Chuncheon

Chuncheon
춘천시
Municipal City
Korean transcription(s)
 • Hangul 춘천시
 • Hanja 春川市
 • Revised Romanization Chuncheon-si
 • McCune-Reischauer Ch'unch'ŏn-si

Emblem of Chuncheon

Location in South Korea
Coordinates: 37°52′N 127°44′E / 37.867°N 127.733°E / 37.867; 127.733
Country  South Korea
Region Gwandong
Administrative divisions 1 eup, 9 myeon, 15 dong
Area
 • Total 1,116.43 km2 (431.06 sq mi)
Population (Feb 2012)
 • Total 273,130
 • Density 225/km2 (580/sq mi)
 • Dialect Gangwon

Chuncheon (Hangul: 춘천; hanja: 春川市; RR: Chuncheon-si) is the capital of Gangwon Province, South Korea. The city lies in the north of the county, located in a basin formed by the Soyang River and Han River. There are some large lakes around the city, most notably Lake Soyang and Lake Uiam. The area is renowned for its small river islands, such as Sangjungdo, Ha-Jungdo, Bungeodo, and Wido.

It is a popular destination among east Asian tourists as it was featured in the popular Korean drama Winter Sonata. It is where the resort island of Namiseom is located.

Chuncheon is the hometown of association football player Son Heung-min, who current plays for Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in the Premier League.

History

The area now occupied by the city was first settled about 1000 years ago. In 637 AD the city was called Usooju. In 757 AD it was renamed Saku and again in 940 AD as Chunju (春州) before receiving its current name in 1413. In 1896, Chuncheon became the capital city of Gangwon province. The city was largely destroyed during the Korean War during the Battle of Chuncheon.

Uiam Dam on the Bukhan River was completed in 1967.[1] In 1995 Chuncheon city was merged with the government of the surrounding Chuncheon county.

Culture

In the spring, the Chuncheon International Mime Festival is held, as well as the Spring Season Art Festival. In the summer, the Chuncheon Puppet Festival takes place. There is also a Makguksu festival; a cold noodle dish that originated in Chuncheon. Also celebrated in the summer is the International Animation Festival. The city has had its own annual marathon race since 1946; the Chuncheon Marathon is held every October. In winter, snow and ice festivals are organized. Currently, MAC Architects-Consultants Group Ltd. (명승건축그룹) is building the Design and Arts Arcadia of Myungseung in Chuncheon.

According to the legend surrounding Cheongpyeongsa temple in Chuncheon-si, a man loved a princess so much that he became a snake and wouldn't leave her alone. When she begged leave to collect rice from the temple, the snake let her go but then went looking for her, only to be struck dead by lightning. The princess then buried him at the temple.[2]

Food

The city was historically known as a chicken farming region and is famous for "dak galbi", which translates as chicken ribs. It consists of chicken, sliced cabbage, sweet potatoes, tteok (rice cakes), and scallions, mixed with a spicy sauce heavy on gochujang. It is usually cooked in a big iron pan in the center of the table, but the original method is over charcoal. Despite the name, the dish is traditionally made from leg meat, not ribs.[3] There is even a street in the city dedicated to restaurants serving the dish, with some 25 restaurants populating the area.[4]

Tourism

Festivities

Cultural Festival

Local Festivals

Leisure Sports Festival

Chuncheon city tour bus

Chuncheon city tour bus runs on April to November.[19] The bus offers different course through Monday to Sunday. If you use city tour bus, they offer some discount admission fee.

Economy

Chuncheon is the market center for agricultural produce from the surrounding area. The main products are rice and soybeans. Since the 1960s light industry has become dominant in the city. After the huge success of the TV drama Winter Sonata, the city has also become a major "Korean Wave" (Han-ryu, 한류) tourist destination, attracting visitors from around East Asia.[20]

There are hydroelectric powerplants in the area around Chuncheon. The Soyang Dam is the largest sand gravel dam in East Asia.[21]

Population

The following table is about transition of population per five year.[22]

YearTotal Population
1965191,576
1970209,821
1975204,246
1980210,985
1985213,198
1990217,869
1995233,016
2000251,991
2005256,455
2010272,739

Education

Chuncheon is home to 5 universities: Chuncheon National University of Education, established in 1939, Kangwon National University, founded 1947, and Hallym University, established in 1982, Hallym Sungsim University, Korea Polytechnic 3 University.

