<Chunghyeon Museum of Gwangmyeong>

The Mood of an Old House and the Story of a Head Family

Head Family Experience of a Cleanhanded Government Officer

A Trip to an Old House Where the Past Meets the Present

Chunghyeon Museum creates a perfect harmony of an old house and time-honored fence, surrounded by modern buildings. The original values of traditional materials have been increasingly highly recognized after being ignored for a long time, and more people are turning their eyes to traditional things for wisdom of ancestors. Chunghyeon Museum is an old house of a head family in Gyeonggi-do, which proves that the value of small-scale and inconvenient things may be higher than that of modern things.

I walked along the street with fences made with mud and stones, and completed with tiles, and the tall gate came into vision after the fence. Entering into the gate, the sight of apartment buildings and modern houses are replaced with the gate and tile-covered roofs of the old house. I looked around Chunghyeongwan, the house of the head family, Gwangamdang, Site of Chunghyeonseowon, Pungyokdae and Samsangdae. Spring is an ideal season to take the tour of Chunghyeon Museum, as spring flowers in full bloom provide a stunning view.

Themed Museum for Experience of the Life of the Head Family
Established in Soha-dong, Gwangmyeong City, the Museum is a unique themed museum where we can experience the culture of the head family. The Museum houses remains of Ori Lee Won-Ik (梧里 李元翼, 1547-1634), who served as the prime minister of the Joseon Dynasty, and his descendants. There are the house of the head family, Yeongwusadang, Chunghyeonseowon, Jeongja, graves and stone monuments at the Museum, and the Hoseonggongsindosang (Portrait) of Ori Lee Won-Ik, which was designated as Treasure No. 1435, is also located in the Museum, providing the perfect setting for a historic tour. A docent explains the culture of the head family during weekends. Gwangamdang, a small house with three bedrooms in the Museum, was built by the King, and was restored after being destroyed during the Japanese Invasion, Chinese Invasion, Japanese Colonial Rule and the Korean War. Gwangamdang was built by the King Injo, who highly recognized the integrity of Ori. Ori spent his senior years at Gwangamdang. We can see the idea of filial devotion and allegiance to the country of the Joseon days at the Museum, and learn the philosophy of the head family that makes traditional ceremonies. 

The House of the Head Family Built in the Mid Joseon Period
Founder Lee Seung-Gyu and Director Ham Geum-Ja commute from their residence. They have dedicated themselves to honor ancestors and maintain the spirit of ancestors in this era when convenience is the best value. Ori is the 2nd great grandson of Ikryeonggun, the son of King Taejong, and has set an example as an upright government officer who served three kings including King Seonjo, Gwanghaegun and King Injo. The Museum was named after Chunghyeonseowon.

The houses of the head family that have been neglected during the modernization period are gaining attention again as the cultural assets of the Joseon Dynasty. The charm of proud loneliness and the spirit of ancestors have gained attention, and the number of people who visit the old houses has increased. Founder Lee gave a detailed explanation about the spirit of the head family and the role of head family members.

The head family is required to meet the qualifications. The head family shall be recognized by the government through a posthumous name, and have the Bulcheonwi memorial ceremony. The memorial ceremony is the government permit to honor the man of merit at a shrine. The eldest son of the family is responsible for operating the house and making the ceremony. The responsibility of the eldest son was heavy in the past, as he had to make six ceremonies a year at Lunar New Year’s Day, Hansik, Dano, Chuseok, the anniversary of the death, and the birthday of the ancestor. These days, the ceremonies have been streamlined.

The house of the head family has to be equipped with the house, jeongja and seowon. It is difficult to be qualified as the house of the head family, because it cannot be qualified with the absence of the single facility among the above-mentioned ones. Ceremonies were made at the Bulcheonwi shrine, and gatherings of the family were held at the house. Guests were treated at jeongja, and soewon was the place for higher education in the Joseon period. We can see the Site of Chunghyeonseowon these days, but it is qualified enough to be the house of the head family. Filial devotion was considered as the more important duty than allegiance to the country in the Joseon period. The graves of parents were placed near the houses. There are graves of Hamcheongun and his wife, who are parents of Ori, as well as graves of their brothers, providing the ideal venue to experience the culture of filial piety and the graves of the Joseon period.

The House of the Head Family Shows the Tradition of Guest Reception
The remains of the head family that are 400 years old are the valuable historic materials showing the life of those days. Items used by the head family are displayed at the basement floor of Chunghyeongwan. The displayed items include tableware, trays, tea things, honey cake mold, brassware, iron and bookcases. Most notably, the brassware coated with stainless steel was coated by the wife of the eldest son at Dongdaemun, showing the heavy duty of the wife of the eldest son. The collection also includes the table setting of 7 side dishes, tableware for religious ceremonies, chamber pots, inkstones and books, as well as trays by origin.

The comment and pictures of the upright man are displayed on the exhibition hall on the first floor. There is a name plate of Gwangamdang granted by King Injo, and Sagye (a chair and a stick granted to the respected public officer who is older than 70 years by the government at the party), which Ori received when he was 77 years old. There is Seoyeo-sonsuyak-buyeonpunghyeon (King Injo Year 6, 1628 A.D.), which Ori wrote words of encouragement and wisdom for his grandson Suyak when he was appointed as the head of Yeongpunghyeon. The words said, “The best policy is to love people, and the best way to clean yourself is to get rid of greed.” “Domang” is the words describing the grief of losing spouses, and it is popular among family tourists. “Hoseonggongsindosang,” which was designated as a treasure, is a portrait with formal message granted with the contribution to safe evacuation of King Injo, and it has a high value as a painting. He wrote a testament in 1630 when he was 84 years old, and the testament said, “Maintain close ties among brothers, live frugally and make my funeral simple.” In addition, words for descendants, letters, exchanges of writings with leaders of the same period and “Yeolseongeopil,” the block book of the autograph letter of King are displayed at the exhibition hall.

