Chuncheon

Quality 0.50 · 2 views · Updated 2 months ago

City in Gangwon, South Korea

title: "Chuncheon" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["chuncheon", "cities-in-gangwon-province,-south-korea"] description: "City in Gangwon, South Korea" topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuncheon" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary City in Gangwon, South Korea ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameChuncheon
native_name춘천
settlement_typeMunicipal city
translit_lang1Korean
translit_lang1_type1Hangul
translit_lang1_info1춘천시
translit_lang1_type2Hanja
translit_lang1_info2春川市
translit_lang1_type3Revised Romanization
translit_lang1_info3Chuncheon-si
translit_lang1_type4McCune–Reischauer
translit_lang1_info4Ch'unch'ŏn-si
image_skyline{{multiple image
caption_aligncenter
borderinfobox
total_width300
perrow1/2/2/2
colorwhite
image12016년 7월 22일 춘천시 전경 DSC03810.jpg
caption1Panoramic view of Chuncheon
image2Naminara Island.jpg
caption2Namiseom
image3KBS Chuncheon Broadcasting Branch Office-01.jpg
caption3KBS Chuncheon
image4KangwonUniv Mirae.jpg
caption4Kangwon National University
image520231226 레고랜드코리아 정문 전경.jpg
caption5Legoland Korea
image6국립춘천박물관 정면.jpg
caption6Chuncheon National Museum
image7Chuncheon City Hall 231207.jpg
caption7Chuncheon City Hall
image_mapGangwon-Chuncheon.svg
map_captionLocation in South Korea
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameSouth Korea
subdivision_type1State
subdivision_name1Gangwon Province, South Korea
area_total_km21,116.41
population_as_ofSeptember 2024
population_total286,124
population_density_km2225
parts_typeAdministrative divisions
parts1 eup, 9 myeon, 15 dong
coordinates
blank_nameClimate
blank_infoDwa
image_flagFlag of Chuncheon.svg
area_code+82-33-2xx
blank_emblem_typeBadge
government_footnotes
leader_titleMayor
leader_nameYuk Dong-han ()
leader_name1
::

| name = Chuncheon | native_name = 춘천 | settlement_type = Municipal city | translit_lang1 = Korean | translit_lang1_type1 = Hangul | translit_lang1_info1 = 춘천시 | translit_lang1_type2 = Hanja | translit_lang1_info2 = 春川市 | translit_lang1_type3 = Revised Romanization | translit_lang1_info3 = Chuncheon-si | translit_lang1_type4 = McCune–Reischauer | translit_lang1_info4 = Ch'unch'ŏn-si | image_skyline = {{multiple image | caption_align = center | border = infobox | total_width = 300 | perrow = 1/2/2/2 | color = white | image1 = 2016년 7월 22일 춘천시 전경 DSC03810.jpg | caption1 = Panoramic view of Chuncheon | image2 = Naminara Island.jpg | caption2 = Namiseom | image3 = KBS Chuncheon Broadcasting Branch Office-01.jpg | caption3 = KBS Chuncheon | image4 = KangwonUniv Mirae.jpg | caption4 = Kangwon National University | image5 = 20231226 레고랜드코리아 정문 전경.jpg | caption5 = Legoland Korea | image6 = 국립춘천박물관 정면.jpg | caption6 = Chuncheon National Museum | image7 = Chuncheon City Hall 231207.jpg | caption7 = Chuncheon City Hall | image_map = Gangwon-Chuncheon.svg | mapsize = | map_caption = Location in South Korea | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = South Korea | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Gangwon Province, South Korea | area_total_km2 = 1,116.41 | population_as_of = September 2024 | population_total = 286,124 | population_density_km2 = 225 | parts_type = Administrative divisions | parts = 1 eup, 9 myeon, 15 dong | coordinates = | blank_name = Climate | blank_info = Dwa | image_flag = Flag of Chuncheon.svg | area_code = +82-33-2xx | blank_emblem_type = Badge | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Yuk Dong-han () | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Gangwon_Provincial_Office_Annex_(1).jpg" caption="Gangwon Provincial Office Annex in Chuncheon"] ::

Chuncheon (; ; literally spring river), formerly spelled as Ch'unch'ŏn, is the capital of the state of Gangwon, South Korea. The city lies in the north of the country, located in a basin formed by the Soyang River and Han River. There are some large lakes around the city, most notably Soyang Lake and Uiam Lake (or Uiam Dam). The area has small river islands, such as Sangjungdo, Ha-Jungdo, Bungeodo, and Wido.

