Gangneung

Information

Country:	South Korea
Population:	216,330 inhab.
Mayor:	Mr. Kim Han-Geun
Area:	1’040 km²
Official language:	Korean
Official website:	www.gn.go.kr
Olympic edition:	Winter Olympic Games Pyeongchang 2018

A Central Growing Base City

Gangneung is the largest city among coastal cities located in Gangwon province and also the third largest city among all cities in the province. It nestles on the east side of South Korea’s longest mountain range, Taebaek. The Taebaek Mountains stretch along the eastern edge of the Korean Peninsula and run along the East Sea. Gangneung is able to preserve its unique culture due to geological factors such as mountain ranges.

Gangneung is one of the host cities of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games, where all on-the-ice games and matches are hosted. In preparation for the event, Gangneung is slated to be linked to Seoul by a high-speed train which can cut down nearly an hour of travel time. Therefore, it will take slightly over one hour to travel from Seoul to Gangneung by train. The city stands as a central growing city of industry, culture, transportation, tourism, and education.

Touristic resources

The city is the center of culture and education in the eastern part of Korea. Clean water and beaches on the east coast are well-known tourist sites for Koreans.

Gangneung is not only a city of art that keeps the charm and tradition of old cities, but also a cultural city with an abundance of natural attributes and numerous outstanding features. Natural touristic resources in Gangneung are divided into coastal and mountain regions. The coastal and mountainous regions which are central to Gangneung provide the best tourist attractions.

With having superb scenic views of untapped regions, Gangneung is working on future development and will figure as a core venue for the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

Gangneung’s Beautiful Pine Trees

Gangneung is known as the Pine City because the region is famous for its pine trees.

The pine forests stand beautifully with the fresh pine scent everywhere. The trees frame the view of the sea, which give us a glimpse of its deep blue colour peeking through the dark intertwined trunks of trees. The city’s prized heritage attractions, the old houses at Seongyojang and Ojukeon, have huge and majestic ancient pines growing around them, some of which are more than five hundred years old. It is magnificent to see these pine trees covered in snow in midwinter.

LEGACY STAKEHOLDERS AFFILIATED TO THE UNION

PyeongChang County

Description

Pyeongchang is located in South Korea’s Gangwon province in the Taebaek Mountains region, only a few hours from Seoul. The city became a hub of activity for winter sports lovers in addition to offering year round activities. The area is very popular with mountain hikers. Known as the “Alps of Korea”, Pyeongchang is at the center of Korea’s ski industry and is a compelling factor in the popularization of sport nationwide. Hosting the 2018 Winter Games allowed Pyeongchang to exchange inspirations and share the Koreans’ warm and unique hospitality.