A Slow Walk at the Old House
After looking around Chunghyeongwan, I enjoyed the beautiful landscape around the house. The square-shaped house has a yard at the center. It was designated as the cultural asset of Gyeonggi-do, as it shows the style of houses in Gyeonggi-do of the latter era of the Joseon Dynasty. There is Gwangamdang built by the King by the house. It is a long, simple building with a 400 year-old Thuja orientalis Linne on the yard. There is tangeumam where Ori played geomungo. There is Yeongwu Shrine on the back of Gwangamdang. Yeongwu Shrine is a valuable historic site.

Chunghyeon Museum Operated by Members of the Head Family
Founder Lee Seung-Gyu described himself as a foolish man, in a sense that he has maintained the spirit and the pride of the head family, sacrificing the short-sighted profits. His dedication and challenges that he has made to build the Museum were summarized into the word. It is frustrating to see the behavior of honoring ancestors being recognized as a foolish behavior. It is certain that the society will become a more diverse and pleasant place when the number of people who think of the next generations and value traditions increases.

Founder Lee, the 13th eldest grandson of Lee Won-Ik, established the Museum in 2003 at his own expenses. After living at the house as a newly-married couple, he moved for careers. He returned to the house after retiring from work, and developed interests in the Museum while reviewing the graduation thesis of his wife who attended the graduate school. He also developed interests in the theory of divination based on topography. The more you know, the more you learn. Founder Lee is always eager to share his rich knowledge on the culture of filial piety, the theory of divination and the place of graves of ancestors with visitors.

About Ori Lee Won-Ik (梧里 李元翼, 1547~1634)
He was the 2nd great grandson of Ikryeong-gun, the 12th son of King Taejong, and served as an officer in the mid Joseon period. He is well-known as an upright government officer who served as a prime minister for three generations during the term of King Seonjo, Gwanghaegun and King Injo. Members of royal families were prohibited to serve as government officers for four generations, and Lee Won-Ik was the first man who passed the civil service examination and became a government officer. He was selected as au upright government officer during the reign of King Seonjo, and gained respect with great writing skills and great personality. He stayed at the site of the Museum in his senior years, and there are Gwangamdang built by King Injo for him, Oriyeongu, which is a family shrine, Site of Chunghyeonseowon and the house of the head family. Tangeumam where Ori played geomungo, a 400 year-old Thuja orientalis Linne, recently recovered Pungyokdae and Samsangdae give a chance to feel the poetical taste of scholars of the Joseon period.

Order of Visits
Chunghyeongwan → House of Head Family → Gwangamdang → Tangeumam and a Thuja orientalis Linne → Stone figures and graves of Hamcheongun and his wife → Pungyokdae → Samsangdae → Site of Chunghyeonseowon → Oriyeongu

[Tourist Information]
Operating Hours: 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Reservations are required in winter season (from November to February)
Closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year’s Holiday and Chuseok Holiday
Admission Fees: KRW 3,500 per adult and KRW 2,500 per child and solider
A group of 20 or more members gets 20% discount

◆ Location
Keyword for Search: Chunghyeon Museum
Address: 1085-16 Soha 2-dong, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do
Contact: 02-898-0505
Website: www.chunghyeon.org
By Car: Gwangmyeong IC (KTX) → Turn right to the direction of Seoul → Go to the direction of Gwangmyeong City Hall → Go straight for 1km after the sign of Chungmyeon museum, turn left and turn right at the first street  Chunghyeon Museum
From Suwon: Dongsuwon IC (Yeongdong Expressway) -  Ansan JC (Seoul Ring Expressway) – Seohaean Expressway -  Gwangmyeong Station IC (Gwangmyeong KTX Station) – Yangji Sageori (turn right to the direction of Gwangmyeong City Hall) – Oriro – Sign of Chunghyeon Museum and House of Ori Lee Won-Ik - Turn left and turn right at the first street  Chunghyeon Museum
Public Transportation: Cheolsan Station, Subway Line No. 7, Exit No. 1 – Bus No. 3 bound for Anyang – Get off at Soha 2-dong Army Base (Ihwa Oil Station and Chunghyeon High School) / Seoksu Station, Subway Line No. 1 – City Bus No. 1 or 11-1 – Ihwa Oil Station

◆ Adjacent Tourist Destinations: Nabiya Nolja Museum, Speedom (Domed cycling race stadium), KTX Gwangmyeong Station and Yeonghoewon

◆ Restaurant Options: Daeho Restaurant (02-899-7780, located in the next to Chunghyeon Museum, KRW 4,000 per serving) and Myeongmul Duruchigi of Soha-dong (02-897-3141)

Play with Butterfly Museum Gwangmyeong gyeonggi-do korea

 LOCATION | 908, Noonsa-dong, Gwangmyeong-si 
 TEL | 82-2-2682-4520
 URL | www.playwithbutterfly.com
 
This is the first museum specializing in butterflies and insects which serves as a place for hands-on experience of the environmental ecology.
 

Driving, using public transportation

Transportation

Public Transportation

Get off at subway line no.7 Gwangmyeong crossroads Station or subway line No.1 Gaebong station and take bus No.11 to Hakon-dong Agricultural Cooperative

By Car

Go 1.8 km towards Ansan from Gwangmyeong I.C., and then, make a P turn across the street from the Agricultural Cooperative at Gwangmyeong Hakon-dong



Detail information

Service hour : 10:00~18:00

You can see information and specimen regarding butterflies all over the world, and this museum runs various hands-on programs for students.

The museum is constantly updating its specimen, and also holds unique events for each season. Especially, what stands out the most is that the museum has given careful consideration so that visitors can enjoy studying and exploring objects and natural phenomenon that surrounds

them.

 

EXHIBITION HALL

Butterfly Specimen Exhibition Room This is a space where you can see butterflies and details explanation about them. Living Butterfly Hall This is a hall where you can observe live butterflies. Butterfly Hands-on Learning Class Room There are programs for making butterfly specimen and drawing butterflies. Outdoor Ecology Experience Hall This is a garden where you can grow various vegetables like cabbage, radish, lettuce, and kale.

