, Sukwon Chang, Okwui Enwezor, Charles Esche, Hou Hanru, Honghee Kim, Yongwoo Lee, Youngchul Lee, Kwangsoo Oh, Wankyoung Sung and Harald Szeemann - the Gwangju Biennale has established itself as a highlight of the international contemporary art biennale circuit.

Juknokwon (Bamboo Garden)

Juknokwon (죽녹원) in Damyang is a bamboo forest cultivated by the town of Damyang. Seonginsan Mountain behind Damyang Hyanggyo (Confucian school) was transformed into Juknokwon Bamboo Garden featuring a beautiful artificial waterfall, pavilion, walking paths and an eco-exhibition center, a popular destination for visitors. It takes about 1 hour to tour around the entire garden. Crossing Hyanggyo Bridge from Juknokwon, a forest for preventing floods can be seen. Lights are turned on in the evenings in the bamboo forest for night walk.

Songgwangsa Temple