It is a popular destination among East Asian tourists as it was featured in the popular South Korean TV drama Winter Sonata. It is where the resort island of Namiseom is located. Also, Gangwon Provincial Office is located in the city.

History

The area now occupied by the city was first settled several thousands of years ago, in prehistoric times, as demonstrated by stone-age archaeological evidence in the collections of Chuncheon National Museum and Hallym University Museum. In 637 AD the city was called Usooju. In 757 AD it was renamed Saku and again in 940 AD as Chunju () before receiving its current name in 1413. In 1896, Chuncheon became the capital city of Gangwon province. The city was largely destroyed during the Korean War in the Battle of Chuncheon.

Uiam Dam on the Bukhan River was completed in 1967. In 1995 Chuncheon city was merged with the government of the surrounding Chuncheon county.

Culture

In the spring, the Chuncheon International Mime Festival is held, as well as the Spring Season Art Festival. In the summer, the Chuncheon Puppet Festival takes place. There is also a Makguksu festival; a cold noodle dish that originated in Chuncheon. Also celebrated in the summer is the International Animation Festival. The city has had its own annual marathon race since 1946; the Chuncheon Marathon is held every October. In winter, snow and ice festivals are organized. Currently, MAC Architects-Consultants Group Ltd. () is building the Design and Arts Arcadia of Myungseung in Chuncheon.

According to the legend surrounding the temple Cheongpyeongsa in Chuncheon, a man loved a princess so much that he became a snake and would not leave her alone. When she begged leave to collect rice from the temple, the snake let her go but then went looking for her, only to be struck dead by lightning. The princess then buried him at the temple.

Food

The city was historically known as a chicken farming region, and is famous for "dak galbi", which translates as chicken ribs. It consists of chicken, sliced cabbage, sweet potatoes, tteok (rice cakes), and scallions, mixed with a spicy sauce heavy on gochujang. It is usually cooked in a big iron pan in the center of the table, but the original method is over charcoal. Despite the name, the dish is traditionally made from leg meat, not ribs. There is even a street in the city dedicated to restaurants serving the dish, with some 25 restaurants populating the area.

Also, the regional specialty Makguksu noodles are famed throughout the country.

Tourism

Festivities

Cultural festival

Gim Yujeong munhakje is a literature festival that takes place in April every year in memorial of the novelist Gim Yujeong. Uiam jae is another festival in April in which people worship Nongae who sacrificed herself for the country. In May, the Chuncheon International Mime Festival gathers troupes from places including Denmark, Taiwan, Germany etc., to give theatre and dance performance. Chuncheon art festival in July provides performers with opportunities to show off their talents and skills. Chuncheon International Early Music Festival also takes place in July with a wide range of classical traditional music of Korea. Chuncheon Puppet Festival showcases traditional puppet shows every August while traditional theatre plays are performed on Chuncheon International Theatre Festival in September Chuncheon International AniTown Festival in September is a free event that enables participants to learn more about animation production.

Local festivals

In August, visitors can enjoy traditional Chuncheon cuisines like Dak-galbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) and Mak-guksu (buckwheat noodles) during the Chuncheon Dakgalbi & Makguksu Festival. The Soyang festival, which takes place in September, promotes the cultural history of the Soyang Dam.

Leisure sports festival

There are three marathons in Chuncheon every year. The National inlineskate Chuncheon Marathon takes place in April while The Chosun Ilbo Chuncheon Marathon and the Lakeside Chuncheon Marathon Festival are both held in October. People participate in Chuncheon Open International Taekwondo Championships in June to compete for championship in the Korean martial arts Taekwondo. Gangchon national MTB Challenge Competition September is a mountain bike racing festival.