 

SPECIAL PROGRAM

Butterfly Specimen Production This is a program for actually making a

butterfly specimen. Butterfly Drawing An award ceremony is held in the first half and second half of the year to award prizes for butterfly drawings by visitors.

 

NOTE

Ecology of Butterflies Most adult butterflies are active during the day but some have varying behavior according to their type. Fritillary or swallowtail butterflies fly around sunny places, and satyr flies around forests. Then, there are the green hairstreak butterflies flying around twigs. Swallowtail butterflies are known to follow a specific path on a sunny day. So specimen collectors catch them by waiting for them around the corner of their path. The butterfly's behavior is like this because

they feel polarized lights and reflections from tree leaves they encounter on their path.
 


 
  Last modified : 2009. 08. 17

  Source : Play with Butterfly Museum

  Please contact website to get more information.

  Reference : 02-2682-4520
 
 

the source-http://english.ethankyou.co.kr/information/informationList.jsp

Gwangmyeong Speedom velodrome Gwangmyeong gyeonggi-do korea

 LOCATION | #780, Gwangmyeong-dong, Gwangmyeong 
 TEL | 82-2-2-2067-5000
 URL | http://www.cyclerace.or.kr
 
With its splendid glass structure, Gwangmyeong Speedom (acapacity of 30,000) attracts many tourists. 

Detail information

With its splendid glass structure, Gwangmyeong Speedom (acapacity of 30,000) attracts many tourists. This magnificent, Roman Colosseum-like domed stadium opened in 2006. In the indoor velodrome, cyclists race to the finish line and if you are lucky, you will win your bet. This is truly one of the most exciting of sports.

  Conveniently situated nearby, a natural eco park and outdoor performance stage also draw a great number of guests.t.
 
 
  Last modified : 2009. 07. 23

  Source : Gwangmyeong Speedom

  Please contact website to get more information.

  Reference : 82-2-2067-5000
 

 
the source-http://english.ethankyou.co.kr/information/informationList.jsp

Gwangmyeong Museum of the Butterfly Invitation to the Butterfly World

It is as hard to see butterflies as it is to see stars in the sky downtown. A simple two-storey building, the Museum of the Butterfly is the place you can meet the world's butterflies and understand how the conservation of nature is important.

 

Passing by the Gwangmyeong IC, drive towards Gwangmyeong City Hall through Seomok Tunnel; you will see Gwangmyeong Nonghyeop on your right. Turn right and walk along the narrow street. You can see the milestone for the Museum of the Butterfly. There are Korean butterflies and unusual butterflies of the world in the museum. New activity programs are starting in April. The museum comprises a pavillion of the world's butterflies, an activity room, a multimedia room and so on. However, the most popular place is the Butterfly Greenhouse.

Museum located in the middle of the plain

The world's butterflies are gathered here. Splendid specimens of butterflies arrest capture the eye of the visitor. Did you know that the splendid butterfly's wings are protection from their enemies? When entering the Exhibit Hall of Butterfly Specimens, you can see various butterflies ranging from famous ones to native ones. Don't forget to see the "Bird-wing butterfly". The origin of it’s’ name is interesting. This butterfly was shot down as it was mistaken for a bird. You cannot import or export the Bird-wing butterfly, without permission from CITES. The world's collectors covet this butterfly due to its splendid light green or bluish green colored wings.

The first floor is divided into the Exhibit Hall of Specimens and the Ecology Learning Room.The Multimedia Room and the Butterfly Greenhouse are on the second floor. In the Exhibit Hall of Specimens, you can't take your eyes off of the colorful mobile of butterfly specimens. There are 1,000 specimens of Korean butterflies, 4,000 specimens of 150 species of foreign butterflies, and 500 specimens of 170 species of various insects including longicorns and beetles.

The place where you can see butterflies all year round- the Butterfly Greenhouse.

This is the most popular area with children because you can see flying butterflies. In the middle of the Greenhouse, there is a flower garden shaped like a butterfly. The temperature in here is set at 20 degrees which is ideal for butterflies and enables you to see the process of transformation of butterflies: from egg->larva->chrysalis->butterfly. If you look at the grass and flowers carefully, you can find eggs on the leaves and chrysalises hiding in inconspicuous places. For camera buffs there is a photo zone here. You can discover which plants and scents butterflies prefer. There is a chart of the butterfly's life cycle at the entrance so that you can compare it with theory. You can also see a movie about the butterfly's role in ecology. The curator used to be a science teacher, so he has designed this museum to reinforce what visitors have learned about the relationship between theory and practice. In addition, you can see the Exhibit Hall of Beetles and the Evolution of the Beetle.



The movie, ecology of butterfly - Cyber Butterfly Room 

There are various stories about butterflies: the Origin and structure of the butterfly, the Flight of the butterfly, the Ecology of the butterfly, and Butterflies and humans. These can help us understand butterflies better. The "Ecology of butterfly", movie running for 15min, is especially popular as it shows the character of the butterfly and the 4 stages in a butterfly’s life. Butterflies are distinguished by their color and smell. They lay 100~400 eggs on the plant. After approximately 2 weeks, the eggs hatch into larvae, and soon, become pupae. Next, from diamond-shaped pupae, these change into butterflies after spending all of their energy. An imago is 270 times heavier than its egg. We can see the mystery of life as from this painful process emerges perfect beauty.


There are various activities such as drawing butterflies and making butterfly specimens in the Ecology Learning Room. Reservation is necessary through the web site or call. Admission fee is 4,000 won for adult, 3,000 won for children.

the source - http://english.ethankyou.co.kr/travel/journalist/journalistView.jsp?story_telling_seq=373&pagesize=10&category_s_search=113111115000&area_search=&keyfield=&keyword=

1. History of Gyeonggi Province

Gyeonggi Province was a politically important area ever since 18 B.C., when Korea, a homogeneous nation, was divided into three nations during the Period of the Three Kingdoms. Ever since King Onjo, the founder of Baekjae (one of the three kingdoms), had founded the government in Wuirae Castle of Hanam, the Hangang (River) valley was absorbed into Goguryeo in the mid-fifth century, and became Silla's territory in the year 553(14^th year of King Jinheung). Afterwards, the current location of Gyeonggi Province, one of the 9 states of Unified Silla (nation unifying the three kingdoms), was called Hansanju.

