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Voykit pocket guide · South Korea
Naju
나주
Spend a half‑day in Naju for its historic gates, pear museum and river park; stay elsewhere (Gwangju or Muan) if you need a night.
Naju sits in mid‑west Jeollanam‑do, bordering Gwangju. Its main draws are the traditional city gates, Naju Pear Museum and riverside parks. With good bus links to Gwangju and Mokpo, a brief visit fits a day‑trip itinerary.
- Country
- South Korea
- Local name
- 나주
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cold, occasional snow)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- KRW
- Money
- Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and many market stalls; carry ₩30,000–50,000 in cash for street food, small markets and temple donations.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₩30,000–45,000 excl. bed · Mid ₩45,000–70,000 excl. bed · High ₩70,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- SK Telecom, KT and LG U+ sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at airport arrivals; a passport is required, and data-only plans are cheapest.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Travel helpline 1330
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 220 V · 60 Hz · Round two-pin European plugs fit; US and UK plugs need an adapter, and US-only appliances need a converter.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and cafés: No tip; a service charge appears only in top hotels.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Hotel porter: Not expected; ₩1,000–2,000 in luxury hotels if you want.; Private guide or driver: Not expected; ₩10,000–20,000 or a meal is a thank-you.
- Water
- Officially safe from the tap; most people drink filtered water, and restaurants serve it free. Bottles cost ₩800–1,500 at convenience stores.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in every subway station; paper goes in the toilet in new buildings, in the bin where a sign asks. Bidets are common.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Taxi (anywhere in city) | ₩5,000–7,000 |
| Bus 160 fare | ₩1,000 |
| Pear museum entry | Free |
| Bitgaram Observatory entry | ₩5,000 |
| Fermented skate dish | ₩12,000–18,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KWJ · Gwangju Airport
- Nearest airport, 45 km (28 mi) north; bus 180 connects to Naju.Nearest airport, 28 mi (45 km) north; bus 180 connects to Naju.
Typical fares
- Bus 180 Naju‑Gwangju
- about ₩8,000 round‑trip (check)
- Taxi within Naju
- under ₩7,000 for any short ride (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
City taxis cost under ₩7,000 for any destination; the 160 city bus runs for ₩1,000 and stops at all major sights. Walk where possible.
See and do
Known for
- Naju Pear Museum
- Traditional city gates
- Yeongsan River Garden
- Bitgaram Lake Observatory
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gwangju | Bus 180, about 45 min | ≈1 h |
| Mokpo | Express bus or KTX via Naju station, 45–60 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Love motels (various)
- Plentiful but basic; for comfort choose hotels in nearby Gwangju or Muan.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | 죄송합니다joesonghamnida |
| Thank you | 감사합니다kamsahamnida |
| How much is this? | 얼마예요?eolmayeyo? |
| Where is the restroom? | 화장실 어디에요?hwajangsil eodieyo? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A slight bow with a 'annyeonghaseyo'; handshake with the right hand, left hand touching the right forearm; avoid: Hugs and cheek kisses with people you have just met
- Age and rank: Expect to be asked your age; it sets how people speak to you. Let the eldest sit and start first; avoid: Calling older people by their given name
- Handing things: Two hands for money, cards, gifts and drinks; avoid: Passing things with one hand to older people
- Subway: Quiet voices, bags off seats, queue at the marked lines; avoid: Priority and pink pregnancy seats, even when empty
- Home visit: Shoes off; bring fruit or a boxed gift; refuse once before accepting; avoid: Writing names in red ink — it is used for the dead
- Temples: Covered shoulders and knees; bow at the main hall; avoid: Stepping on thresholds; loud talk; pointing at Buddha statues
- Numbers: Know that 4 is unlucky; buildings may show F instead of a fourth floor; avoid: Giving gifts in sets of four
- Sensitive topics: Listen; follow your host's lead; avoid: Comparing Korea with Japan or China casually; jokes about the North, the Japanese colonial era, or plastic surgery
Scams and watch-outs
- Taxi fares are cheap but drivers may overcharge tourists; confirm price before boarding.
- Some attractions (e.g., Bitgaram Observatory) have seasonal hours; check before visiting.
Naju is generally safe; keep an eye on taxi fares and verify opening hours for seasonal sites.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Naju yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Naju Pear Museum
- Traditional city gates
- Yeongsan River Garden
- Bitgaram Lake Observatory
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Naju official website: www.naju.go.kr
- Wikivoyage: Naju, revision 5219198 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5219198
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/naju). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.