Gangneung

Gangneung 강릉시
—  Municipal City  —
Korean transcription(s)
- Hangul	강릉시
- Hanja	江陵市
- Revised Romanization	Gangneung-si
- McCune-Reischauer	Kangnŭng-si
Emblem of Gangneung
Gangneung Location in South Korea
Coordinates: 37°45′N 128°54′E / 37.75°N 128.9°E / 37.75; 128.9
Country	South Korea
Region	Gwandong
Administrative divisions	1 eup, 7 myeon, 13 dong
Area
- Total	1,040 km2 (401.5 sq mi)
Population (2006)
- Total	229,869
- Density	221/km2 (572.4/sq mi)
- Dialect	Gangwon

Gangneung is a city in Gangwon-do, on the east coast of South Korea. It has a population of 229,869 (as of 2006).^[1] Gangneung is the economic centre of the Yeongdong region of eastern Gangwon Province. Gangneung is a national tourist destination, offering good bathing facilities in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). There is a ROK airbase south of Gangneung which formerly doubled as a civil airport.^[2]

The city is also home to National League soccer club Gangneung City.

Symbols of Gangneung

The flag of the city shows a red sun in the centre and blue wave in front, on a white background. The sun represents the sunrise, the wave the sea. The flower of the city is the crepe myrtle, the tree of the city is the pine tree, its bird the swan. The animal of Gangneung is the tiger.^[3]

Gyeongpodae

Gyongpodae

Gangneung is considered special in that is has both access to a lake and the sea. Gyeongpodae is a pavilion overlooking a Gangneung lake. It is said that one can see the moon five times when at Gyeongpodae. One sees the moon once in the sky, once reflected in the lake, once reflected in the sea, once reflected in the drinking glass, and once more in the eyes of a lover. The site of Gyeongpodae is known for its location east of the centre of the city.^[4]

Inside the Gyeongpodae pavilion, built with 28 pillars, is the Gyeongpodaebu, a poem by Yul Gok. Gyeongpodaebu describes the movement of the heavens and the moon. The best view of the moon is on the 15th of the lunar month. ^[4]

Sunrise

Sunrises, especially the first in the New Year, are important in traditional Korean culture. The Jeongdongjin and Gyeongpo beaches in Gangneung are popular places to enjoy a sunrise.^{[citation needed]}

Culture

Gangneung has numerous festivals. The biggest and most famous is the Gangneung Dano Festival (강릉단오제) at the Dano fairground near the Namdae River. In 1967, the Gangneung Dano Festival was designated Korean National Immaterial Cultural Heritage No. 13. On November 11, 2005 it was designated by UNESCO as a "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". Nowadays, it is a combination of several commemoration rites and traditional plays. A highlight is the traditional Gwanno Mask Dance (Gwanno Gamyeongeuk) which is only performed at this festival.

In addition to well established festivals like the Dano, there are several newer festivals in Gangneung, such as the IJAF (International Junior Art Festival) enjoys great popularity. The IJAF is a cultural festival for youth from all over the world. The festival includes both performances of the participating groups and a diversified cultural program demonstrating the essence of Korean culture. Since 2002, the IJAF takes place at Gyeongpo Beach in the end of July. Also, the Gyeongpo Rock Festival was established in 2006. This festival, mostly attracting young people, offers young Korean bands from the Gangneung area a stage for their performances.

There are a number of historical remains and museums in Gangneung. The most prominent being the Ojukheon Museum, which is named after a special black bamboo growing in this area. It is the birthplace of the famous Korean scholar Yulgok (1536-1584) (whose image is on the South Korean 5,000 Won note) and his mother Saimdang (1504-1551) (whose image is on the 50,000 Won note.) In 196,3 the Ojukheon Museum was designated as as National Cultural Heritage No. 165. It includes one of the oldest wooden buildings in Korea. Several shrines and old residential buildings deliver insight into the lives of these famous Koreans. Next to the Ojukheon Museum there is the Gangneung Municipal Museum which shows folklore and antique pieces from the history of the city. Located in the hills surrounding Gangneung City, there is the revealing Daegwallyeong Museum. It consists of a private collection with more than 1000 artifacts and shows the agricultural history of the region.

Gallery

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gangneung

The birth house of Heo Nanseolheon, a famous Korean poet of 17th century.

The birth place of Yul Gok.

Seongyojang, a country house built and owned by a prominent yangban family in Gangneung. Built in 19th century.

A closer view at Seongyojang.

Sister cities

• Gangseo-gu, Seoul since February 26, 2004
• Seo-gu, Daejeon since May 25, 2004
• Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do since July 6, 2004
• Buk-gu, Daegu since October 29, 2004
• Seocho-gu, Seoul since March 23, 2006
• Chichibu, Saitama since February 16, 1983
• Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province since May 11, 1999
• Chattanooga, Tennessee since October 30, 2003
• Jingzhou, Hubei Province since October 19, 2004

See also

• List of cities in South Korea

External links

• City government home page
• Gangneung-si:Official Site of Korea Tourism Org

References

v • d • e Gangwon Capital Chuncheon Cities Chuncheon · Donghae · Gangneung · Samcheok · Sokcho · Taebaek · Wonju Counties Cheorwon · Goseong · Hoengseong · Hongcheon · Hwacheon · Inje · Jeongseon · Pyeongchang · Yanggu · Yangyang · Yeongwol

Coordinates: 37°45′N 128°54′E / 37.75°N 128.9°E / 37.75; 128.9