 

The Gyeonggi region started to rise as the central region of Korea’s history as the first Emperor of Goryeo (dynasty following Unified Silla), Wanggeon, set up the capital in Gaesong. Since 1018 (9^th year of Goryeo’s King Hyeonjong), this area was officially called ‘Gyeonggi.’ In the Joseon Dynasty, which was founded after the Goryeo Dynasty, King Taejo set the capital in Hanyang, while restructuring Gyeonggi’s area to include Gwangju, Suwon, Yeoju, and Anseong, along with the southeast region. Since the period of Kings Taejong and Sejong, The Gyeonggi region became very similar to the current administrative area of Gyeonggi Province. In 1895, the 23-Bu system, which reorganized administrative areas at that time, was put in effect, and the Gyeonggi region was divided into Hanseong-Bu, Incheon-Bu, Chungju-Bu, Gongju-Bu, and Gaesong-Bu.

 

During Japan’s colonial rule of Korea, Hanseong-Bu was incorporated into Gyeonggi Province on October 1st, 1910, to be renamed as Gyeongseong-Bu, and had a provincial government placed in Gyeongseong-Bu according to the reorganization of administrative districts. After liberation and the foundation of Korea’s government, Gyeonggi Province and its capital Seoul were separated, with partial regions of Gyeonggi Province being incorporated into Seoul hereafter. In 1967, the seat of Gyeonggi provincial government was transferred from Seoul to Suwon. After Incheon was separated from Gyeonggi Province in 1981, Gyeonggi regions such as Gimpo, Ongjin, and Ganghwa were incorporated into Incheon in 1989 and 1995.

 

2. Geography of Gyeonggi Province

Gyeonggi Province is the western central region of the Korean Peninsula, which is vertically situated in Northeast Asia, and is located between east longitude of 126 and 127, and north latitude of 36 and 38. Its dimension is 10.2% of Korea’s territory, 10.114㎢. It is in contact with 86km of cease-fire line to the north, 413km of coastline to the west, Gangwon Province to the east, Chung-cheong Province to the south, and has Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, situated in its center. The location of its provincial government is Suwon, and situates its 2nd government buildings in Uijeongbu for the administrative conveniences of the northern region.

 

Climate

The climate of Gyeonggi Province is the continental climate, which has a severe differentiation of temperature between summer and winter, and has distinctions of four seasons. Spring is warm, summer is hot and humid, autumn is cool, and winter is cold and snowy. The annual temperature is between 11~13C°, where the temperature in the mountainous areas to the northeast is lower and the coastal areas to the southwest is higher. For January’s average temperature, the Gyeonggi Bay is -4C°, the Namhangang (River) Basin is -4 ~ -6C°, and the Bukhangang (River) and Imjingang Basins are -6 ~ -8 C°. It becomes colder and higher in temperature differentiation from coastal to inland areas. Summer has a lower local differentiation compared to winter, and since the inland areas are hotter than the Gyeonggi Bay area, the hottest area is Pyeongtaek, making the average temperature of August 26.5C°.

 

The annual average precipitation is around 1,100mm, with a lot of rainfall. It is rainy in summer and dry during winter. The northeastern inland areas of Bukhangang and the upper stream of Imjingang has a precipitation of 1,300 ~ 1,400mm, whereas the coastal area has only 900mm of precipitation.

 

2.2 Nature/National Park

The topography of Gyeonggi Province is divided into southern and northern areas by the Han River, which flows from east to west. The area north to the Han River is mainly mountainous, while the southern area is mainly plain.

 

The configuration of Gyeonggi Province is represented by Dong-go-seo-jeo (high in the east and low in the west), where the Gwangju Mountain Range and the Charyeong Mountain Range spreads from the east and drops in elevation in the west. The fields of Gimpo, Gyeonggi, and Pyeongtaek extend to the west.

 

Gyeonggi Province boasts a beautiful nature stocked with rivers, lakes, mountains and seas. Its representing rivers are Hangang, Imjingang, and Anseongcheon (Stream), which flows into the Yellow Sea, with Gyeonggi Plain, Yeonbaek Plain and Anseong Plain forming a fertile field area around the rivers. There are Gwangju Mountain Range and Charyeong Mountain Range stretching towards China in Gyeonggi Province. Most of the mountains that rise above 1000m, such as Myeongjisan (1,267m), Gukmangbong (1,168m) and Yongmunsan (1,157m), are included in the Gwangju Mountain Range. It has a developed granite area which, due to the granite’s exfoliation effect, makes it full of strangely shaped cliffs and deep valleys. The Charyeong Mountain Range forms the boundary between Gyeonggi Province and North Chungcheong Province, but is a relatively low-altitude hilly area.

   

For National Parks within Gyeonggi Province, there is Bukhansan National Park located in Uijeongbu. For Provincial Parks, there are the Chukryeongsan Natural Recreation Area, Namhan-sanseong Provincial Park, Gapyeong Yeoninsan Provincial Park, and Mulhyanggi Arboretum. Besides the listed, the scenery of well-known mountains including Soyosan of Dongducheon City, Yongmunsan of Yangpyeong-gun, and Gwanaksan of Anyang·Gwacheon Cities, along with Hangang and Imjingang are the famous tourism sites of Gyeonggi Province.

 

3. Population

Gyeonggi Province has shown a rapid increase in population due to the modernization and urbanization of the Republic of Korea. Its population has increased from 2,748,765 in 1960 to 3,296,950 in 1970, 4,933,862 in 1980, 6,619,629 in 1992, and 8,982,298 in 2000. The current households in 2000 are numbered at 2,944,148 with an average of 3 people per family. There are 4,545,929 men with 4,436,369 women, making it nearly 110,000 more men than women. The population density is higher than the national average of 472 people/㎢, with the value of 882 people/㎢.

