introduction busan of south korea

About Busan

Busan is the second largest city in Korea. Its deep harbor and gentle tides have allowed it to grow into the largest container handling port in the country and the fifth largest in the world. The city's natural endowments and rich history have resulted in Busan's increasing reputation as a world class city of tourism and culture, and it is also becoming renowned as an international convention destination.

Busan, a bustling city of approximately 3.5 million residents, is located on the southeastern tip of the Korean peninsula. The size of Busan is 765.64km² which is 0.8% of the whole land of the Korean Peninsula. The natural environment of Busan is a perfect example of harmony between mountains, rivers and sea. Its geography includes a coastline with superb beaches and scenic cliffs, mountains which provide excellent hiking and extraordinary views, and hot springs scattered throughout the city. Busan enjoys four distinct seasons and a temperate climate that never gets too hot or too cold.

Location
Geographically, Busan has the Straits of Korea to its south; Ulsan to the north;Gimhae to the West. Cities that share almost the same latitude with Busan include Jinhae and Gwangju in Korea, as well as Tokyo, Jeongsen, Algiers and Oklahoma City abroad. Busan is eight hours ahead of GMT. As for its geopolitical location, the city comes at the Southern tip of a strip that connects Asia, Siberia and Europe. It also serves as a main gateway to the Pacific Ocean. This location places the city at the center of international sea transportation.

Climate
Busan is located at the southeastern most tip of the Korean peninsula and in the mid-latitude temperate zone, which has seasonal winds. It has four seasons : Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The annual average temperature is 15°C. The annual average precipitation is 1,168.3mm. Busan has strong winds compared to other areas in Korea. Spring begins in March and ends in late June. Cherry blossom trees bloom in late March. and the temperature is very comfortable in April, May and June. The rainy season at the end of June and July signals the beginning of the coming of the summer heat. The highest mean temperatures of around 32°C are at the end of July through mid-August. Fall is from early September through late-November. The weather is nice and cool at this time because of the continental high atmospheric pressure. Winter starts by the end of November and continues until February. but Busan rarely has any snowfalls. The average winter temperature is 3.8°C. Tourists can enjoy Busan throughout all seasons because of the nice weather and beautiful scenery. In summer, the city is crowded with visitors who come to enjoy the beautiful beaches.

Population
From its opening in 1876, the port city of Busan quickly developed into a hub of trade, commerce and industry. This development resulted in a rapid increase in its population, which had already reached 200,000 by 1936. A major leap in Busan's population came with the breakout of the Korean War, which resulted in an endless stream of people into the city. As a result, the population of Busan exceeded 1 million by the end of 1955. Another factor that spurred the population increase was the government policy for economic growth. People from urban areas kept streaming into the city for jobs. By the end of 1994, there were approximately 4 million people who called Busan their home. Since 1995, the population has slowly begun to decrease. As of December 2009, Busan was home to 3,574,340 people.

Jwasuyeong eobang-nori, the fishing songs of korea

Jwasuyeong eobang-nori, the fishing songs

Since Suyeong is a flourishing costal fishery, it also has well-developed Eobang, cooperative association for fishing. Jwasuyeong eobang-nori is the modern version of Obang training and education on anchovy fishing and fishing in an arts form. It is a sort of Eobang song consisting of four parts such as Naewangsori, Sarisori, Garaesori, and Chingchingsori.

The fishing songs of the fishermen those who were being engaged in the coastal fishery on the Bay of suyeong, have been transmitted as the folklore fishery play called the Eubang-nori The conspicuousness of fishing songs is superior and was rewarded the presidential prize, the highest award at the 14th National folkoore Art Contest in 1973, and then was recongnized as a transmitting culture and designated in 1978.

Suyeong(or Jwasuyeong)was in the area of the Left Naval Command near the fishing villages and it is said that both the civilians and the soldiers mutually co-operated in fishing seasons on the Bay of Suyeong.

The songs have been originated from the songs called naewang-sori of fixing and repairing the net and twisting the twines to flip, secondly the songs called sari-sori of throwing the net and pulling up it again, ladling away from the net, thirdly the songs called garae-sori of shovelling out the fishing, finally the songs called ching-ching-sori of exilarating and self-congratulating the bountiful fishing. It may be given as a conclusion that Jwasuyeong fishing songs in general are recongized to be one of the typical folklore plays.

