Suncheon, South Korea
Encyclopedia
Suncheon is a city
in Jeollanam-do
, South Korea. Located in the province of Jeollanam-do
,
It is a scenic agricultural and industrial city of around 250,000 people near Suncheon Bay
. It is located in the southeastern corner of Jeollanam-do, just over an hour south-east of Gwangju
. Forty minutes south of Suncheon is the port city of Yeosu
, and twenty minutes to the east of Suncheon is Gwangyang
.
It is currently experiencing strong development due to being included as part of the Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone, one of three newly created Free Economic Zone
s (FEZs) in South Korea due to open within the next decade. As of October 14, 2007 plans are being set up and a referendum is being planned for a merging of the cities of Yeosu
, Suncheon and Gwangyang
into a new metropolitan city, taking advantage of the Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone, Yeosu's Expo 2012
bid and port facilities, Suncheon's educational institutes and Gwangyang's POSCO
plant. http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200709/200709070009.html
- Called Seungpyeong-gun in 1036, Seongjong's second year as king.
- Raised to the status of Seungju-mok in 1309, the year Chungseon becomes king.
- Changed to Suncheon-gun in 1895, under Gojong's reign.
by Suncheon on August 13, 1949. The area is elevated to the City of Sunche on the 15th.
Other surrounding areas are put into the district of Seungju-gun.
, police, officials, and landlords. A couple days later, the rebellion was crushed by the South Korean military. Civilians thought to have aided the rebellion were also summarily executed.
The height is 12.5 m and the circumference is 3.98m. The tree is about 700 years old. According to the legend, the cane used by a Buddhist on his way back from China had grown into the tree. The tree is uniquely twisted form.
•Natural monument No, 88 (designated on Dec. 3, 1962).
•Ieub-ri, Songgwang-myeon (Songgwang Temple).
•Area 600 pyeong (1.98 km2).
The city also has friendship relations with:
Administrative divisions of South Korea
||South Korea is divided into 8 provinces , 1 special autonomous province , 6 metropolitan cities , and 1 special city...
in Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Jeolla province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...
, South Korea. Located in the province of Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Jeolla province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...
,
It is a scenic agricultural and industrial city of around 250,000 people near Suncheon Bay
Suncheon Bay
Located in Suncheon, Jeonnam in Korea, Suncheon Bay is a coastal wetland, composed of a 3.5 km long stream, a 2,221ha wide tideland and a 230ha wide field of reeds. Due to its natural coast, it is the habitat of migratory birds and plants and animals...
. It is located in the southeastern corner of Jeollanam-do, just over an hour south-east of Gwangju
Gwangju
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
. Forty minutes south of Suncheon is the port city of Yeosu
Yeosu
Yeosu is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Old Yeosu City, which was founded in 1949, Yeocheon City, founded in 1986, and Yeocheon County were merged into a new city in 1998....
, and twenty minutes to the east of Suncheon is Gwangyang
Gwangyang
Gwangyang is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Gwangyang city is the home of POSCO's Gwangyang Steel Works, the largest facility of its kind in the world.The city is also home to K-League soccer side Chunnam Dragons....
.
It is currently experiencing strong development due to being included as part of the Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone, one of three newly created Free Economic Zone
Free economic zone
Many countries have, or have had at some time, designated areas where companies are taxed very lightly or not at all to encourage development or for some other reason...
s (FEZs) in South Korea due to open within the next decade. As of October 14, 2007 plans are being set up and a referendum is being planned for a merging of the cities of Yeosu
Yeosu
Yeosu is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Old Yeosu City, which was founded in 1949, Yeocheon City, founded in 1986, and Yeocheon County were merged into a new city in 1998....
, Suncheon and Gwangyang
Gwangyang
Gwangyang is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Gwangyang city is the home of POSCO's Gwangyang Steel Works, the largest facility of its kind in the world.The city is also home to K-League soccer side Chunnam Dragons....
into a new metropolitan city, taking advantage of the Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone, Yeosu's Expo 2012
Expo 2012
Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea is an International Exposition recognized by the Bureau of International Expositions to be held in Yeosu, South Korea from May 12 to August 12, 2012...
bid and port facilities, Suncheon's educational institutes and Gwangyang's POSCO
POSCO
POSCO is a multinational steel-making company headquartered in Pohang, South Korea. It is the world's third-largest steelmaker by market value and the most profitable Asia-based steelmaker....
plant. http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200709/200709070009.html
The Era of The Unified Silla
- Named Seungpyeong-gun in 757, the 16th year of King Gyeongdeok's reignThe Era of Koryeo
- Renamed Seungju in 940, Taejo's 23rd year on the throne.- Called Seungpyeong-gun in 1036, Seongjong's second year as king.
- Raised to the status of Seungju-mok in 1309, the year Chungseon becomes king.
The Era of Joseon
- Taejong established the Suncheon Dohobu in the 13th year of reign, 1413.- Changed to Suncheon-gun in 1895, under Gojong's reign.
Aug. 15, 1949
- 9 ri's of Dosa-myeon and part of Haeryong-myeon (Wangji, Jorye, and Yeonhyang) are annexedby Suncheon on August 13, 1949. The area is elevated to the City of Sunche on the 15th.
Other surrounding areas are put into the district of Seungju-gun.
Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion
In October 1948, a rebellion swept Yeosu, Suncheon, and nearby towns, when South Korean soldiers refused to take part in the suppression of the ongoing Jeju uprising. The rebel forces killed a number of ROKRoK
RoK is a three-letter acronym. It can refer to:* Republic of Korea * Realms of Kaos, a roleplaying game* EverQuest: The Ruins of Kunark, an Everquest expansion* EverQuest II: Rise of Kunark, an Everquest II expansion...