 

The most heavily populated area as of 2000 is Seongnam (924,812) followed by Suwon (912,697) and Bucheon (779,978). The lowest populated area is Yeoncheon (53,955) followed by Gapyeong (56,485) and Gwacheon (71,635).

 

4. Economy

As the backbone of Seoul in the means of manufacturing complex, Gyeonggi Province is evenly developed in various industries such as heavy industry (electronics, machine, heavy and chemical industry, steel), light industry (textile), and farm, livestock and fisheries industry. Due to the influence of recent high wages, the weight of various manufacturing industries has decreased in Korea’s economy. Gyeonggi Province is also making efforts in many ways to improve and modernize the conventional industry structure. Gyeonggi Province is unsparingly investing in the promotion of service industries related to soft competitive power such as state-of-the-art IT industry, designing, conventions and tourism, along with its great leap as a commercial hub in Northeast Asia using the Pyeongtaek Harbor. Besides this, it is famous for its special local products such as Icheon rice and Icheon/Gwangju ceramics. Also, the manufacturing base of global IT industries that represent Korea, such as Suwon Samsung Semi-conductor, Paju LG LCD Complex, and Icheon Hynix are located in Gyeonggi Province.

 

5. Administrative Area

Gyeonggi Province is, as of May 7th, 2008, consisted of 27 cities (special: 7, normal: 20) and 4 districts. This is because many districts have had status promotion from district to city due to the influence of Seoul’s new town development plan. Special cities are especially concentrated in the southern area of Gyeonggi Province.

 

5.1        City

Suwon, Seongnam, Uijeongbu, Bucheon, Gwangmyeong, Pyeongtaek, Dongducheon, Ansan, Goyang, Gwacheon, Guri, Namyangju, Osan, Siheung, Gunpo, Uiwang, Hanam, Yongin, Paju, Icheon, Anseong, Gimpo, Hwaseong, Gwangju, Yangju, Pocheon, Anyang

 

5.2        District

Yeoju-gun, Yeoncheon-gun, Gapyeong-gun, Yangpyeong-gun

 

6. Transportation

Gyeonggi Province is extremely well-developed in international aerial transportation. It is nearby Incheon International Airport, said to be the gateway to Korea, with the 2nd international airport of Gimpo International Airport situated within Gyeonggi Province. The area is cut through by the Gyeongin Line, Korea’s first railroad, and the Gyeongin Expressway, Korea’s first expressway. It is in close relation with the Metropolis of Seoul, making it well-developed in transportation. The road pavement rate is at an average of 86.5%. The subway cuts through the Metropolis of Seoul so that the subway’s National Railroad Line #1 is connected to Cheonan past Gyeonggi Province to the southwest, and Dongducheon to the north. Line #3 is connected to Goyang to the north, while #4 is connected to Gwacheon and Ansan to the southwest, #7 is connected to Uijeongbu to the north and Gwangmyeong to the south, #8 is extended to Sungnam to the south, and finally the Bundang line is connected from Suseo to Bojeong, Yongin, making subway transportation within the metropolitan area extremely convenient. The usage of sea transportation utilizing Pyeongtaek Harbor is high, and this is due to the fact that nearby regions including Seoul are playing an important role as the door to trade and commerce along with imports and exports.

 

7. Education

Gyeonggi Province is focusing proportions of its investments into education to foster talented people suitable for the global era. It is currently promoting campus transfer of reputable universities into Gyeonggi Province, while driving forth additional foundations of special purpose high schools for high-quality education. It has also founded and is operating the largest domestic scale of Paju English Community, along with Ansan and Yangpyeong English Villages for English education.

 

Universities within Gyeonggi Province

[National] Korea National Police University, Hankyong National University

[Private]

Kangnam University, Kyonggi University, Kyungwon University, Kyung Hee University, Dankook University, Daejin University, Luther University, Myongji University (science departments campus), Seoul Theological University, Seoul Jangsin University and Theological Seminary, Sungkyul University, Suwon Catholic University, Shingyeong University, Asia United Theological University, Ajou University, Anyang University, Yongin University, Chung-Ang University (Anseong Campus), Calvin University, Pyongtaek University, College of Medicine Pochon CHA University, Korea Polytechnic University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Korea Aerospace University, Hanbuk University, Hansei University, Hanshin University, Hanyang University, Hyupsung University

 

8. Culture

8.1 Historical Landmarks

Gyeonggi Province has long been, historically, a capital area, which left many historic relics and ruins. For royal tombs (called reung), there are Donggureung of Guri, and Gwangreung, Hongreung and Yureung of Namyangju. For castles (called seong), there are Suwon Hwaseong, which is designated as the World Cultural Heritage, Namwonsanseong, Haengjusanseong, and Ganghwasanseong. For Buddhist temples, there are many aged temples within Gyeonggi Province where one can experience ‘temple stay’, besides Ganghwa Pusoksa Muryangsujeon, the oldest wooden building in Korea. You can view folk culture in the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, and the scene of Korea’s division at Panmunjeom in Paju.

 

8.2 Performance/Art

Gyeonggi Province is investing a lot of money at a provincial level so that one doesn’t have to go to Seoul to enjoy a high-class cultural life. There are various performances at Gyeonggi Arts Center in Suwon and as well as Gyeonggi Korean Traditional Music Center in Yongin. Gyeonggi Provincial Museum in Yongin, Nam June Paik Art Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Museum of Art in Ansan, and Ceramics Museum in Gwangju are some of the facilities that are currently founded and being operated by the province. Besides, there are famous sightseeing opportunities at Jangheung Art Park, Publication Art Complex at Heyri, Paju, and the Icheon Ceramics Exposition.

 

8.3 Sports

The 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup matches were held in Suwon World Cup Stadium. As for the professional soccer teams with Gyeonggi Province as their home ground, there are the Suwon Samsung Blue Wings and Sungnam Ilhwa Cheonma. Also, there is the professional basketball team of Guri Red Wings, sponsored by Kumho Life Insurance.

