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Referred to as the Olympics of Environment, the 10th Ramsar Convention was
held in Changwon in Gyeongsangnam-do Province from October 28, 2008 to November
4, 2008. The conference contributed to raising public awareness of wetlands in
Korea. Since the end of the conference, numerous tourists have visited and
continue to visit wetlands to enjoy the beautiful nature and observe the wide
range of flora and fauna. In particular, Uponeup Wetland in Changnyeong (Gyeongsangnam-do Province), Junam Wetlands Park in Changwon (Gyeongsangnam-do Province), and Suncheonman Bay (Jeollanamdo-Province) are major eco-tour destinations in Korea. During the Ramsar Convention, they were closely observed by environmental specialists. Come and visit Korean wetlands and experience the mystery of nature. |
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Tip) About the Ramsar
Convention The Ramsar
Convention was established by means of multinational cooperation in order to
protect important wetlands serving as a habitat for birds. The Convention was
first adopted in December 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, thus its name, the Ramsar
Convention. The Conference of Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention
convenes to make decisions on the most important items on the agenda. It
assembles delegates from all member countries and is held every three years. The
first Conference of the Contracting Parties, organized for the utilization of
wetlands and preservation of its ecology, was held in Italy in 1980 and Korea
hosted the recent 10th Conference. Click for Ramsar Convention 2008 (English, Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish)  |
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| Uponeup Wetland – A Natural Wetland 140 million years old |
Stradling across four towns in Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnamdo-Province
(Yueo-myeon, Ibang-myeon, Daeham-myeon, and Daeji-myeon), Uponeup is the largest
natural wetland in Korea. It consists of four swamps: Uponeup (1.28km²), Mokpo
(0.53km²), Sajipo (0.36km²), and Jjokjibeol (0.14km²) and spans on a total area
of 8.54km². The wetland area (2. 31km²), which harbors water from floods or
summer monsoon, is 210 times the size of a football field. It is also known as
the oldest wetland: traces of dinosaur fossil 140 million old are still
preserved in the wetland. |
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 What to See in Uponeup Wetland | |
| ① Flora and Fauna | |
 Uponeup is a valuable habitat for such
endangered species as spoonbill, wildcat, and thorn lotus. It is also home to
344 plant species like bulrush and bladderwort as well as 76 species of birds
such as swan and spot-billed duck. Consequently, it was put on the Ramsar List
in March 1998. | |
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| ② Uponeup Wetland Eco-Observatory |
Click here for more
 Located at the entrance to Uponeup
Wetland, the Eco-Observatory exhibits various wetland wild flora and fauna with
3D models and films of the wetland. Housed in a two-story building, the observatory is an excellent place to learn about Uponeup Wetland and its ecology. After viewing the exhibit, visitors can enjoy a leisurely inspection of the wetland. |
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| Nearby Tourist Attractions |
| <Bugok Hot Spring Tourist Resort > |
Click here for
more Changnyeong, where Uponeup Wetland is
located, is also home to Bugok Hot Springs. Since ancient times, the hot spring
water has been renowned for its beneficial quality and health efficacy. Every
year, about 4 million tourists visit the hot spring. In particular, the
sulfurous spring is known to benefit people with skin or respiratory troubles.
There is also Bugok Hawaii with a wave pool and amusement park, accommodation
facilities, golf courses, and other convenience facilities.
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| Visitor Information |
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Location :Gyeongsangnam-do,
Changnyeong-gun, Yueo-myeon, Sejin-ri 232 Tel :Uponeup +82-55-530-2690~2 (Korean) / Korea Travel Phone +82-55-1330 (English, Japanese, Chinese) Website : Click here (English, Japanese, Chinese) Transportation : Click here Accommodation : Click here |
| Junam Wetlands Park – Haven for Migratory Birds |
Junam Wetlands Park is the nation’s largest migratory bird habitat. It is
located in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province with about 10,000 to 20,000
migratory birds flying to the park. Although it is not an actual swampy
topography, it has been officially visited by Ramsar Conference participants.
The Ramsar Culture Center, where visitors can learn about the Ramsar Convention
and its mission, is also located in Junam. Since it is only an hour by car from Uponeup Wetland, many visitors come here after visiting Uponeup wetland to see white-napped cranes and Baikal teals. |
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| What to See in Junam Wetlands Park
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| ①Migratory Birds | |||
 The biggest attraction of Junam
Wetlands Park is the migratory birds. As the nation’s largest migratory bird
habitat, a migratory bird festival is held here every November. The park is also
called a live natural museum or a haven for migratory birds because of the wide
variety of birds that stop here to partake in its abundant food supply and great
location along their migration course. Approximately 20,000 birds including the
rare endangered spoonbill and kite, as well as white heron, wild goose, and teal
stop here.
