Gunsan Mallangi Village Review: Parking, Cafes, & Nearby Sights
Discover Gunsan's charming Mallangi Village, a historic hillside gem perfect for a leisurely stroll. Get insider tips on parking, nearby cafes, and must-see attractions.
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Discover Gunsan's charming Mallangi Village, a historic hillside gem perfect for a leisurely stroll. Get insider tips on parking, nearby cafes, and must-see attractions.
Here's my review of Gunsan Mallangi Village, one of the must-visit spots on your Gunsan travel itinerary!
It's nestled on a hillside, but the slope isn't steep at all,
making it the perfect place for a leisurely stroll.
In this post, I'll share everything from what you can see and do in Mallangi Village to practical information like
parking, and recommendations for nearby cafes and restaurants,
all based on my personal visit.
Location | 34-5 Sinheung-dong, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do * 3-minute walk to Sinheung-dong Japanese House * 6-minute walk to Chowon Photo Studio |
Operating Hours | Always open However, individual spaces may have separate operating hours, so it's best to check beforehand. |
Features | ✔️ Perfect to visit as part of a tour of nearby attractions ✔️ Offers fun activities like makgeolli (rice wine) brewery experiences ✔️ Approximately 1 hour for a full tour |
The name 'Mallangi' comes from the Jeollado dialect, meaning 'hillside' or 'mountain slope.'
During the Japanese colonial period, Japanese people resided here, and after the Korean War, it became home to refugees.
While Mallangi Village might feel a bit short if you visit it on its own,
it's perfectly complemented by the Sinheung-dong Japanese House, just a 3-minute walk away,
and Chowon Photo Studio, a 6-minute walk, making them great to visit together.
For parking near Gunsan Mallangi Village, you can use Haesindong 5 Parking Lot / Haesindong 3 Parking Lot / Public Parking Lot!
Haesindong 5 Parking Lot is closer to Kim Su-mi's Birthplace and the Japanese House, while the Public Parking Lot generally has more available spaces.
I recommend parking here and exploring in this order:
Mallangi Village ▶ Sinheung-dong Japanese House ▶ Chowon Photo Studio
✅ Mallangi Village Highlights
Nostalgia Exhibition Hall, Makgeolli Brewery, Magic Show, Kim Su-mi's Birthplace, Murals
* If you're not participating in experiences, about an hour is enough for a visit.
* It's also a fantastic spot for sunset views and nightscapes!
Gunsan is a city where many traces of its modern history remain vibrant.
Mallangi Village is decorated with a similar concept,
and even offers experiential activities like makgeolli making and magic shows.
The first thing you'll encounter before heading up the hill is the birthplace of the renowned actress, Kim Su-mi.
Personally, the vibrant murals caught my eye even more than the house itself.
It's truly remarkable to be the protagonist of scenes remembered across generations.
As you begin your ascent up the hill,
you'll spot the Makgeolli Brewery and a venue for Magic Shows.
Especially at the makgeolli brewery, you can also experience making makgeolli,
and even savor Haemul Pajeon (seafood pancake) and Hongeo Muchim (spicy skate salad).
* Brewery Experience: Weekends, 10 AM - 5 PM
* Price: ~$10
In Malraengi Village's largest space, the Memory Exhibition Hall,
you'll find street scenes from the 70s and 80s, just like those in K-dramas and movies.
Gunsan has many places with a similar nostalgic vibe throughout,
so it felt like it all blended in perfectly, not at all out of place.
At the top of Malraengi Village, there's also the Freedom Theater.
It's a place that recreates the look of old theaters,
and it was fun to also see film locations within Gunsan.
If you walk around to the back, you'll spot some adorable murals.
They're not just simple paintings;
some even have real objects attached, making them three-dimensional and quite engaging!
I visited during the day, but since Malraengi Village is located on higher ground,
it's known as a fantastic spot for sunset and night views, so a visit around dusk comes highly recommended!
Some of the must-visit cafes and restaurants near Malraengi Village include
the iconic Lee Sung Dang Bakery and Hanilok Restaurant.
📌
Hanilok
A 6-minute walk from Malraengi Village
Their signature dishes are Beef Radish Soup and Yukhoe Bibimbap (Beef Tartare Mixed Rice)!
They open early enough for breakfast,
but even in the early morning, you might encounter a wait.
Hanilok has limited parking,
so it's recommended to leave your car at the Malraengi Village parking lot mentioned above
and walk down.
📌
Lee Sung Dang Bakery
A 10-minute walk from Malraengi Village
While the map shows an 11-minute walk,
you can actually reach it in just 5-10 minutes from the entrance of Malraengi Village.
It's famous for its bakery, but note that there's also a cafe!
If there's no seating available, you can buy bread from Lee Sung Dang
and enjoy it at Café Choa nearby.
* There are also cafes inside Malraengi Village,
but they weren't open when I visited, so I didn't get to check them out.
While it might not have an abundance of major attractions on its own,
Gunsan Mallang-i Village
is a spot that **can truly enrich your Gunsan adventure!**
Since many visitors opt for a quick day trip by car,
I've included **parking details, along with nearby cafes and restaurants**
so you can enjoy your Gunsan trip even more easily and fully! :)
Near Mallang-i Village, you can use Haesindong 5 Parking Lot, Haesindong 3 Parking Lot, and the Public Parking Lot. Among these, the Public Parking Lot usually has more spaces.
Shinheung-dong Japanese House is a 3-minute walk away, and Chowon Photo Studio is a 6-minute walk away, making them great places to visit together. After parking, we recommend exploring in the order of Mallang-i Village ▶ Shinheung-dong Japanese House ▶ Chowon Photo Studio.
The makgeolli brewery experience operates on weekends from 10 AM to 5 PM. The experience costs ~$10, and you can also enjoy seafood pancake (haemul pajeon) and seasoned skate (hongeo muchim).
Hanilok is a 6-minute walk from Mallang-i Village, and Lee Sung Dang is a 5-10 minute walk away. At Hanilok, you can enjoy beef radish soup (sogogi muguk) and yukhoe bibimbap (beef tartare bibimbap), while at Lee Sung Dang, you can enjoy bread and beverages.
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