 

9. Tourism

9.1 Entertainment

There are many famous theme parks and resorts spread across Gyeonggi Province. Everland, which is considered as one of the top 10 theme parks in the world considering admission number, is located in Yongin, while the Hallyu Wood Theme Park, which is based on the ‘Korean Fever’, is under construction in Goyang. Sites that are also worth visiting with one’s family are the Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, which has the Korea’s National Museum of Contemporary Art and a zoo, along with the Korean Folk Village in Yongin. Besides, Gyeonggi Province has a number of famous ski and golf resorts that aims to attract the citizens of Seoul, along with its Icheon Hot Spring.

 

9.2 Gourmet

Gyeonggi Province has long been famous for its Icheon rice, Yangpyeong Korean beef, Suwon cow ribs and Korean court cuisine, and marine delicacies made of fresh marine products from the west coast.

 

9.3 Festival

There are 49 festivals in Gyeonggi Province as of 2004.

Area	Festival Name	Period	Main Contents	Sponsor/Supervision
Suwon City	Hwaseong Cultural Festival	October	Great King Jeong Jo parade, Hwaryeongjeon Heondarae, re-presentation of the 60th birthday banquet of Hyekyeongung Hong, re-presentation of Kwageo (state examination during the Joseon Dynasty) National housewife scenery festival, traditional flag game, culture and art festival, international food festival, drawing of Mars	Suwon City, Hwaseong Cultural Festival Committee
	KBS Drama Festival	August ~ October	KBS Magic, Studio Tour, digital image machinery, public broadcasting, reconstructions of historical dramas, national amateur image contest	Suwon City, KBS
Seongnam City	Sungnam Global Folk Art Festival	May	Global folk dancing, music and clothing festival with 400 performers from 12 different countries participating	Sungnam/Gyeongpyeong International Co., Ltd.
	Sungnam Cultural Art Festival	October	International / dance / music / play / movie festivals, art / picture exhibitions, citizen composition contest, citizen singing contest	Sungnam City, Sungnam Art Assembly and Members
	Moran 5-Day Folk Festival	April	Various traditional folk art performance, reminiscent folk song stage, art performance of modern taste	Moran 5-Day Folk Festival Committee
	Sungnam Art Village Lotus Festival	July	Lotus and nature workbook exhibition, lotus food and local food corner	Lotus Festival Committee
Anyang City	Anyang Cultural Art Festival	Mid-May	Various culture and art event such as art, music, dancing and plays	Anyang Cultural Center and Art Assembly Anyang Branch
	Anyang Citizen Festival	October	Local festival full of things to see / play / buy / eat	Anyang City/Anyang Citizen Festival Committee
Goyang City	Goyang Haengju Cultural Festival	October	Seungjeon Street Parade, folk contest, Haengju Daecheop memorial services and rites	Goyang City/Goyang Cultural Center
Bucheon City	Boksagol Art Festival	May	Student and citizen composition contest, street festival, image and picture subscription, art festival, citizen singing contest, dance contest, family musicals for children, play contest, music contest, citizen movie contest, citizen photography contest	Korea Art Assembly Bucheon Branch
Ansan City	Danwon Art Festival (Kim Hong-do Festival)	October	Art Contest: art subscription contest, art appreciation classroom, street art contest Ansan Kim Hong-do Festival: Danwon PR Hall, antique necessity products exhibition, yard play, art experience, traditional eateries	Ansan City/Danwon Art Festival Committee
	Byeolmangseong Art Festival	September	Byeolmangseong Festival, Byeolchomu performance, fireworks, teenager play festival, national music festival, other art events	Ansan City/Ansan Art Assembly
	Seongho Cultural Festival	May	Seongho admiration services, National Cultural Festival performances, Gyeonggi folk song choir performance, Seongho ideology academic contest, other events	Ansan City/Ansan Cultural Center
Uijeongbu City	Tongil Art Festival	May	Exhibition, traditional dance performance, Hanmaeum Citizen Singing Contest, composition contest, modern arts invitation	Art Assembly Uijeongbu Branch
	Hoeryong Cultural Festival	October	Reproduction of royal parade, exhibition, dragon dance, yard drama	Uijeongbu Cultural Center
	Uijeongbu International Music Performance Festival	May	Overseas group invitation/performance, college student showcase event, exhibition	Uijeongbu Arts Center
Namyangju City	Dasan Cultural Festival	October	Awarding of Dasanmokmin Award, literature contest, traditional folk performance experience event	Namyangju City/Namyangju Cultural Center
	Namyangju Outdoor Performance Festival	August	Invitation/performance of famous domestic/foreign performers, teenager get-together yard, experience event	Namyangju City
Gwangmyeong City	Gureum Mt. Art Festival	October	National Music Festival, art exhibition, painting exhibition, picture exhibition, composition contest, student music contest, play performance, National Music Contest	Art Assembly Gwangmyeong Branch/Respective Associations
	Ori Cultural Festival	May	Lecture on the life and ideology of Lee Won-ik, yard games, picture drawing, musicals, shortened marathon, masque dance performance	Gwangmyeong Cultural Center
Siheung City	Mulwang Art Festival	May	National music yard festival, literature and art event, citizen singing contest	Art Assembly Siheung Branch/Siheung City Hall
	Yeonseong Cultural Festival	October	Juvenile drama, composition contest, open concert, totem trimming and services	Siheung Cultural Center/Siheung City Hall
Gunpo City	Gunpo Citizen’s Grand Festival	April	Masquerade parade, street exhibition, village concert, silver festival, photography contest	Gunpo Cultural Information Department
	Cheoljjuk Dongsan Festival	April	Various exhibitions and concerts
Guri City	Guri Han River Rape Flower Festival	May	Fly away butterflies, concerts, citizen singer contests, art, writing contest, photography contest, teenager rock concert	Guri/Korea Art Assembly Guri Branch
	Guri Cosmos Festival	September	Eve celebration, Chinese arts circus, open-air movie appreciation, smiling picture photography, various experience events	Guri/Korea Art Assembly Guri Branch
Hanam City	Hanam Iseong Cultural Festival	September	Public broadcast attraction, provincial troupe performance, citizen performance, citizen participation yard	Hanam City Hall/Hanam Cultural Center
Uiwang City	Uiwang Baekwun Art Festival	October	Walking on old street in Uiwang, I am an Artist Events: composition contest, sketch contest, fairy tale recital, puppet show, scenery games, making traditional toys, guitar performance	Uiwang Baekwun Art Festival Committee
Anseong City	Anseong Namsadang Bawudeogi Festival	September	Art and science contest, taffy seller play, masque performance, tightrope walking performance, Baudeoki PR Hall, wayfaring male entertainer play of 6 yards, street play, general play, yard play, folk market and cattle market remake	Anseong
	Anseong Juksan International Art Festival	June	Dance, music, creative performance, Avantgarde Exhibition with globally famous artists, make-your-own-product with artists, film contest	Smile Stone Co., Ltd.
	Juksan Children Festival	May	For-children performance twice a day, experience	Festival Troupe Mucheon
Yangju City	Yangju Traditional Culture and Art Festival	May	Intangible cultural assets and traditional folk art performance	Yangju Festival Committee
	Yangju Cultural Festival	October	Traditional folk art performance and participation event, unit event
Osan City	Doksanseong Culture and Art Festival	September	Art events such as culture event performance, citizen participation yard	Osan City/Osan Cultural Center
Yeoju-gun	Sejong Cultural Grand Feast	October	Resident concert, Hangeul writing contest, empress travel, various exhibitions, national picture subscription	Yeoju-gun, Yeoju Cultural Center Art Assembly Yeoju Branch
	Yeoju Ceramics Exposition	May	Ceramics sales event, igniting of traditional oven, exhibition/performance event and experience event	Yeoju, Yeoju Ceramics Exposition
	Yeoju Artifact Exhibition	October	Farm products exhibition, outstanding product sales, international sweet potato cooking contest, farming experience event (sweet potato tour)	Yeoju Artifact Exhibition Committee Yeoju Agricultural Technology Center
	Myeongseong Empress Anniversary	October	Yeongsan memorial services, hyewon exorcism	Yeoju-gun, Yeoju Cultural Center
Paju City	Yulgok Cultural Festival	September	Chuhyang ritual at Jawun Auditorium, art and science symposium, reconstruction of Confucian parade, Yulgok and Chinese poem writing contest, native writer invitation, calligraphy contest	Paju City/Paju Cultural Center
	Paju Children Book Hanmadang	October	Publications exhibition and sales, book culture hanmadang, seminar games hanmadang, experience & study	Paju City, Paju Publication Complex
	Heyri Festival	October	Art and plastic product exhibition at Heyri Village, construction tourism, performance, percussion, dance, play, classic jazz, workshop classrooms	Paju City, Paju Construction Committee, Heyri Festival Committee
	Paju Art Festival	May	Music performance, national music performance, literature seminar, literary writing contest, art association member exhibition	Paju City/Paju Art Assembly