Transportation

Chuncheon Station, before reconstruction

As of June 2014, there are two train stations in Chuncheon suburban area: the terminus of the Gyeongchun Line, Chuncheon Station, and the busier Namchuncheon Station. Gimyujeong, Baegyang-ri, Gulbongsan and Gangchon Station are located in rural Chuncheon that attracts tourists, especially Gangchon is one of the most favorite recreational destination for University students. This is a double track rapid transit commuter train that connects to massively commuted Yongsan, Cheongnyangni and Sangbong Stations in Seoul. On December 21, 2010, a new realigned twin track electrified line has been constructed, and several new or transferable stations are still being constructed to replace the existing halts in outside Chuncheon, such as Cheonmasan, Sinnae, and Byeollae.

Chuncheon is the northern terminus of the publicly funded Jungang Expressway, and the main destination of the privately run Seoul-Chuncheon Expressway, as also known as Gyeongchun Expressway that connects to Seoul and Hongcheon-east.[23] Chuncheon Bus Terminal connects to all major cities in mainland South Korea.

On National roads-wise, Chuncheon is also the main strategic destination that connects between Changwon to Cheolwon of Route(Number) 5, Incheon to Goseong of 46, and Cheolwon to Yangyang of 56.

There are also river transport facilities in Soyangho (Lake Soyang), which connects to Cheongpyeongsa (청평사, Buddhist) temple.[21]

Climate

Chuncheon
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
20
 
 
1
−10
 
 
24
 
 
5
−7
 
 
42
 
 
11
−1
 
 
62
 
 
19
4
 
 
104
 
 
24
11
 
 
123
 
 
28
17
 
 
384
 
 
29
21
 
 
318
 
 
30
21
 
 
161
 
 
26
15
 
 
44
 
 
20
7
 
 
45
 
 
11
0
 
 
21
 
 
4
−6
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

Chuncheon has cold winters and hot summers. The lowest measured temperature was −27.9 °C (−18 °F) (February 6, 1969),[24] and the highest was 36.8 °C (98 °F) (Aug 5, 2012).[25] The annual precipitation is an average of 1347.3 mm.

Climate data for Chuncheon (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 1.3
(34.3)		 5.1
(41.2)		 11.1
(52)		 19.1
(66.4)		 23.9
(75)		 27.6
(81.7)		 29.1
(84.4)		 29.8
(85.6)		 25.5
(77.9)		 19.6
(67.3)		 11.0
(51.8)		 3.8
(38.8)		 17.2
(63)
Daily mean °C (°F) −4.6
(23.7)		 −1.3
(29.7)		 4.5
(40.1)		 11.6
(52.9)		 17.1
(62.8)		 21.7
(71.1)		 24.5
(76.1)		 24.6
(76.3)		 19.4
(66.9)		 12.5
(54.5)		 5.0
(41)		 −1.7
(28.9)		 11.1
(52)
Average low °C (°F) −9.9
(14.2)		 −6.9
(19.6)		 −1.3
(29.7)		 4.4
(39.9)		 10.8
(51.4)		 16.5
(61.7)		 20.8
(69.4)		 20.8
(69.4)		 14.8
(58.6)		 7.1
(44.8)		 0.1
(32.2)		 −6.4
(20.5)		 5.9
(42.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 20.3
(0.799)		 23.8
(0.937)		 41.7
(1.642)		 62.3
(2.453)		 104.0
(4.094)		 123.1
(4.846)		 383.8
(15.11)		 317.5
(12.5)		 160.9
(6.335)		 44.3
(1.744)		 44.7
(1.76)		 20.9
(0.823)		 1,347.3
(53.043)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 6.8 6.3 7.8 7.3 9.1 10.1 15.5 13.7 8.2 6.0 7.9 7.3 106
Average relative humidity (%) 69.3 65.4 63.1 59.2 66.2 71.8 79.6 79.8 78.0 75.3 73.1 71.7 71.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 165.7 172.4 197.6 215.5 221.3 200.6 144.2 169.1 173.8 174.1 141.3 148.7 2,124.2
Source: Korea Meteorological Administration[26]

Sports

International competitions

High1 (Korean: 하이원) is a professional ice hockey team based in Chuncheon. The club is a member of the Asia League Ice Hockey, which is played among South Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Russian teams. High 1 was formed in 2004 and its home is currently located in Eui-am Ice Rink in Chuncheon.

