Gunsan, Korea: A Guide For What To See, What To Do & What To Eat!

Wanting to get out and see something different, we decided to take a road trip to Jeolla and our first stop was Gunsan, Korea in North Jeolla Province, or Jeollabuk-do. This port city is a bit deceiving as you drive in as there are huge industrial parks and of course ports all over so it can seem a bit more like a manufacturing city.

For me, the most I knew about the city was that it is home to Gunsan Air Force Base for the American military and that it is where the more popular Seonyudo Island is located. (I say more popular because did you know there is a Seonyudo Island here in Seoul?) Anyway though, Gunsan has more than meets the eye. There are some great things to do in Gunsan and some really interesting historical places to see and learn about.

Here’s what you can find in this post:

• The History of Gunsan
• How To Get There
• Getting Around Gunsan
• Where To Stay
• What To See
  • Dongguksa Temple (동국사)
  • Chowon Photo Studio (<초원사진관)
  • Japanese House in Sinheung-dong (Hirotsu House) (군산 신흥동 일본식가옥(히로쓰 가옥))
  • Gunsan Modern History Museum (군산근대역사박물관)
  • Honam Customs Museum (호남관세박물관)
  • Gunsan Museum of Modern Art (구산근대미술관)
  • Former Jeil Feed Corporation Factory (구제일사료주식회사 공장)
  • Jinpo Maritime Theme Park (진포해양테마공원)
  • Gunsan Gyeongam-dong Railroad Village (군산 경암 철길마을)
• Where To Eat & Get Coffee
  • Hanilok (한일옥)
  • Lee Sung Dang (이성당)
  • Miz Cafe (미즈카페)
  • Old Brick (올드브릭)

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Gunsan Itinerary

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The History of Gunsan

Originally a small fishing village, Gunsan became a port city in the late 19th century during the Japanese colonization period of Korea. Because the area had very fertile soil and could produce a lot of rice, it became a priority to ship rice to Japan from this area. There was a substantial number of Japanese citizens that settled in Gunsan so now there is a large number of Japanese architectural buildings to visit. It is one of the few areas that was largely left unscathed during the war so the sites are original to the area.

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How To Get There

By Train: You can get to Gunsan Train Station on the train line via Iksan Station. The train takes about 2.5 hours and costs between W28,000 and W32,000.

By Bus: From Seoul Central City Bus Terminal, there are buses to Gunsan every 30 minutes. Tickets cost between W13,000 and W21,000.

By Car: It takes just two hours to drive from Seoul to Gunsan depending on traffic which makes it ideal for a road trip from the city with kids as it’s not too far but just far enough.

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Getting Around Gunsan

By Bus: Make sure your T-Money card is bought and topped off and you can get around the tourist spots downtown easily on the bus. Other spots on the coast or the islands will take a bit more work but are also doable.

By Car: If you’re in the area with a car, there are free parking lots all around. We had no problem pulling in and parking wherever we went and found parking lots that were just free which was amazing compared to Seoul.

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Where To Stay

Ramada by Wyndham Gunsan

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What To See

There are five different stamp courses that are recommended by Gunsan Tourism. We stuck to the Arirang Course which is an easily walkable area and historic. We also spliced in the Railroad Village from another stamp course. Check out all of the options and the map to see what works best for you when you arrive.

The historic area and train village could easy be done in one day if you want to take a day trip outside of Seoul. We really liked the historic village but another popular thing to do from Gunsan is island hopping. Seonyudo Island is the most popular island to visit from Gunsan. Take your time and enjoy the views!

Dongguksa Temple (동국사)

This historic site, which is also included on the walking tour route of of the historic area is the only remaining Buddhist temple in Korea that was constructed in the Japanese style. It’s really interesting to see. For anyone that is interested in Buddhism in Korea and the numerous amazing Buddhist temples around the country, this one definitely stands out. Founded by Japanese Monk Woochida in 1913, there are many buildings you can check out but remember to be respectful as this is a working temple.

There is also a small cafe and shop inside where you can buy a drink or incense and talk with the very friendly staff if you want.

