At the International
Cittaslow Meeting in Perth Scotland (November 2010), Korea’s northeast
city of Namyangju joined the nation’s ranks of “slow cities,” becoming
the seventh city in Korea to be given this honorable designation.
Joan-myeon in particular, a village in Namyangju that is situated along
the banks of the Bukhanggang River, received high marks for its local
communities, eco-friendly and organic farming, natural environment,
traditional culture, and well-managed fisheries.
Namyangju-si is the only Slow City located in the metropolitan area and
is easily accessible via the Jungang subway line. Each of the twelve
villages in Namyangju is known for a different local treasure, which
ranges from lotus fields to cultural heritages.
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Local specialties
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Meokgolbae pear (먹골배)
Just take one bite of a crispy and juicy Meokgolbae pear and
you’ll see why this refreshing fruit is considered one of Namyangju’s
major local specialties. The pears are grown at 500 local farms—with a
total annual production of more than 10,000 tons of fruit—and are
shipped around the world. Meokgolbae pears can be found on supermarket
shelves in the USA, Japan, Canada, France, Taiwan, and Europe and have
been a major local export since the year 1997.
Gorosoe sap from maple tree (고로쇠 수액)
Gorosoe sap is known to be effective in treating and easing
the symptoms of high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders,
diabetes, geriatric diseases, and fatigue. This high-quality sap is
extracted between late February and late March from a type of painted
maple tree that grows at an altitude of 600 meters or more. Believe it
or not, the sap is also high in calcium!
Organic vegetables
Organic vegetables grown in Namyangju are grown without the
use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, which accounts for their
extremely fresh, clean taste. Veggies are grown using fresh water from a
protected water source and, as a result, are said to bring extra
health benefits to consumers.
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Tourist sites
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Dasan Historical Site
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Located in Neungnae-ri,
Joan-myeon, Dasan Historical Site is the birthplace of Dasan Jung
Yak-yong (1762~1836) who was a noted scholar of the late Joseon
Dynasty. He is especially remembered for fighting against corruption in
the political circle and for living a frugal life. The site consists
of his birthplace (Yeoyudang), his tomb, the Dasan Memorial Hall
(highlighting his major achievements), and the Dasan Cultural Hall (a
retrospective of his life from a modern perspective).
☞ More info on Dasan Chodang (Dasan Jeong Yak-yong historical site)
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Namyangju Studio Complex
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Namyangju Studio Complex is often referred
to as the “Universal Studios of Korea.” The complex houses an outdoor
set of approximately 100,000 square meters on a land spanning 1.3
million square meters. Facilities include traditional hanok houses, a
courthouse, and indoor filming sets. Korean movie buffs may recognize
filming locations from major films like Seopyeonje, Shiri, and Joint Security Area.
☞ More info on Namyangju Studios
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Hongyureung Royal Tombs
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Gwangneung Royal Tomb
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Gwangneung is the royal tomb of Sejo
(1417-1468, in power 1455-1468), the 7th king of Joseon Dynasty, and
Queen Jeonghuiwanghu (1418-1483). Not just an attraction for history
lovers, the tomb is surrounded by a thick forest that is a natural
habitat for the local wildlife. The Gwangneung tomb is one of the 40
royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty that were inscribed on the UNESCO's
World Heritage List.
☞ More info on Gwangneung [UNESCO World Heritage]
☞ Related Columns:
- The 40 Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
- A Trip to Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
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Arachnopia (JooPil Spider Museum)
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Established by Dr. Kim Joo-pil in 2004,
Arachnopia is a museum that celebrates one of nature’s overlooked
creatures: the spider. The museum has on exhibit about 5,000 types
of spider specimens and live spiders, as well as insect specimens and
fossils.
☞ More info on Arachnopia (JooPil Spider Museum)
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Mongolia Culture Town
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More and more, Korea is becoming a truly
globalized country, as evidenced by places like the Mongolia Culture
Town. You’ll feel as if you’re venturing into Mongolia itself as you
step inside the traditional tents (called “yurt”) to see a colorful
array of clothes, traditional musical instruments, accessories, and
Mongolian food. Enjoy the traditional music and dance performances by
Mongolian folk arts troupes or take a taste of the Mongolian delicacies
to immerse yourself in a whole new world.
☞ More info on Mongolia Culture Town
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Festival
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Dasan Cultural Festival
Held in October of every year, the Dasan Cultural Festival is
a civic cultural festival held to honor the philosophy scholar Dasan
Jeong Yak-yong. The festival features a calligraphy contest, literature
contest, music concert, traditional games, and hands-on programs that
help visitors understand the historical importance of this great
spiritual scholar’s teachings.
Festival Homepage: http://www.nyjdasan.or.kr/ (Korean)
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Directions
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Seoul → Namyangju
Take Jungang Subway Line (serving Yongsan, Oksu, Wangsimni, and other stops) → Get off at Ungilsan Station.
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Travel Tip
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* If
you plan to visit Namyangju-si between March and October, take
advantage of the Namyangju City Tour that runs on the second and fourth
weekends of every month during this time. The bus makes stops at major
tourist sites (Mongolia Culture Town, Dasan Historical Site,
Gwangneung Arboretum, Hongyureung Royal Tombs, etc.) from 9.30am to 6pm
and is a very convenient option for those using public transportation.
Namyangju City Tour
Departure: Donong Station (Jungang Subway Line)
Inquiries and reservations: 031-590-4241 (Korean, Namyangju City Hall)
1330 tt call center: +82-31-1330 (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)
Namyangju Culture & Tourism Website: www.nyj.go.kr (Korean)
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