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| ②Junam Ecological Center | |||
Click here
 Standing next to the Ramsar Culture
Center, the Junam Ecological Center offers a variety of models and videos to
better understand the park’s ecology. Visitors can view the changing landscape
of Junam in its four seasons as well as stuffed wild birds and other animals.
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| ③Ramsar Culture Center | |||
Click here
 Housed in a two-story building, the
Ramsar Culture Center was opened on October 28, 2008 to commemorate the hosting
of the 10th Ramsar Convention in Changwon. It consists of a wetland culture
gallery, wetland experience gallery, theater, and observatory, offering a
variety of information and PR materials. |
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| Visitor Information |
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Location :Gyeongsangnam-do,
Changwon-si, Dong-eup, Daesan-myeon Tel: Junam Wetlands Park +82-55-212-4950 (Korean) / Korea Travel Phone +82-55-1330 (English, Japanese, Chinese) Website : Click here (English) Transportation : Click here Accommodation : Click here Junam Reservoir |
| Suncheonman Bay – First coastal wetland in Korea placed on the Ramsar List |
 Suncheonman Bay is a coastal wetland
comprising extensive fields of reeds and endless wetlands. It was the first
coastal estuary in Korea to be put on the Ramsar list in January 2006 and
recognized for its preservation utility worldwide. The bay is famous for golden
fields of reeds that offer shelter for hooded cranes, a natural monument, and
other migratory birds like the black faced spoonbill and swan. The S-shaped
waterway provides stunning sunsets and is frequently visited by professional
photographers. |
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| What to See |
| ①Fields of Reeds & Mt. Yongsan Observatory |
 As the venue for the annual reed
festival held in October and November, the 1.2 kilometer-long field of reeds
provides a perfect setting for a leisurely walk among reeds. During sunset, in
particular, the reeds flutter in the wind to create a background of golden
waves. Fascinated visitors love to take pictures with the reed field providing a
dramatic background. To enjoy a panoramic view of the sunset landscape in
Suncheonman Bay, climb up to Mt. Yongsan Observatory. You will be delighted by
the harmony presented by the S-shaped waterway and the breathtaking sunset.
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| ②Suncheonman Bay Eco-Observatory |
Click here  The observatory has CCTVs for
observing migratory birds and a variety of exhibits and videos to learn about
the ecology of Suncheonman Bay. It also offers various models showing the
creation process of the bay, as well as a variety of plant samples and stuffed
animals. |
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| Nearby Tourist Attractions |
| ① Songgwangsa Temple |
Click here The 800-year old Songgwangsa Temple is
counted among the three major temples of Korea along Tongdosa in Yangsan and
Haeinsa in Hapcheon. Visitors are fascinated not only by its mesmerizing natural
landscape but also by the wooden cultural assets. The Uhwagak Pavilion at the
entrance is a popular photo spot for its harmony with the pond.
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| ②Suncheon Drama Film Set |
Click here  The film set, which shows the
different eras of Korea from the 1960s through the 1980s, is where the dramas
Love and Ambition and East of Eden were filmed. Visitors can
get a glimpse into the Korea of the past through a variety of residential houses
and commercial buildings. |
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Tip) Recommended Food! Namdo Hanjeongsik &
Sanchaejeongsik Jeollanam-do Province is famous for
making the most delicious food in Korea. Visitors can enjoy kkomak muchim
(cooked and seasoned ark shell) and a variety of jeotgal (salted seafoods) in
the Beolgyo region of Suncheon or the more traditional Korean hanjeongsik
consisting of rice, soup, and a wide variety of side dishes. At the entrance to
Songgwangsa Temple, there is a line of restaurants offering wild greens and
grilled fish that please both the eyes and mouth. |
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| Visitor Information |
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Location :Jeollanam-do,
Suncheon-si, Daedae-dong 162-2 Tel: Suncheonman Bay +82-61-749-3006 (Korean) / Korea Travel Phone +82-61-1330 (English, Japanese, Chinese) Website : Click here (English, Japanese, Chinese, German, French, Spanish, Russian) Transportation : Click here(Korean) Accommodation : Click here (Korean) Suncheonman Bay Field of Reeds |
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