Gongju (공주시, 公州市; public.province.city) is a city in Chungcheongnam-do. The population as of 2004 was 131,140, including:
- 130,280 Koreans and
- 860 non-Koreans.
[edit] General information
Though Gongju has a population of over 100,000, it can only be reached by trains such as the Mugunghwa and buses, and thus does not really feel like a city so much as a town. Note that trains do not go through the town; one must get off at Jochiwon and take a bus to Gongju.
It is located at 36°27´N 127°7´E).
- Number of households: 45,146 (2002.12)
- Administrative divisions: 1 eup, 10 myeon, 6 dong
- Location of city hall: 319 Bonghwang-dong, Gongju-shi (공주시 봉황동 319)
- City flower: 개나리
- City tree: Zelkova (느티나무)
- City bird: Magpie (까치)
- City animal: Bear (곰)
To the east of Gongju is the city of Daejeon and the county of Yeongi in Chungcheongnam-do, to the west are the counties of Yesan and Cheongyang, to the south is the city of Nonsan and the county of Buyeo, and to the north are the cities of Asan and Cheonan.
As the city is located away from the sea it lacks its moderating influence. The average yearly temperature is 11.8℃, the average in January is 0℃, and the average in August is 24.1℃. The average yearly precipitation is 1,373.9mm.
[edit] Famous Koreans from Gongju
[edit] Restaurants
For Korean food, there's a Bonjuk at the main intersection downtown. A Byeongcheon Sundae place is a block south of the hospital on the main drag. Some good and quite inexpensive places exist scattered around the Sanseong Shijang.
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] Shopping
- DC King Mart
- Hanaro Mart is north of the river, on Beonyeongno.
- Hi-Mart
- Gongju-Mart is right next to the shinae bus terminal.
- Lucky Halin Mart is located on the main street a few blocks south of the fortress entrance.
[edit] Tourism
The nearest international airport is Incheon International Airport. It may be possible to arrange a transfer from Gimpo International Airport to the airport in Daejeon and take a bus from there (35 km), but a bus going straight from the airport is the usual method.
Gongju is home to a restored fortress. There's a national museum here, and large burial mounds.
A catholic martyr site is on a hill just west of the Jemincheon river, along the road to the national museum.
Gongju has four particularly nice temples:
[edit] Nature
Geumgang River
[edit] External links
