I had a chance to walk around Yangrim-dong, for the first time. The first images of Sajik Park, Gwangju Park, and Gwangju River I had were that of typical 1980s scenery. I went through many curved alleys and up to the top of Sajik Park where an octagon shaped pavilion is located. This view definitely reminded me of pictures from the 1980s and 1990s. If you see pictures of early 1990s, you can easily find people gathering around the pavilion and buying cotton candy and holding balloons. This is what you can imagine when you visit Yangrim-dong area.

Sajic-dan, where people used to hold Christian services, is also near to the pavilion. This ‘dan’ brings me back to the past. I was filled with nostalgia on seeing the old-style view. When I got to the top of the hill, the other connects to Honam Theological University. On the University campus there is a with one side covered with glass, so if you sit in the café located in this building you can see the panorama of Mt. Mudeung spread in front of you. I was glad to find this nice spot in the middle of Gwangju.

More than 100 years of the modern history of Gwangju remains just as it was 100 years ago. A Western style house stands in a yard surrounded by a botanical garden. If you look in the corner of the garden, there is a swing hanging down from a tree. From that point you will find yourself surrounded by bamboo. This bamboo is said to have been used to make arrow shafts. Down a narrow path, if you visit there in winter, you will find red berries hanging on the trees, these are Christmas holly trees (in Korean we call it 호랑가시나무). It is very rare to see this kind of trees live as long as they do in Yangrim-dong. Some trees are over 400 years old. I will return in the winter to see red holy berries.

If you continue to walk along the path, you can see people reconstructing buildings. Ironically, they wanted the buildings reconstructed in old styles in order to remember and honor the important history of the area.. Yangrim-dong is the place where you can find the lost 100 years of Gwangju, Not many people know this good place is nearby downtown in Gwangju. Feel free and feel the loneliness of the past