       A regular performance is held every August at the Gwangalli beach.

Korean traditional mask plays

SuyeongYaryu is one of Korea, traditional mask plays. It has been displayed as a south-type mask dance in Suyeong-dong, Suyeong-gu, in Busan. The origin of the mask dance dates back 200 years. It is said that it arose from a mask dance that was ordered to mask performers of Bambari, Chogye, Hapcheon-gun by Jwasuyeongsusa.

The main theme of the play is that of mocking the corrupted noble class, and it is composed of various different sections such as Yanbangwajang, Yeongnogwajang, Halmi-yeonggamgwajang, and Sajamu(lion dance) gwajang is usually performed on the 15th of the New Year according to the lunar calendar.

A regular performance is given every June at the Suyeong Folk Art open theater.

Seungju Country Club of suncheon ,southkorea

Seungju Country Club

Golf club with a fantastic view of the Namdado sea and a course of 27 holes planned to fit in with the natural environment. A strategic course that requires the golfer's ability and brains. Vast and wild land. Get thrill and excitement from every single hole. The satisfaction you can get only at Seungju Country Club. Natural environmental conditions fully considered in planning the course. Enjoy the beauty of the seasons at every hole.

All holes are arranged consecutively with the par arrangement of 4,5,4,3,4,5,4,3,4,, in perfect distances. Game rhythm kept in pace with the surrounding natural environment. The endless thrills of 27 holes- get it at Seungju Country Club.

Introduction
Size: 27 holes. Memberships available.
Area- 0.63 million pyeong.
Club house- 1,695 pyeong
Other facilities: Swimming pool (slides), 3 tennis courts, 1 gate ball field, 14 lanes for golf practice.
Construction: Blueprint-Jecheol Engineering Co.
Construction- Lotte Construction Co. and others.
Started in Sept. 1992

Location
Ogok village, Ogok-ri, Sandsa-myeon, Suncheon,  southkorea
Courses for access and transportation times
Course 1 : Suncheon -Ogok, bus (30 min.)
Course 2 : Suncheon - Byeollyang bus - get off at Deokjeong (Usan) (50 min.)

Transportation
Suncheon->Ogok (city bus no. 61).
Suncheon->headed for Nagan (city buses no. 62,63,65)- get off at the entrance to Ogok.

Beautiful Nature and Culture of Suncheon city, Korea

What is City Tour ?With this circulation tour, the sightseeing resorts where regular bus service is not fully served are linked to each other to provide more efficient sightseeing of cultural relics, tourist showplaces and industrial spot. It is a tour program for convenient sightseeing to show Suncheon's noted places systematically.



Suncheon City Tour is ...Nakan-eupseong Folk Village where ancestors' spirit can be felt, Songgwang Temple, which is a Seungbo-sachal (the temple representing the community of Buddhist monks), and 1,000-year Seonam Temple are packaged into one tour product for trial. Later, the package will be extended to cultural relics and sightseeing places including Suncheon Waeseong, Dolmen Park, Geomdan Mountain Fortress and Saint Wolpyeong's relics and sightseeing places including Suncheon Waeseong, Dolmen Park, Geomdan Mountain Fortress and Saint Wolpyeong's relics.


                                   < Nagganeeupseong Folk Village  >

→ Suncheon City (Contact to: Cultural Publicity)
→ Telephone: 82-61-749-3328, 82-61-749-3742
Service Starting Date
Whole Year from Oct. 1, 2002
Service Period
One per day (09:30, 10:00 Departure) /2 routes are operated
Service Course & Time



- Suncheon Station~Drama Setting Place~Seonam Temple~Nakan-eupseong~Suncheo Bay~Suncheon Station





                          
    < Drama Studio - The largest set in the country and one of the most popular
       tourist attractions in Suncheon. It consists of a shanty town and buildings
       from the 1960's - 1979's period. >


