Asia Culture Center

LERK · CC BY-SA 4.0

A museum almost entirely underground, built around the very building where the 1980 crackdown ended.

When Gwangju decided to build an Asia-scale culture centre on the site of the old provincial government building — where the last demonstrators were shot in 1980 — it faced a problem: how to build something large without obscuring the site. The answer was to push almost the whole thing below ground. At street level there is only a flat park, some skylights and the old building left standing; beneath it are five wings of galleries, theatres, a library and studios spread over sixteen hectares. Light comes down through the skylights, and you descend gradually until you forget you are under a plaza.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Asia Culture Center?

Year-round

How much does it cost to visit Asia Culture Center?

Permanent galleries free

How long do you need at Asia Culture Center?

2–3 hours

What are the opening hours of Asia Culture Center?

10:00–18:00, to 20:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, closed Mondays; hours can shift with the performance and exhibition schedule

Did you know

Opened in 2015, with most of its floor area below ground.
Built on the site of the former South Jeolla provincial government building, scene of the 1980 events.
It covers about 16 hectares across five wings.
One of Asia's largest cultural complexes by floor area.

Travel tips

The permanent galleries are free; special exhibitions are ticketed.
The building is vast — take a map at the desk and pick two wings.
Culture Complex station (line 1) connects directly to the basement.

Source: https://www.acc.go.kr/main/menu.do?PID=06

Updated: 2026-08-04