10. Sister City

Gauteng Province, the Republic of South Africa; North Holland Province, the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Taipei, Taiwan; Moscow, Russia; State of Mexico, Mexico; Virginia, USA; Utah, USA; Florida, USA; Ha Tay, Vietnam; North East Assembly, U.K.; Vastmanlands County, Sweden; Cataluyna Autonomous Community, Spain; South Sulawesi, Indonesia; Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan; Guangdong Province, China; Shandong Province, China; Liaoning Province, China; Kampot, Cambodia; British Columbia Province, Canada; Alto Parana Department, Paraguay; Queensland, Australia

http://portal.gg.go.kr/portal/site/gg/template.PAGE/page.GG_NEWS_NEWS_PAGE/?iframeSrc=http://www.gg.go.kr/0502new/partinfo/cdojung/foreign/index.html

http://world.gg.go.kr/wmc_gis/main_sister_index.jsp

11. Reference

 

12. Links

Gyeonggi Provincial Office http://portal.gg.go.kr/portal/site/gg/

Gyeonggi Tourism Guide http://www.ethankyou.co.kr/main.jsp

DMZ http://www.dmz.ne.kr/

World Ceramic Exposition http://www.wocef.com/index_kor.asp?lang=kor

KINTEX http://www.kintex.com/intro.jsp
Metropolitan Subway Line Guide

http://search.naver.com/search.naver?sm=tab_hty&where=nexearch&query=%BC%F6%B5%B5%B1%C7%C1%F6%C7%CF%C3%B6

 

 

13. Notes

* These are the contents corrected from what is recorded in Wikipedia, referring to the materials in the Gyeonggi Provincial Government.
* We are now making a request for the update of the contents. Gyeonggi Province will continually correct the errors in Wikipedia and promote the registration of new data related to Gyeonggi Province.

"Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia" 카테고리의 다른 글

• The 32nd Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Kim Moo... (0)2009/06/18
• South Korea Gyeonggi-do - Wikipedia, the free e... (0)2009/01/23

Seoul, the capital of Korea, is surrounded by Gyeonggi Province. The Seoul-Gyeonggi metropolitan area is home to 24 million people, accounting for approximately half of the total population of South Korea. Gyeonggi Province itself had a population exceeding 11 million people in 2007, the vast majority of which live in urban areas. The population of Gyeonggi Province makes it the largest local self-governing body in Korea.