Domestic competitions

Chuncheon's association football club Chuncheon FC is a member of Challengers League, top amateur football competition and the third tier of South Korean football league system. The club was found on 27 February 2010 with its home of Chuncheon Stadium.

Sister cities

Chuncheon-si protested against the enactment of "Day of Takeshima" ordinance of Shimane Prefecture , which expressed dispute over the Dokdo Islands, and announced suspension of its sisterhood relationship with Kakamigahara in March, 2005.[27]

City State Country Year launched Year terminated
Higashichikuma District Nagano Prefecture Japan Japan June 8, 1984
Hōfu Yamaguchi Prefecture Japan Japan October 29, 1991
Kakamigahara Gifu Prefecture Japan Japan October 31, 2003 June 25, 2005
Addis Ababa Ethiopia Addis Ababa (State) Ethiopia Ethiopia May 2, 2004
Nanyang Henan China China September 15, 2012

See also

References

  1. ↑ Young-kwon Kim; Korea (South). Haeoe Kongbogwan; Soo-jung Lee (1978). A Handbook of Korea. Korean Overseas Information Service, Ministry of Culture and Information. p. 576. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  2. ↑ Cin Woo Lee "Simply stunning: 33 incredible Korean temples" CNN Go. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-12
  3. ↑ http://www.hansik.org/zh/restaurant/recommendRestaurantView.do?fboardId=1077
  4. ↑ Chuncheon's Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables), Tour2Korea.com, Retrieved on April 14, 2006
  5. ↑ http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/open_content/page/sub02/sub02.asp?Mcode=20105&cont_code=61&pmode=content_view
  6. ↑ http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/open_content/page/sub02/sub02.asp?Mcode=20106
  7. ↑ http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/open_content/page/sub02/sub02.asp?Mcode=20101
  8. ↑ http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/open_content/page/sub02/sub02.asp?Mcode=20107
  9. ↑ http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/open_content/page/sub02/sub02.asp?Mcode=20112
  10. ↑ http://citf.or.kr/english/
  11. ↑ http://gimc.or.kr/hb/eng/
  12. ↑ http://www.mdfestival.com/
  13. ↑ http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/open_content/page/sub02/sub02.asp?Mcode=20111
  14. ↑ http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/open_content/page/sub02/sub02.asp?Mcode=20603
  15. ↑ http://www.koreaopentkd.org/
  16. ↑ http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/open_content/page/sub02/sub02.asp?Mcode=20604
  17. ↑ http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/open_content/page/sub02/sub02.asp?Mcode=20602
  18. ↑ http://hoban.wizrun.com/
  19. ↑ http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/open_content/page/sub02/sub02.asp?Mcode=20801&cont_code=262
  20. ↑ A promo page of Gangwon Drama Gallery, Chuncheon City, 2005
  21. 1 2 Lake Soyang (Gangwon province)
  22. ↑ "Population and housing cencus".
  23. ↑ In contrast of private-owned Seoul-Chuncheon, The current line of Chuncheon Junction to East Hongcheon interchange is run by KEC, publicly.
  24. ↑ 전년 일최저기온 (℃) 최저순위, 지점:101 지명:춘천 Korea Meteorological Administration
  25. ↑ 전년 일최고기온 (℃) 최고순위, 지점:101 지명:춘천 Korea Meteorological Administration
  26. ↑ "평년값자료(1981–2010) 춘천(101)". Korea Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  27. ↑ "Chuncheon of Winter Sonata also suspended exchanges of the sisterhood with Kakamigahara (冬ソナ・春川市も交流中断 姉妹関係の各務原市などと)" (in Japanese). Kyodo News. 2005-03-18.

External links

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Coordinates: 37°52′N 127°44′E / 37.867°N 127.733°E / 37.867; 127.733

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