Legoland Korea Resort

Main article: Legoland Korea Resort

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/20231226_레고랜드코리아_정문_전경.jpg" caption="[[Legoland Korea"] ::

Legoland Korea Resort in Chuncheon covers 280,000 square meters, making it the 2nd largest in Asia behind Legoland Malaysia Resort.

Economy

Chuncheon is the market center for agricultural produce from the surrounding area. The main products are rice and soybeans. Since the 1960s light industry has become dominant in the city. After the huge success of the TV drama Winter Sonata, the city has also become a major "Korean Wave" (Han-ryu, 한류) tourist destination, attracting visitors from around East Asia.

Legoland Korea on Jungdo Island opened on May 5, 2022, featuring seven clusters with different themes and 40 attractions.

There are hydroelectric powerplants in the area around Chuncheon. The Soyang Dam is the largest sand gravel dam in East Asia.

Population

Per Korean census data, Chuncheon's population has grown steadily over the past half century. | 1965 | 191,576 | 1970 | 209,821 | 1975 | 204,246 | 1980 | 210,985 | 1985 | 213,198 | 1990 | 217,869 | 1995 | 233,016 | 2000 | 251,991 | 2005 | 256,455 | 2010 | 272,739 | 2015 | 281,725 | 2020 | 284,645 | align = none | source = Statistics Korea (1965-2015), citypopulation.de (2020)

Education

;National Universities

Transportation

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/춘천역.JPG" caption="[[Chuncheon station"] ::

As of June 2014, there are two train stations in the Chuncheon suburban area: the terminus of the Gyeongchun Line, Chuncheon station, and the busier Namchuncheon station. Gimyujeong, Baegyang-ri, Gulbongsan, and Gangchon stations, all located in rural Chuncheon, attract tourists. Gangchon is one of the most favorite recreational destinations for university students. The Gyeongchun Line is a double track rapid transit commuter train that connects to Yongsan, Cheongnyangni and Sangbong stations in Seoul. On 21 December 2010, a new realignment of the Gyeongchun Line was opened, and several new or transferable stations have since been opened to replace the existing stations outside Chuncheon, such as Cheonmasan, Sinnae, and Byeollae.

There is the Gyeongchun Line subway in Chuncheon. If you use the Gyeongchun Line, you can get to Chuncheon in an hour and a half from Seoul.

Chuncheon is the northern terminus of the publicly funded Jungang Expressway, and the main destination of the privately run Seoul-Chuncheon Expressway, also known as Gyeongchun Expressway that connects to Seoul and Hongcheon-east. As of 2017, the expressway has been extended to east coast city of Yangyang, thus renamed to Seoul-Yangyang Expressway. Chuncheon Bus Terminal connects to all major cities in mainland South Korea.

On National roads-wise, Chuncheon is also the main strategic destination that connects between Changwon to Cheolwon of Route (Number) 5, Incheon to Goseong of 46, and Cheolwon to Yangyang of 56.

There are also river transport facilities in Soyangho (Lake Soyang), which connects to Cheongpyeongsa (청평사, Buddhist) temple.

Climate

Chuncheon has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (Köppen: Dwa) with cold, dry winters and hot, rainy summers. The lowest measured temperature was −27.9 °C (6 February 1969), and the highest was 39.5 °C (1 August 2018). The annual precipitation is an average of 1347.3 mm.

| location = Chuncheon (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1966–present) | metric first = Y | single line = Y

| Jan record high C = 12.7 | Feb record high C = 19.9 | Mar record high C = 23.5 | Apr record high C = 32.0 | May record high C = 34.0 | Jun record high C = 36.4 | Jul record high C = 37.2 | Aug record high C = 39.5 | Sep record high C = 34.7 | Oct record high C = 28.5 | Nov record high C = 24.8 | Dec record high C = 16.6 | year record high C = 39.5

| Jan high C = 1.9 | Feb high C = 5.4 | Mar high C = 11.6 | Apr high C = 18.9 | May high C = 24.3 | Jun high C = 28.1 | Jul high C = 29.3 | Aug high C = 29.9 | Sep high C = 25.6 | Oct high C = 19.6 | Nov high C = 11.2 | Dec high C = 3.5 | year high C = 17.4