Population by City and Country

Locality	Total Population	Foreign Residents
Gyeonggi Province	11,055,658	194,989
Suwon City	1,069,496	14,026
Seongnam City	954,780	10,267
Goyang City	918,069	8,920
Bucheon City	860,811	10,840
Anyang City	623,451	4,518
Ansan City	703,214	24,913
Yongin City	794,614	11,872
Uijeongbu City	419,077	2,623
Namyangju City	489,246	4,533
Pyeongtaek City	401,119	6,626
Gwangmyeong City	312,730	2,690
Siheung City	390,722	13,331
Gunpo City	274,624	3,632
Hwaseong City	355,271	19,616
Paju City	302,734	7,319
Icheon City	195,469	2,554
Guri City	195,969	1,192
Gimpo City	206,180	9,996
Pocheon City	157,833	7,519
Gwangju City	228,055	7,848
Anseong City	162,580	3,297
Hanam City	135,990	1,549
Uiwang City	134,503	1,105
Yangju City	178,861	7,331
Osan City	144,379	2,294
Yeoju County	106,729	1,271
Yangpyeong County	87,714	404
Dongducheon City	88,388	1,821
Gwacheon City	61,888	316
Gapyeong County	55,502	443
Yeoncheon County	45,660	323

(Source: Gyeonggi Province Statistics 2007)



the source - http://english.gg.go.kr/renewal/about/gyeonggi/population.htm

Administrative Map

Area : 10,183.861㎢
Population : 11,340,241 people(2007)
Population Density : 1,113 people/㎢
Number of Households : 4,183,926(2007)
Administrative Jurisdiction
27City, 4Gun ,31Eup ,111Myun ,393Dong
Gyeonggi Provincial Government
63, DoCheongapgil(1 Measan-ro 3-ga), Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province 442-703


2007-04-12
Ansan
Location : Gojan-dong 515, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-481-2000,2114
Homepage : http://ansan.iansan.net/english/index.asp
 
Anseong
Location : 31-3 Bongsan-dong, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL :82-31-673-8200 
Homepage : http://anseong.go.kr/service/english/cyber/index_1.html
 
Anyang
TEL:82-31-389-2114
Homepage : http://en.anyang.go.kr/
 
Bucheon
Location : 1156 Jung-dong, Wonmi-gu, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-320-2114
Homepage : http://www.bucheon.go.kr/en
 
Dongducheon
Location : 438 Saengyeon-dong, Dongducheon-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-865-7101~5
Homepage : http://www.ddc21.net/_foreign/eng/

Gapyeong
Location : 513 Eupnae-ri, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-582-2684
Homepage : http://www.ga21.net/site/foreign/english/
 
Goyang
Location : Jukyo-Dong 600, Deokyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-481-2000,2114
Homepage : http://www.goyang.go.kr/fl/en_gov_major.html
 
Gunpo
Location : 844, Geumjeong-dong, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-392-3000
Homepage : http://www.gunpo21.net/english/mayor/mayor01.htm
 
Guri
Location : 390-1, Gyomun-dong,Guri-si, Gyeonggi Province
Homepage : http://www.guri.go.kr/english/
 
Gwacheon
Location :427-714 Jungang-dong 1-3, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-502-5001~5006
Homepage : http://www.gccity.go.kr/foreign/english/index.jsp
 
Hanam
Location : 520 Sinjang 2-dong, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-790-6399
Homepage : http://www.ihanam.net/
 
Hwaseong
Location : 2000 Namyang-dong, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-355-2114
Homepage : http://www.hscity.net/english/
 
Icheon
Location : 187 Jungri-dong, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-790-6399
Homepage : http://www.icheon.go.kr/
 
Gimpo
Location : 263-1, Sayu-dong, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-984-2181
Homepage : http://www.gimpo.go.kr/html/english/sub1_1.htm
 
Gwangmyeong
Location : 222-1, Cheolsan-3 dong , Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-2-2686-0011
Homepage : http://eng.gm.go.kr/
 
Gwangju
Location : 248 Songjeong-dong, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-761-2681
Homepage : http://english.gjcity.go.kr/
 
Namyangju
Location : 185-10, Geumgok-dong, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-590-2114
Homepage : http://english.nyj.go.kr/
 
Osan
Location : 915 Osan-dong, Osan-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-370-3114
Homepage : http://www.osan.go.kr/en/
 
Paju
Location : 215 Adong-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-940-4114
Homepage : http://en.paju.go.kr/city/mayor_01.jsp
 
Pocheon
Location : 58-2 Sineup-dong, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL : 82-31-533-5961 
Homepage : http://pcs21.net/foreign/english/main/
 
Pyeongtaek
Location : 846 Bijeon-dong, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-653-3000
Homepage : http://www.pyeongtaek.go.kr/pub/eng/eng.jsp
 
Seongnam
Location : 3309 Taepyeong 2-dong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province 
TEL:82-31-755-2211
Homepage : http://www.cans21.net/EN/Main/Main.asp
 
Siheung
Location : 300 Janghyeon-dong, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-317-2000
Homepage : http://www.shcity.net/english/index.jsp
 
Suwon
Location : 1111, Ingye-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-228-2114
Homepage : http://eng.suwon.ne.kr/main_view.asp?page_id=main
 
Uijeongbu
Location : 326-2, Uijeongbu-dong, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-828-2114
Homepage : http://www.ui4u.net/site/english/
 
Uiwang
Location : 171 Gocheon-dong, Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-345-2114
Homepage : http://www.uw21.net/eng/HTML/index.html
 
Yangpyeong
Location : 448-8 Yanggeun-ri, Yangpyeong-eup, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province
TEL :82-31-773-5101
Homepage : http://www.yp21.net/eng/
 
Yangju
Location : 1-1 Nambang-dong, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-820-2114
Homepage : http://www.yangju.gyeonggi.kr/yangju_eng/index.asp
 
Yeoncheon
Location : 290-1 Chatan-ri, Yeoncheon-eup , Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-834-2211
Homepage : http://iyc21.net/_foreign/eng/main/
 
Yeoju
Location : 4 Hongmun-ri, Yeoju-eup, Yeoju-gun, Gyeonggi Province
TEL : 82-31-880-1200
Homepage : http://www.yeoju.gyeonggi.kr/eng/intro/greeting.asp
 
Yongin
Location : 286 Gimnyangjang-dong, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province
TEL:82-31-333-1751
Homepage : http://en.yonginsi.net/


the source - http://english.gg.go.kr/renewal/about/goverment/map.htm