Gangneung

Infobox Korean settlement
logo=Gangneungs.pnghangul=강릉시
hanja=江陵市
rr=Gangneung-si
mr=Kangnŭng-si
area_km2=1040
pop=229869|popnote=Gangneung City (2003). [http://www.gangneung.go.kr/english/main_sub.jsp?qp=01_02 Population & Households] . Retrieved January 14, 2006.]
popyear=2006
popden_km2=221
divs=1 "eup", 7 "myeon", 13 "dong" [Gangneung City (2003). [http://www.gangneung.go.kr/english/main.jsp Location] . Retrieved January 14, 2006.]

Gangneung is a city in Gangwon-do, on the east coast of South Korea. It has a population of 229,869 (as of 2006). Gangneung is the economic centre of the Yeongdong region of eastern Gangwon Province. There are a number of historical remains, including an ancient shrine ("Ojukheon") and "Gyongpodae". Gangneung is a national tourist destination, offering good bathing facilities in the Sea of Japan. There is a ROK airbase south of Gangneung which formerly doubled as a civil airport. [US Forces Korea (2004). [http://www.korea.army.mil/org/history/kbases/alist.htm Alphabetical Listing] . Retrieved January 14, 2006.]

The city is also home to National League soccer club Gangneung City.

Symbols of Gangneung

The flag of the city shows a red sun in the centre and blue wave in front, on a white background. The sun represents the sunrise, the wave the sea. The flower of the city is the crepe myrtle, the tree of the city is the pine tree, its bird the swan. The animal of Gangneung is the tiger. [Gangneung City (2003). [http://www.gangneung.go.kr/english/main_sub.jsp?qp=01_02 Symbols] . Retrieved January 14, 2006.]

Gyeongpodae

Gangneung is considered special in that is has both access to a lake and the sea. Gyeongpodae is a legendary pavilion overlooking Gangneung's lake. It's said that one can see the moon five times when at Gyeongpodae. This is once in the sky, once reflected in the lake, once reflected in the sea, once reflected in the drinking glass and once more in the eyes of the lover. The site of Gyeongpodae is known for its beautiful location east of the centre of the city.Korea Tourism Organization (2005). [http://english.tour2korea.com/03Sightseeing/DestinationsByRegions/Depth04.asp?oid=&sightseeing_id=282&ADDRESS_1=15741&ADDRESS_2=14104&sight=sightseeing&konum=1&kosm=m3_1 Gyeongpodae] . Retrieved January 14, 2006.]

Inside the Gyeongpodae pavilion, built with 28 pillars, is located the "Gyeongpodaebu", a poem by Yul Gok. "Gyeongpodaebu" describes the movement of the heaven and the moon. The best view of the moon is on the 15th of the lunar month.

Sunrise

Sunrises, especially the first in the New Year, are important in traditional Korean culture. The Jeongdongjin and Gyeongpo beaches in Gangneung are popular places to enjoy a sunrise.Fact|date=February 2007

Gallery

Sister cities

* Gangseo-gu, Seoul since February 26, 2004
* Seo-gu, Daejeon since May 25, 2004
* Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do since July 6, 2004
* Buk-gu, Daegu since October 29, 2004
* Seocho-gu, Seoul since March 23, 2006
* Chichibu, Saitama since February 16, 1983
* Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province since May 11, 1999
* Chattanooga, Tennessee since October 30, 2003
* Jingzhou, Hubei Province since October 19, 2004

ee also

*List of cities in South Korea

External links

* [http://www.gangneung.go.kr/english/ City government home page]
* [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Asia/South_Korea/Gangwon/Gangneung/ Open Directory category]

References