, police, officials, and landlords. A couple days later, the rebellion was crushed by the South Korean military. Civilians thought to have aided the rebellion were also summarily executed.
Climate
Slogans
On its website, Suncheon is dubbed by its city council as the City of Beautiful People, and its slogan is "Aha! Suncheon." http://www.suncheon.go.kr/home/english/index.jspTemples
- Songgwang Temple: It is one of the Three Jewel Temples of KoreaThree Jewel Temples of KoreaThe Three Jewel Temples of Korea are the three principal Buddhist temples in Korea, each representing one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism, and all located in South Korea....
and a popular place for JinulJinulChinul or Jinul was a Korean monk of the Goryeo period, who is considered to be the most influential figure in the formation of Korean Seon Buddhism....
. The temple is located in Sinpyeong-ri, Songgwang-myeon. It is one of the Sambosachal along with Haein temple of Habcheon and Tongdo Temple of Yangsan. Jinul strived here to straighten out the incorrect religious faith and renew the tradition of BuddhismBuddhismBuddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
800 hundred years ago. The temple bore 16 state monks in the past. Today, the temple is home for monks from overseas and is a place to study the Buddhist culture of KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. The temple was first built at the end of Silla Kingdom and named Gilsang Temple. It was then renamed in the GoryeoGoryeoThe Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
dynasty under the reign of Myeongjong, to Songgwang Temple. Reconstructions were done after it was burnt down in the Joseon dynastyJoseon DynastyJoseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
, but was severely damaged again in 1948 and 1951. At present, 33 complexes have been restored after 8 reconstruction projects from 1984 to 1988. The temple is especially rich in wooden cultural assets. There are a total of 26 cultural assets, including 17 national cultural assets and 9 local ones. You will feel like a monk yourself, isolated from the world, as you enter Songgwang Temple, which is located 66 km away from GwangjuGwangjuGwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
and 47 km away from the SuncheonSuncheonSuncheon or Sunchon is the name of two Korean cities:*Sunchon, North Korea*Suncheon, South Korea...
train station. See the gigantic Seungbojeon and Jijangjeon on each side of Daeungjeon. Hear the soft wooden bells and the chanting of the sutra.
- Seonamsa: Seonamsa of Mount Jogye is located in Jukak-ri, Seungju-eup, SuncheonSuncheonSuncheon or Sunchon is the name of two Korean cities:*Sunchon, North Korea*Suncheon, South Korea...
. In the BaekjeBaekjeBaekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
Kingdom, Adohwasang had first built a small temple in the mountain and named it Biroam of Cheongnyangsan Mountain. The temple was named Seonamsa later in the SillaSillaSilla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
Kingdom by state monk Doseon. Seonamsa is known to be the melting pot of the various sects of Buddhism of the GoryeoGoryeoThe Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
dynasty. Cheontaejong was established here 900 years ago by Ui Cheon and the monk's airs have been carried down to the present age. Seonamsa, like Songgwangsa, is a library for studies of Korean Buddhist culture. A total of 18 cultural assets are found here, including 7 treasures and 11 local cultural assets. As you enter Seonamsa which is located 81 km away from GwangjuGwangjuGwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
and 27 km away from SuncheonSuncheonSuncheon or Sunchon is the name of two Korean cities:*Sunchon, North Korea*Suncheon, South Korea...
, wash away your worries on your way across the bridge Seungseongyo. Enjoy the visit to the 800 year old Jasaeng tea garden, the Jogye hiking course, and the beautiful natural surrounding.
- Cheonjaam, Ssanghyangsu: Belongs to the Chinese juniper family, and is technically named Juniperus Chinensi Limme.
The height is 12.5 m and the circumference is 3.98m. The tree is about 700 years old. According to the legend, the cane used by a Buddhist on his way back from China had grown into the tree. The tree is uniquely twisted form.
•Natural monument No, 88 (designated on Dec. 3, 1962).
•Ieub-ri, Songgwang-myeon (Songgwang Temple).
•Area 600 pyeong (1.98 km2).
Castles
- Nagan CastleNagan CastleNaganeupseong is a Korean castle in Nagan-myeon, Suncheon, Jeollanamdo, South Korea.Naganeupseong is the only remaining Joseon dynasty castle in Jeollanamdo....
, the only remaining JoseonJoseon DynastyJoseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
castle in Jeollanamdo. It is well-preserved and has many festivals like the Namdo food festival. - Suncheon Japanese CastleSuncheon Japanese CastleSuncheon Japanese Castle, also known as Suncheon Waeseong , Yegyo , Manghaedae , in Korean, Juntenjō in Japanese, is the only remaining Japanese castle in Jeollanam-do, and the battle field of Yi Sun-sin who tempted Konishi Yukinaga from here to Noryang Point known as Battle of Noryang Point.-...
, a Japanese castle built during the Japanese invasions of Korea.
Parks
- Suncheon Ecological ParkSuncheon Ecological ParkSuncheon Ecological Park is a protected natural area near Suncheon, South Korea. It is effectively a bay between Yeosu peninsula and Goheung peninsula. It is located 8 km from the center of Suncheon, and has 21.6㎢ of mudflats and 5.4㎢ of reed beds....
, the world's 5th biggest tideland. It has beautiful views of reed beds and there are many types of birds. - Goindol Park, a dolmen park in Hwasun, Suncheon. Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen SitesGochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen SitesThe Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites are the location of hundreds of stone dolmen which were used as grave markers and for ritual purposes during the first millennium BCE when the Megalithic Culture was prominent on the Korean Peninsula. The sites were designated as a World Heritage Site...
were designated as a World Heritage SiteWorld Heritage SiteA UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
by UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
in 2000.
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The city also has friendship relations with:
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