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. 

  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

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.

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