You’ll also find a statue called “The Statue of a Girl of Peace in Kunsan”. This statue represents the comfort women, or more pointedly, the sexual slaves that the Japanese military kidnapped from Korea during World War II to rape throughout the war. The statue is meant to be a reminder of the girls who were forcefully taken from their homeland.

If you want to learn more about the comfort women in Korea and their fight still today, you can visit the House of Sharing in Korea and meet the women who are still living today or visit the War & Women’s Human Rights Museum near Hongdae in Seoul.

• Address: 16 Dongguksa-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do(전북 군산시 동국사길 16 동국사)

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Chowon Photo Studio (초원사진관)

Used as a film set in “Christmas in August”, it’s not a real studio but is popular for a photo outside. We stopped in here to pick up the stamp tour pamphlets and also to get our souvenir when we finished the stamp tour. It’s a cute little shop that is easy to find. Staff can help figure out the tour routes as well.

• Address: 12-1 Guyeong 2-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전북 군산시 구영2길 12-1)

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Japanese House in Sinheung-dong (Hirotsu House) (군산 신흥동 일본식가옥(히로쓰 가옥))

Designated as a Culture Heritage No. 183 in 2005, the historic neighborhood was a residential area for the wealthy families during the Japanese occupation. This house is opened to the public and is named after Hirostu, the man who built the house. Several Korean movies and dramas have been filmed here including “The General’s Son”, “Fighter In The Wind” and “Tazza: The High Rollers”.

It’s a typical two story Japanese timber house that still maintains its original roof, outer walls, interior and gardens. I love stamp tours and following maps to complete a mission so we had great fun traipsing through the old village to find the houses and buildings.

• Address: 17 Guyeong 1-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 군산시 구영1길 17 (신흥동))
• Hours: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm (CLOSED Mondays)

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Gunsan Modern History Museum (군산근대역사박물관)

This was closed on our visit because of Covid-19, but based upon reviews it seems like it’d be a great stop if you’re visiting and have the time to stop in. It’s at the northern end of the historic neighborhood so a very easy stop to make within walking distance of the spots mentioned above the ones below. Opened in 2011, the museum covers the Gunsan transformative role as an international trading port here in Korea. There are three floors and there is also a Children’s Experience Hall.

• Address: 240 Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 군산시 해망로 240 (장미동))
• Hours: 9:00am ~ 9:00pm
• Admission: Adults: W3,000; Teenagers: W2,000; Children: W1,000

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Honam Customs Museum (호남관세박물관)

Built in 1908, this port customs office covered the jurisdiction in Jeollabuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do. It was established to monitor and supervise the 414km of coastline and 122 uninhabited islands. This was also closed when we visited, so we just took a pic of the exterior and go our stamp. I’d probably stop into all of these spots if they were open.

• Address: 244-7 Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전북 군산시 해망로 244-7)

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Gunsan Museum of Modern Art (군산근대미술관)

Also not opened when we visited, this historic building is Registered Cultural Property No. 374. Formerly the Bank of Japan’s Gunsan Branch. After repair and restoration, it was reopened to the public as a museum of modern art. Also near the historic village, stop in this if it’s open to check it out what artistic pieces are on display.

• Address: 230 Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전북 군산시 해망로 230 장기18은행)
• Hours: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm; Closed 1st and 3rd Monday of every month.
• Admission: Adults: W500; Teeangers: W300; Children: W200

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Former Jeil Feed Corporation Factory (구제일사료주식회사 공장)

Built in 1934, this was a storehouse built by a Japanese merchant. The building was abandoned at the end of the Japanese colonial period and then was acquired by a Korean flour manufacturing company and then became the Jeil Feed.

In 1973, the building was renovated to be used as a factory. Now, the building has a cool facade and murals on the exterior and features a large mail box in the front that is popular for photos. The two photos at the top of this post are also from this location. This sits just across the street from the Jinpo Maritime Theme Park so again, everything is so close and easy to walk in a day.

• Address: 196 Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전북 군산시 해망로 196)

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Jinpo Maritime Theme Park (진포해양테마공원)

We didn’t have time to stop to see all of the things here, but drove on the road just in front and spotted some of the awesome vessels from the road. This is near the historic village and on the way toward the Railroad Village and across from Jeil Feed factory so easy to stop into.

