Chuncheon
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Chuncheon (Chuncheon-si) is the capital of Gangwon Province, South Korea. The city lies in the north of the country, 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, Bungeo Island, or Wido.
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[edit] History
The area now occupied by the city was first settled about 1000 years ago by tribal communities. In 637 the city was called Usooju. In 757 it was renamed Saku and again in 940 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, but has since been reconstructed.
In 1995 Chuncheon city merged politically with the government of the surrounding Chuncheon county.
[edit] Culture
In the spring, the Chuncheon International Mime Festival is organized, as well as the Spring Season Art Festival. In the summer, the Chuncheon Puppet Festival takes place. There is also a festival for Makguksu, a food that Chuncheon is famous for. Also celebrated in the summer, is the International Animation Festival. Every autumn, Chuncheon Marathontakes place. In winter, snow and ice festivals are organized.
[edit] Food
Chuncheon is famous for its "Dak Galbi" (Hangul: 닭갈비), or chicken ribs. Despite the name, the dish is usually made from an entire chicken, not just the ribs. It consists of chicken, Chinese cabbage, sweet potatoes, tteok (rice cakes), and scallions, mixed with a spicy sauce and usually cooked in the center of the table.
The city was historically known as a centre for chicken farms. There is even a street in the city dedicated to restaurants serving the dish, with some 25 restaurants populating the area.[2]
The other major dish famous in Chuncheon is makguksu.
[edit] Economy
Chuncheon is the market centre for agricultural produce from the surrounding lands. The main products are rice and soybeans. Since the 1960s light industry has become dominant in the city. However, after its huge success of airing TV drama called Winter Sonata, this city has become a major "Korean wave" (Han-ryu, 한류) tour destination. Most of tourists from the East Asia come to visit.[3]
There are hydroelectric powerplants in the area around Chuncheon. The Soyang River Dam is the largest sand gravel dam in East Asia.[4]
[edit] Education
Chuncheon is home to three universities: Chuncheon National University of Education, established in 1939, Kangwon National University, founded 1947, and Hallym University, established in 1982.
[edit] Transportation
Chuncheon is at the end of the Gyeongchun Railway Line. This is mostly single track connecting the city to Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul. At present (April 2007) a new realigned twin track electrified line is under construction, several new stations are being constructed to replace the existing halts. It is also the northern terminus of the Jungang Expressway, and various highways connect it to the outlying regions of Gangwon. There are also river transport facilities in Soyangho(Lake Soyang), which connects Yanggu and Cheongpyeongsa (청평사, Buddhist) temple.[5]
[edit] Climate
The average temperature in the city is 10.9°C. The lowest measured temperature was −27.9°C, and the highest was 36.6°C. There is an average of 1,296 mm of annual rainfall.
[edit] Sister cities
Chuncheon-si protested against the enactment of "Day of Takeshima" ordinance of Shimane Prefecture and announced to suspend the sisterhood relationship with Kakamigahara in March, 2005. [6]
Higashichikuma District, Nagano (1984. 06. 08.)- Hōfu, Yamaguchi (1991. 10. 29.)
- Kakamigahara, Gifu (2003. 10. 31.)
Addis Ababa (2004. 05. 02.)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Population(As of July, 2007)(Korean), Chuncheon Shibo(city news), Chuncheon City, Retrieved on August 27, 2007
- ^ Chuncheon's Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables), Tour2Korea.com, Retrieved on April 14, 2006
- ^ A promo page of Gangwon Drama Gallery, Chuncheon City, 2005
- ^ Lake Soyang (Gangwon province)
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ 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) (Japanese). Kyodo News (2005-03-18).
[edit] External links
- Official Homepage of Chuncheon City (English)
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