From the 1992 Zoo to the 2002 Golf Practice Range: A One-Day Route through 960,000㎡ Uchi Park

The Structure of Uchi Park, Completed in Four Stages After Its Designation in 1987

Uchi Park is a multifunctional park that received official park designation through Ministry of Construction Notice No. 467 on September 25, 1987. Family Land, the amusement facilities district, opened first on July 6, 1991, followed by the zoo on May 4, 1992, the botanical garden on September 12, 1994, and the golf driving range on August 7, 2002. It is important to remember when planning your daily route that this is not simply a zoo, but a park built by adding recreational, botanical, and sports facilities in stages.

The official park area is 968,868㎡. Of this, the directly operated zoo and botanical garden areas account for 123,712㎡, while privately commissioned facilities include 133,262㎡ of recreational facilities, 42,962㎡ of sports facilities, and 71,022㎡ of convenience facilities. On the park map, the parking lot, drive-in theater, tennis courts, and golf driving range are positioned to the left of the main gate, while the duck boat area, lawn plaza, food trucks, and caravan campground are on the right. The zoo entrance is located above the plaza.

Free Zoo Open 09:00–18:00: Why You Must Enter Before 17:00

Uchi Park Zoo is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00, and entry is permitted until 17:00, one hour before closing. There are no regular closing days; it is open year-round. Admission to the zoo is free, and visitors can enter without a ticket, so be careful not to confuse the zoo admission fee with the paid-use fees for Family Land’s amusement facilities.

The park’s main contact number is 062-613-5860, and the General Affairs Team at the Uchi Park Management Office can be reached at 062-613-5861. Inquiries about the Zoo Career Exploration Class are handled separately at 062-613-5894. The official website is https://www.gwangju.go.kr/uchipark/ . It is safest to check announcements there again before departing for seasonal programs, animal ecology talks, and facility changes.

• Zoo visiting hours: 09:00–18:00
• Last admission: 17:00
• Closed: Open year-round
• Zoo admission: Free
• Main contact: 062-613-5860

A Zoo Circuit Following the Map, from the Main Gate Plaza to the Large Waterfowl Aviary

The official map presents a clockwise route from the zoo entrance, passing the management office and continuing in the order of the Tropical Bird House, Marine Animal House, Elephant and Giraffe House, Kangaroo House, Family Animal House, Zebra House, and Hippopotamus House. The route then connects to the Raptor House, Dog House, Mouflon House, Small Carnivore House, Pheasant House, Monkey House, Bison House, Deer House, Lion and Tiger House, Jaguar House, Bear House, Reptile House, botanical garden, and Large Waterfowl Aviary.

If you are visiting only the zoo, it is better to arrive well before the 17:00 last admission and divide your walk between the animal exhibits and the botanical garden. The park is large, and facilities are scattered even between the main gate plaza and the zoo entrance. If you also plan to ride the amusement attractions, finishing the zoo first and then checking Family Land’s operating hours and separate admission tickets will help reduce unnecessary backtracking.

1,172-Space Parking Lot and 677 Uchi-ro: What to Know Before Arriving by Car

Uchi Park’s road-name address is 677 Uchi-ro, Buk-gu, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, and official tourism information states that parking is available for 1,172 vehicles. Set your navigation destination to “Uchi Park” or “677 Uchi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju.” Because the parking lot is shared by zoo and Family Land visitors, even those visiting only for the free zoo should allow ample time for entering and exiting during peak amusement-facility seasons.

According to the publicly available parking information, small vehicles with fewer than 25 seats cost 1,000 won for up to five hours, while large vehicles with 25 or more seats cost 2,000 won for up to five hours. For additional time, small vehicles are charged 400 won per hour and large vehicles 700 won per hour. Compact cars, vehicles for persons with disabilities, and vehicles belonging to national merit recipients may qualify for discounts, so confirm the required documentation and latest conditions on site or with the management office.

Asiatic Black Bear, Mandarin Duck, and Otter Conservation, and the 2015 Animal House Renovations

Uchi Zoo protects and studies endangered native animals, including Asiatic black bears, mandarin ducks, and otters, and operates educational programs based on this work. The park’s management organization includes an Animal Welfare Team and a Veterinary Care Team. Its primary duties include caring for and treating exhibit animals, operating animal-behavior enrichment programs, and providing wildlife education.

Korea Tourism Organization tourism information explains that the New Monkey House, Marine Animal House, Jaguar House, Reptile House, and Small Carnivore and Mouflon Houses were renovated in 2015. Rather than assuming that every animal house was built at the same time or in the same style, it is best to follow the viewing order shown on the official map and read the information panels about each animal’s behavior and habitat conditions along the way.

Separating Reservations for Spring and Fall Talks in 2026 from School Group Career Exploration

Animal ecology talks, school-break animal classes, and the Zoo Career Exploration Class operate separately from general admission. The special spring programs for 2026 were announced as activities that Uchi Zoo visitors could join on site without reservations during April and May, but the seasonal event lineup may change. If you are visiting specifically for a program, check the notices for that day and include it in your schedule.

The 2026 Zoo Career Exploration Class is for middle and high school groups, with no more than 20 participants per session, eight sessions in total, and operating hours of 14:00–16:30. The first half of the year is scheduled for May 13, 14, 20, and 21, while the second half is scheduled for October 14, 15, 21, and 22. Schools must apply on a first-come, first-served basis through the Dream Path online network. Do not mistake this for a permanent hands-on activity that individual family visitors can join on site.

Uchi Park Information on Wheelchair Rental, Accessible Restrooms, and Low-Floor Buses

Korea Tourism Organization accessibility information lists accessible restrooms, designated accessible parking spaces, step-free main entrances, low-floor bus access, wheelchair rental, a nursing room, and convenience services for visitors with visual or hearing impairments at Uchi Park Zoo. Before visiting, it is advisable to confirm the number of wheelchairs available and the same-day rental procedure by calling the Uchi Park Management Office at 062-613-5860.

The official park map marks the management office to the right of the zoo entrance, as well as restrooms and snack shops near the entrance and inside the zoo. If you are using a stroller or wheelchair, take into account the route from the main gate to the zoo entrance and the slopes between the animal houses. Immediately after entering, ask at the management office which viewing direction is easiest to navigate.

A Buk-gu Day Itinerary Combined with the National Gwangju Science Museum: Follow One Direction Rather Than Re-entering After a Meal

The day trip proposed by Gwangju Tourism connects Uchi Park with Yangsan Daebak Lettuce Tempura at 34 Yangsan-ro, Buk-gu, followed by the National Gwangju Science Museum at 235 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu. Although both Uchi Park and the science museum are in Buk-gu, their operating hours and closing days are separate. When combining them in one day, it is better to schedule the zoo in the morning or early afternoon by working backward from Uchi Park Zoo’s 17:00 last admission.

In addition to the zoo, Uchi Park contains facilities with different purposes, including Family Land, a botanical garden, a duck boat area, a golf driving range, and a caravan campground. The zoo is free, but Family Land rides and the campground operate under separate products and rules. Rather than trying to fit every facility into one day, it is more realistic to choose the zoo and one paid facility.