Opened in 2008 to commemorate Jinpodaecheop, a sweeping victory of Jinpo in naval combat against the Japanese forces led by General Choi Mu Seon in 1380, this reminded me a bit of the War Memorial in Seoul with the numerous combat planes outdoor but it also has some huge warships like the Seoul Battleship Park in Seoul. This park has 16 retired military crafts including vintage tanks, historical artillery, combat planes, and warships including the Wibongham Ship, a vessel used during combat in the Vietnam War. If you visit, you can also explore the interior of these vessels.

• Address: 12 Naehang 1-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 군산시 내항1길 12 (장미동))
• Hours: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm (CLOSED New Year’s Day)
• Admission: Adults: W1,000; Teenagers: W700; Children: W300

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Gunsan Gyeongam-dong Railroad Village (군산 경암 철길마을)

This stretch of railroad sits just back from the main road so when you head that way, just walk in and you’ll find the line. The tracks runs through a stretch of buildings that now house toys that my husband grew up playing with and older style knick-knacks.

There are places to rent retro school uniforms to take pictures and old style street snacks to munch on. It’s not a long stretch and takes less than an hour to visit though you could stay longer if you have kids that want to play with everything that is there.

The coolest souvenir from our trip we got here. Ava got her face on a stamp which she was pretty stoked about. Originally the railway stretched 2.5km from Paper Korea, which made paper for newspapers. One side of the tracks are shops while the other side is storage rooms and washrooms. It’s an adorable stop off and you might even get to meet some of the super friendly cats we kept finding along the way.

PRO TIP: If you’re driving, park in the EMart parking lot across the street. It’s free.

• Address: 14 Gyeongchon 4-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전북 군산시 경촌4길 14)

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Where To Eat & Get Coffee

Hanilok (한일옥)

This restaurant is one of the most famous in the older district and is right across the street from the Chowon Photo Studio. They serve some really good, yet simple beef radish soup. This is a great option if you have picky eaters or are a bit picky yourself really.

Beef radish soup tends to be a household staple soup that can be eaten anytime throughout the day. The other popular dish here is beef tartare bibimbap. The staff was friendly and they have menus in multiple languages. They were very helpful and the food was delicious.

• Address: 63 Guyeong 3-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전북 군산시 구영3길 63)
• Hours: Every day 6:00am ~ 8:30pm

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Lee Sung Dang (이성당)

This is the oldest bakery in Korea and was opened in 1945. The menu includes danpatppang which is the popular bread filled with red bean paste and yachaeppang which is bread filled with vegetables. If you visit today, there are actually TWO buildings so take note. You’ll find the original one on the left which has all of the original goods and you can purchase breads here. But, there is another building on the right now as well which also has food, but different food and an upstairs that is a bit more picturesque for eating in.

You can buy from either building and sit in either as well and go back and forth. We bought the original danpatppang in the original store and then went to the second to buy a great bacon/egg “pastry” and coffees. Definitely a great breakfast stop. I’ve heard there can be lines out the door at times. We went two days in a row for breakfast and walked right in, got our food and had no line at all. That said, we were  bright and early.

• Address: 177 Jungang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전북 군산시 중앙로 177)

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Miz Cafe (미즈카페)

Established in 1930, this building was originally used for a trade company. In 2012, the original building was relocated to where it currently stands and was remodeled into a cafe. Visitors can order drinks downstairs and then take off their shoes to go up to find traditional floor seating. It’s one of the more popular cafes in the area and very beautiful inside.

• Address: 232 Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전북 군산시 해망로 232)
• Hours: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm

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Old Brick (올드브릭)

This factory turned cafe is large and has plenty of space to spread out. The upstairs area is a “no kids” zone FYI, but there is also a rooftop if you’re sans children. There’s a great industrial vibe and good drinks. It suits the area and has a lot of antiques scattered both inside and out. Stop in for a break as you walk around snapping pics of the neighborhood.

• Address: 235 Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전북 군산시 해망로 235)
• Hours: Every day 10:00am ~ 10:00pm

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We stopped into Gunsan after a stop just north in Seocheon-gun for a really great couple of days before we moved on during our Jeolla road trip and went to Chaesukgang seaside and cliffs next. Make the stops and see what there is to see.

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