Time Time Required Detailed Schedule Remark
09:50 ~ 10:00 10 Suncheon Station→Drama Setting Place
10:00 ~
10:30 30 Sightseeing of Drama Setting Place *Admission Fee: 3,000won
10:30 ~ 11:00 30 Drama Setting Place→Seonam Type Temple
11:00 ~ 13:10 130 Sightseeing of Seonam Type Temple & Lunch (Casual Lunch) *Admission Fee: 1,500won
13:10 ~ 13:40 30 Seonam Type Temple→Nakan-eupseong Folk Village
13:40 ~ 15:00 80 Sightseeing and Experience of Nakan-eupseong Folk Village *Admission Fee: 2,000won
15:00 ~ 15:30 30 Nakan-eupseong→Sunchoen Bay Change
15:30 ~ 17:10 100 Sightseeing of Sunchoenbaynature ecologygoverment *Admission Fee: 2,000won
17:10 ~ 17:30 20 Sunchoen Bay → Suncheon Station

Total Required Time: 7 hours and 30 minutes (450 minutes)



- Suncheon Station~ Drama Setting Place~ Songwangsa Temple~ Nakan-eupseong~ Suncheon Station

Time Time Required Detailed Schedule Remark
09:40~09:50 10 Suncheon Station→Drama Setting Place
09:50~10:20 30 Sightseeing of Drama Setting Place *Admission Fee:
3,000won
10:20~11:10 50 Drama Setting Placea→Songgwangsa Type Temple
11:10~13:20 130 Sightseeing of Songwangsa Type Temple & Lunch (Casual Lunch) *Admission Fee: 2,500won
13:20~14:00 40 Songgwangsa Type Temple→ Nakan-eupseong Folk Village
14:00~15:20 80 Sightseeing and Experience of Nakan-eupseong Folk Village *Admission Fee: 2,000won
15:20~16:00 40 Nakan-eupseong → Suncheon Bay Chang
16:00~17:10 70 Sightseeing of Sunchoenbaynature ecology goverment *Admission Fee: 2,000won
17:10~17:30 20 Sunchoen Bay → Suncheon Station

Total Required Time: 7 hours (420minutes)

                                          Songgwangsa  Temple

Departure Location
In front of Suncheon Station (Behind Taxi Platform)
Fee
Fare-free Bus. Note that any admission (entrance) fee and lunch are charged to visitors.
Client
Tourists to visit Suncheon
Service Method
The bus departs from Suncheon Station in the morning in compliance with the respective course schedule and then returns to Suncheon Station. The arrival time may change somewhat depending on the traffic conditions in the city.
¡Ø If service is not available due to bad weather such as heavy rain or snowfall, the service may be cancelled or the course may be changed.
Things that tourists should know¡¦
Prior reservation (telephone or Internet) is required to know the demand. In any inevitable case, a tourist may ride the bus if he/she arrives at Suncheon Station at the departure time. If the seating capacity of the bus is exceeded, subscribers have the priority to ride it.


Tourists' positive cooperation should be required if the guide asks.
To Reserve or Inquire: Cultural Publicity Department of Suncheon City
(82-61-749-3328 82-61-749-3742)



                           < Coastal wetland Suncheon Bay >

   Suncheon bay is considered as one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse
   area in Korea. It is located in the center of korean southern coast.

   The 2013 international garden expo suncheon bay will be the best condition to
   be harmonized with nature and ecology.

   It was registered as the first wetland of international importance under the ramsar  
    Convention in Korea.

Introduction of Songgwang-Sa Temple

Songgwang-sa is located, snugly like a nest, in the lower edge of Mt. Jogye,
Songgwang-Myeon Sooncheon Jeollanam-Do.The name of Songgwang has several legends.

First, it means a temple in which 18 great monks will spread the teaching of Buddha.
In other words, ‘Song' indicating ‘18 great men' means 18 great monks, and ‘Gwang' indicating the wide spread of Buddhism means a temple in which 18 outstanding monks will expand the Buddhism extensively.

Second, there is a legend related to Jinul, the national master Bojo. In other words, as the master selected a site for moving Jeonghyegyeolsa, he flied a black kite made of wood in Mt. Mohu, and it landed at the back of the current Guksajun. Hence, the name of the back was called Chirakdae(the place where a black kite landed). Based on this legend, Yookdang Nam Sun Choi expounded Songgwang-sa as the Solgaengee temple by paraphrasing the meaning of Songgwang as Solgaengee(the dialect of a black kite).