| Jan mean C = -4.1 | Feb mean C = -1.0 | Mar mean C = 5.0 | Apr mean C = 11.7 | May mean C = 17.6 | Jun mean C = 22.2 | Jul mean C = 24.9 | Aug mean C = 25.0 | Sep mean C = 19.8 | Oct mean C = 12.7 | Nov mean C = 5.3 | Dec mean C = -2.0 | year mean C = 11.4

| Jan low C = -9.3 | Feb low C = -6.7 | Mar low C = -1.1 | Apr low C = 4.7 | May low C = 11.3 | Jun low C = 17.0 | Jul low C = 21.3 | Aug low C = 21.3 | Sep low C = 15.3 | Oct low C = 7.5 | Nov low C = 0.4 | Dec low C = -6.6 | year low C = 6.3

| Jan record low C = -25.6 | Feb record low C = -27.9 | Mar record low C = -16.2 | Apr record low C = -6.4 | May record low C = 1.6 | Jun record low C = 5.6 | Jul record low C = 11.7 | Aug record low C = 11.3 | Sep record low C = 1.9 | Oct record low C = -5.4 | Nov record low C = -15.8 | Dec record low C = -21.7 | year record low C = -27.9

| precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 18.6 | Feb precipitation mm = 27.6 | Mar precipitation mm = 33.5 | Apr precipitation mm = 71.5 | May precipitation mm = 99.4 | Jun precipitation mm = 122.9 | Jul precipitation mm = 398.2 | Aug precipitation mm = 319.9 | Sep precipitation mm = 128.1 | Oct precipitation mm = 49.3 | Nov precipitation mm = 48.3 | Dec precipitation mm = 24.2 | year precipitation mm = 1341.5

| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm | Jan precipitation days = 6.2 | Feb precipitation days = 5.9 | Mar precipitation days = 7.3 | Apr precipitation days = 8.3 | May precipitation days = 9.1 | Jun precipitation days = 9.9 | Jul precipitation days = 15.6 | Aug precipitation days = 14.0 | Sep precipitation days = 8.3 | Oct precipitation days = 6.0 | Nov precipitation days = 8.0 | Dec precipitation days = 7.5 | year precipitation days =

| Jan snow days = 8.8 | Feb snow days = 6.3 | Mar snow days = 3.9 | Apr snow days = 0.2 | May snow days = 0.0 | Jun snow days = 0.0 | Jul snow days = 0.0 | Aug snow days = 0.0 | Sep snow days = 0.0 | Oct snow days = 0.0 | Nov snow days = 1.8 | Dec snow days = 6.7 | year snow days = 27.7

| Jan humidity = 68.0 | Feb humidity = 63.2 | Mar humidity = 60.6 | Apr humidity = 58.8 | May humidity = 65.0 | Jun humidity = 70.6 | Jul humidity = 80.0 | Aug humidity = 80.5 | Sep humidity = 78.2 | Oct humidity = 76.2 | Nov humidity = 73.3 | Dec humidity = 71.5 | year humidity = 70.5

| Jan sun = 170.0 | Feb sun = 174.3 | Mar sun = 199.9 | Apr sun = 210.1 | May sun = 227.5 | Jun sun = 205.0 | Jul sun = 144.2 | Aug sun = 166.3 | Sep sun = 173.3 | Oct sun = 178.9 | Nov sun = 141.8 | Dec sun = 148.4 | year sun = 2139.7

| Jan percentsun = 54.1 | Feb percentsun = 56.6 | Mar percentsun = 53.3 | Apr percentsun = 54.5 | May percentsun = 50.2 | Jun percentsun = 45.3 | Jul percentsun = 32.1 | Aug percentsun = 40.1 | Sep percentsun = 46.6 | Oct percentsun = 50.0 | Nov percentsun = 46.4 | Dec percentsun = 50.0 | year percentsun = 47.7

| source = Korea Meteorological Administration (snow and percent sunshine 1981–2010) | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220129211110/https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf | archive-date = 29 January 2022 | url = https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf | title = Climatological Normals of Korea (1991 ~ 2020) | publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration | access-date = 4 April 2022 | pages = II-19, II-20, II-453 | language = ko}} | url = https://data.kma.go.kr/climate/extremum/selectExtremumList.do?pgmNo=103 | publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration | access-date = 10 October 2021 | script-title = ko:순위값 - 구역별조회 | language = ko}} | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161207185450/http://www.kma.go.kr/down/Climatological_2010.pdf | archive-date = 7 December 2016 | url = http://www.kma.go.kr/down/Climatological_2010.pdf | publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration | access-date = 7 December 2016 | title = Climatological Normals of Korea | date = 2011 | page = 499 and 649}}

