Gwangju shops on two speeds: century-old markets where Jeolla farmers still sell by the handful, and the artist-run studios of Daein and Yangnim-dong. Between them sit Chungjang-ro's underground arcade and Songjeong's restored 1913 market street.
Gwangju's earliest-rising market opens around 04:00 along the old Namgwangju rail line, with roughly 300 stalls of Jeolla greens, dried anchovy and sesame oil pressed to order. Most vendors close by 14:00 and prefer cash.
A working five-day market in Buk-gu that swells on dates ending in 2, 4, 7 and 9, when mountain-village growers spread mushrooms, gosari and homemade doenjang on tarps. The permanent arcade trades daily 08:00-20:00.
A half-empty produce market that artists colonised in 2008. Around 40 studios now occupy the old stalls between fishmongers, selling prints, ceramics and hand-bound books; Mite-Ugro residency space anchors the north aisle. Shops 11:00-18:00, most closed Mondays.
Two blocks north of Geumnam-ro lined with calligraphy suppliers, seal carvers and antique dealers. Brush shops stock goat- and weasel-hair haetae brushes, hanji paper by the sheet, and ink stones from Boseong. Most open 10:00-19:00.
Gwangju's main retail spine since the Japanese colonial period, running from Geumnam-ro to Gwangju Stream. Independent boutiques, Korean streetwear and shoe shops occupy the alleys behind the chain frontage; most open 11:00 and trade to 21:00.
A 1980s subterranean arcade of about 300 units running beneath Geumnam-ro between Culture Complex and Geumnamno 4-ga stations. Accessories, hosiery, phone cases and cut-price cosmetics, all fluorescent-lit and open 10:30-21:00.
A low-rise residential grid east of the ACC where 1970s houses have become concept stores, ceramic studios and roasteries. Stock leans towards Korean-made homeware, candles and stationery. Shops generally 12:00-20:00, many closed Mondays.
Attached to U Square at the express bus terminal, this is the city's flagship department store — designer floors above, and a basement food hall stocking Jeolla specialities like Damyang bamboo salt and Yeongam fig jam. Open 10:30-20:00.
On Mudeungsan's northern slope, this 15th-century kiln site supplied buncheong ware to the Joseon court and is Historic Site No. 141. The adjacent Gwangju Museum kiln shop and two working potters sell modern buncheong bowls and cups.
Yangnim-dong's alley of salvaged clocks, radios and enamel signs, formalised in 2019 into a craft street with about 20 resident makers working in leather, metal and dyed fabric. Workshops open 10:00-18:00, closed Mondays.
A municipal complex in Nam-gu with a kimchi museum, hands-on making room and a shop selling vacuum-sealed Jeolla-style kimchi, jeotgal and gochujang made to Gwangju recipes. Open 09:00-18:00, closed Mondays.
A 1913 market beside Gwangju Songjeong KTX station, rebuilt in 2016 with each of its 50-odd shops keeping its founding year on the signboard. Croquettes, Yugwa rice snacks and small-batch makgeolli make the easiest last-stop gifts. Open 11:00-23:00.