Last, it was previously called ‘Pine Hill' due to many pine trees(Solgaengee), and Mt. Songgwang stemmed from it so that the name of the mountain was changed to the name of the temple.

According to the remaining records, Songgwang-sa was founded by Zen Master Hyerin in the latter part of the Shilla dynasty. The temple some one hundred kan size, firstly called Gilsangsa on Mt. Songgwang, was of relatively small size, housing 30 or 40 monks. Afterwards, Saint Seokjo tried and prepared to expand the temple extensively in the Injong era of the Koryo dynasty but couldn't achieve it because of his passing away.

From the date when Jeonghyegyeolsa was moved to this place by Jinul, the national master Bulil Bojo, Gilsangsa having been deserted for more than fifty years has been reconstructed and spotlighted as the center of the Korean Buddhism.

Jinul established a new tradition of the Korean Buddhism by having undergoing a complete change of the temple with holding the Buddhist reconstruction service for 9 years(the 27 th year of Myeongjong(1197) ~ the 1 st year of Heejong) and teaching the numerous people participating in Jeonghyegyeolsa movement.

Since then, Songgwang-sa has been spotlighted as the center of the Korean Buddhism. Even though it underwent many disasters such as Jeongyoojaeran and the Korean War, the persistent Buddhist reconstruction service has enabled it to present a magnificent appearance.

Three things are counted as extremely precious and valuable jewels. Therefore, they called three jewels. They are Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Buddhist faith is to understand these three jewels as precious and valuable ones and to take refuge in them.

Buddha is the person opening his eyes to the truth, and Sakyamuni Buddha born in India 2,600 years ago can be thought of. And then Dharma, a content elucidated for us after Buddha comprehended, has been handed down with the name of Tipitaka Koreana at present. Last, Sangha represents a religious community composed of monks and lay people.

Indeed, Dharma has been handed down ceaselessly through Sangha until now. Henceforth, Buddha is the spiritual guide leading the way kindly for us as the person having comprehended by searching for truth, Dharma is the map or milestone showing the way, and Sangha is the community of fellow travelers searching together for truth.

However, three jewels don't die down and represent the true mind we have naturally. Even Monk Wonhyo surely said, “Turning around, the single mind(Ilsim) is just three jewels.” In other words, our innate mind is nothing but Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

Why were Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha called the most precious jewels?

The reason is that we can reach the eternal and true world through it and return to real and true “me” which is the origin of our existence. Hence, they are priceless jewels and are too precious to be exchanged with the world. Faith in Buddhism is geared toward the jewels. We take refuge in the Buddha. We take refuge in the Dharma. We take refuge in the Sangha. They are so called The Three Refuges. The Three Refuges are the expression of intention to fully commit to the most precious and valuable three jewels in the world. Therefore, saying of doing three refuges is an oath and a pledge to confess the direction and goal of life as “I live my life this way.”

Likewise, Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are three pillars supporting Buddhism and three factors enabling Buddhism to be itself. Hence, there have been three monasteries representing the three jewels in Korean Buddhism for a long time, and they are called The Three Jewel Monasteries. They are Tongdosa in Yangsan, Kyongsangnam-Do, Haeinsa in Habcheon, Kyongsangnam-Do, and Songgwang-sa in Sooncheon, Cheolanam-Do.

Tongdosa keeping Buddha's relics is called Buddha-Jewel Monastery, Haeinsa keeping the sutra panels of Tipitaka Koreana inscribing Dharma is called Dharma-Jewel Monastery, and Songgwang-sa inheriting the Buddhist spirit of Korean Buddhism is called Sangha-Jewel Monastery.

The woohwagak of Songgwangsa temple
 is a tall building which is located on the
 arched bridge across the pond in front of the main Buddha hall.

It is known as Nungheogyo and has Paljak roof style at the entrance and Matbae (gable) roof style to the exit.



Road infomation
* 12, sinpyeong-ri ,songgwang-myeon, suncheon-city , jeollanamdo,korea
* tel : korea 061-754-5247

International Garden Expo Suncheon Bay Korea2013

Korea's ecological Capital, Suncheon, is going to host an International Garden Expo. This expo will carry the recognition of AIPH and will be a first for Korea.