Sports

International competitions

High1 () is an ice hockey team based in Chuncheon. The club was a member of the Asia League Ice Hockey between 2005 and 2019.

Domestic competitions

Chuncheon's association football club, Chuncheon FC, is a member of the K4 League, a semi-professional football competition and the fourth tier of the South Korean football league system. The club was founded on 27 February 2010 with its home at the Chuncheon Stadium.

Notable people

Sister cities

Chuncheon protested against the enactment of "Day of Takeshima" ordinance of Shimane Prefecture, which expressed dispute over the Dokdo Islands, and announced suspension of its sisterhood relationship with Kakamigahara in March 2005. ::data[format=table]

CityStateCountryYear launchedYear terminated
Higashichikuma DistrictNagano PrefectureJapan8 June 1984
HōfuYamaguchi PrefectureJapan29 October 1991
Dongdaemun DistrictSeoulSouth Korea2003
AnsanGyeonggi ProvinceSouth Korea2011
KakamigaharaGifu PrefectureJapan31 October 200325 June 2005
Addis AbabaAddis Ababa (State)Ethiopia2 May 2004
ChicagoIllinoisUnited States1998
NanyangHenanPRC China15 September 2012
::

References

References

  1. (2024). "Population statistics".
  2. (2024). "chuncheon mayor".
  3. (1978). "A Handbook of Korea". Korean Overseas Information Service, Ministry of Culture and Information.
  4. Cin Woo Lee [http://www.cnngo.com/seoul/visit/33-beautiful-temples-enlightenment-857401 "Simply stunning: 33 incredible Korean temples"] {{Webarchive. link. (17 April 2012 ''CNN Go''. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012)
  5. "Hansik.org".
  6. link. (27 September 2007 , Tour2Korea.com, Retrieved on 14 April 2006)
  7. "Tour.chuncheon.go.kr".
  8. "Tour.chuncheon.go.kr".
  9. "Tour.chuncheon.go.kr".
  10. "Tour.chuncheon.go.kr".
  11. "Tour.chuncheon.go.kr".
  12. "CITF".
  13. "GimC:Gangwon Information & Multimedia Corporation".
  14. link
  15. "Tour.chuncheon.go.kr".
  16. "Tour.chuncheon.go.kr".
  17. 춘천호반마라톤대회. 2018 함기용 세계제패기념 제15회. link
  18. "Tour.chuncheon.go.kr".
  19. "koreaopentkd.org".
  20. "Tour.chuncheon.go.kr".
  21. (September 28, 2021). "Korea's own Legoland to open next May".
  22. [http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/eng/sub02/sub02_06_05.html A promo page of Gangwon Drama Gallery] {{webarchive. link. (27 September 2007 , Chuncheon, 2005)
  23. (5 May 2014). "Legoland Korea, a decade in the making, opens on Children's Day".
  24. [http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Travel2/kangwon/366 Lake Soyang (Gangwon province)] {{webarchive. link. (11 September 2007)
  25. link
  26. [https://www.citypopulation.de/en/southkorea/cities/ Chuncheon population statistics]
  27. In contrast of private-owned Seoul-Chuncheon, The current line of Chuncheon Junction to East [[Hongcheon]] interchange is run by [[Korea Expressway Corporation. KEC]], publicly.
  28. "Chuncheon climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Chuncheon weather averages".
  29. [http://www.kma.go.kr/weather/climate/extreme_daily.jsp?type=min_temp&mm=13&x=34&y=5 전년 일최저기온 (°C) 최저순위, 지점:101 지명:춘천] Korea Meteorological Administration
  30. Kyodo News. (18 March 2005). link

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

chuncheoncities-in-gangwon-province,-south-korea