Chuncheon (춘천시) is a city in Gangwon-do. The population as of 2004 was 255,563, including:
- 254,323 Koreans and
- 1,240 non-Koreans.
Chuncheon is famous for its dak-galbi, available in restaurants all over town. The city's notable claim to fame is being the filming location for the staggeringly popular Korean drama, Winter Sonata. There's an impressively large dam, and several islands to explore, including Jung-do with recreation facilities, like windsurfing, bicycling and camping.
[edit] Education
There are two large universities in Chuncheon: Kangwon National University and Hallym University.
[edit] Banking
The Citybank, located near the city hall near the main circle, has a machine capable of drawing money from foreign debit and credit cards. The machine is in the main part of the bank, not in the foyer, and is the one on the right. A couple of the tellers in this bank speak adequate English and will help one to use the machine if needed.
[edit] Shopping and restaurants
[edit] Shopping
Myeongdong Street in downtown Chuncheon.
Chuncheon has a Myeongdong Street, similar in appearance to Myeongdong in Seoul, only smaller. Myeongdong Street has a number of brand-name clothing boutiques and a few Western fast food restaurants, such as McDonald's and KFC. There is also a Primus Cinema, which shows six movies at a time. Myeongdong Street abuts Department Store Street (백화점길), which has a Dongseo Department Store and which intersects with a newer part of the Myeongdong area. Below the area is an underground shopping center with several Korean and donkkaseu restaurants. One end of Myeongdong touches Central Market (중앙시장), an indoor-outdoor market off of Jungangno, with the usual market wares: clothing, produce, bedding, and food. This section of town---Myeongdong, Central Market, and the underground mall---is accessible by virtually all local buses, and is a 2,500 won taxi ride from the bus terminal.
There is an E-Mart directly next to the bus terminal which has, besides the usual department store wares, a grocery store. For more information on grocery shopping, see supermarkets in Chuncheon.
Touching Myeongdong Street is Dak-galbi Street, with scores of restaurants devoted to the local specialty dak-galbi. Such restaurants can be found all throughout the city, although this particular area features many hofs, noraebang, and stores, adding to its popularity.
The Ice Trees of Chuncheon
[edit] Restaurants and Bars
[edit] Restaurants
For Korean fare, see Korean Restaurants in Chuncheon.
For Chinese cuisine, see Chinese restaurants in Chuncheon.
As the average Korean, Japanese, and Chinese restaurants are in abundance throughout Korea and are easy for foreigners to find, the following restaurants reflect a sampling of restaurants considered to be either popular or are western-friendly choices and other ethnic foods.
[edit] Tourism
There are tourist bureaus in the intercity bus terminal, at the Namchuncheon Station. The main one is at the Drama Gallery on Namburo, a few blocks north of the bus terminal.
[edit] Accommodation
[edit] Bath-houses
[edit] Museums
- National Museum [1]is on the east side of town.
- Museum of Animation is across the river.
- National University Museum [2]
- Central Museum of Gangwon
- Gangwon Police Museum
- Hyeonam Folk Museum
- Hallym University Museum
- Jung-do Island in Ulam Lake.
- Gongjicheon Sculpture Park [3] in the Southwest part of town. Lots of sculptures of the sort usually found in Korean parks, children hugging and such.
- Ethiopian war memorial is adjacent - it's a big spire in honor of Ethiopian troops who fought in the Korean War. They had 112 fatalities and 536 who were wounded in battle in the Hwacheon-Cheorwon area.
- Provincial Arboretum [4]
- Wido is an island several kms. north of the city center, just a bit west of the arboretum. Its buildings are undergoing reconstruction and Wido is scheduled to reopen sometime in 2010.
[edit] Rural points of interest
[edit] Soyang Dam and Ferries
End of the road at Soyang Dam
City buses 11, 12 and 12-1 go to the dam from Chuncheon. You can catch them near the intercity bus station - head north to the first stoplight, cross that street then go west a few meters to the first bus stop. They run a couple times an hour.
Here, on the way to the boat docks you'll find about 30 little eating places. Strangely they all sell the same things: Shellfish, twigim, gamjajeon, and corn. In summer you can buy bottled water for 1,000 won. One place did sell a few boiled sweet potatoes and another had some fried grasshoppers. If you prefer to eat anything else, then eat before you arrive. There are some restaurants a couple kilometers before the climb to above the dam begins.
There are public rest rooms on the hill before you drop down to the boat docks. Consider using these before going down, to save yourself a long climb back up.
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Getting there
- Air. Seoul and Incheon are the nearest airports
- Bus. Buses reach Chuncheon from all major cities in the country.
- Train. The Geongchunseon.
- Highway. Drive Expressway Rte 55 from the south, Highway 45 from Seoul and various roads over the mountains from the east.
[edit] Local transport
The city is fairly well covered by buses, which cost 1100 won for local trips. Also, transportation between major points in the city can be done conveniently by taxi, with fares between 3,000 and 5,000 won.
[edit] External Links