The Expo will be held over a period of 6 months (April to October 2013). It will take place around the Suncheon Bay area, and a space of 152 hectare is set aside for its development.

Over the last 150 years, International Garden Expos have been recognized throughout Europe and other developed countries. They have mainly been developed as a way of urban restoration and environmental planning and protection. Trees and flowers keep on growing and blooming as well as increasing the value of the environment. For this reason Garden Expos can be seen as ongoing or continues.

With Suncheon City, hosting the Expo in 2013, it also hopes to boasts the already existing value of Suncheon Bay, one of the world's top 5 coastal wetlands.

Combined, our city is aiming to be recognized as one of the world's top ecological areas. We want to see Suncheon being reborn as a global leader on the field of "Green Growing-Cities".

Introduction of Garden Exposition
Expo and Its Meanings
Expo, an abbreviation of exposition, refers to exhibitions or trade fairs. It is commonly called 'international expo' in Korea.

In general, an expo focuses on exhibiting products made by thelatest advanced technologies and their innovative value and quality rather than their sales

Expo provides visitors with opportunities to experience contemporary as well as future trends.

History of Expo
First Expo: the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London
Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) was created in 1928, by 31 countries

- First Period (1851-1910): the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London World War I

- Second Period (1926-1939): more attention given to artistic values
- Third Period (1958 the present): focusing on restoration of humanity and balanced social development

Types of Expo
- Depending on BIE's approval, expos are divided into Registered Exhibition and Recognized Exhibition
- Expos are also categorized into Universal Exhibition and Special Exhibition.

Transportation
Utilize infrastructure that will be constructed for the Expo 2012 Yeosu, Korea.
Construct new roads both in- and outside the exhibition area.
Display Eastern-and-Western Cultural vertical-gardens that are separated by the Dongcheon River.

Provide a variety of accessible routes with ample space for parking.
Construct eco-friendly walk-way and bike trails, and provide a tram service for the weak and elderly.
Utilize existing routes around the exhibition area such as Gangbyeon-Ro, Namseong-Ryong-Gil,
WooSeok-Ro, Baekkang-ro and MuPyeong-Ro.

Construct entrances and exits for the exhibition area.
- Develop entrances and exits between NamSeong-Ryong-Gil and the exhibition area as well as in and out of
the parking area of Suncheon Bay.

Construct new routes to access the exhibition area.
- Construct new roads (A total of 1,600km) between Cheyuksakeori (Namseungnyong-gil), the ShindaeIndustrial Complex, and Sangsam and Woljeon.
- Construct a new road to connect to the Suncheon - Jeonju Highway as to improve accessibility from Seoul,Busan and other cities.

Construct bicycle trails inside the exhibition area.
- Construct 239km of biking trail. - Build a pool of 'ready-to-use' transportation that will facilitate effective movement within the exhibition area.

Other transportation plans

Tour Train.
Route: Suncheon Bay - Sewage treatment center - International Wetland Center - Exposition Center

Rental Bicycles.
Trails: Seomyeon Waterside Park - Jangdae Park - International Wetland Center - The Exposition Center - Sewage treatment center - Suncheon Bay

Phone(office) : 82-61-749-3303
Fax : 82-61-749-3143

Naga Neupseong Folk Village in Suncheon city

Composed of the clustering of strawthatched cottages with yellow pumking on top of the roofs with smoke rising from thier chimmeys, this village is very cozy.
This village welcomes new vistors who can feel at home. The residents, government offices, and stone fortress of Joseon Dynasty have been restored in this folk village. On the 15th day of a lunar month in January, Vistors can view the monumental event for General Im Gyeong-eop, traditional fork games such as seesawing, swing,and turning around the fortress.

Tourists will discover many treasures as they take a tour around the cultural and

historical sites in suncheon and its surrounding areas.

  A blessed land where mountains, sea, river, lakes and beautiful people coexist together . It is a paradise place  where it has the world's dnly coastal wetland with  the reeds and tidal flat for migratory birds.

It is the city where it  the 2013 Suncheon bay world gardening expo will be held in harmony with the urban and ecological nature in both axes of our theasure house.
Suncheon bay has the 1st grade environmental water quality, the dongcheon river.