Gangneung is a city in Gangwon Province, on the east coast of South Korea. It has a population of 230,000 (as of 2003). Gangneung is the economic centre of the Yeongdong region of eastern Gangwon Province. There are a number of historical remains, including an ancient shrine (Ojukhyon) and Gyongpodae. Gangneung is a national tourist destination, offering good bathing facilities in the East Sea. There is an airbase of the US military based in Gangneung.
The flag of the city shows a red sun in the centre and blue wave in front, on a white background. The sun represents the sunrise, the wave the sea. The flower of the city is the crape myrtle, the tree of the city is the pine tree, its bird the swan. The animal of Gangneung is the tiger.
Gyongpodae
Gyongpodae
Gangneung is considered special in that is has both access to a lake and the sea. Gyongpodae is a legedary place overlooking Gangneung's lake. It's said that one can see the moon five times when at Gyongpodae. This is once in the sky, once reflected in the lake, once reflected in the sea, once reflected in the drinking glass and once more in the eyes of the lover. The site of Gyongpodae is known for its beautiful location east of the centre of the city.
Sunrise
Sunrises, especially the first in the New Year, are important in traditional Korean culture. The Jeongdongjin beach in Gangneung is a popular place to enjoy a sunrise.
Gangneung city, a nice viewpoint of a beautiful sunrise, holds the ¡°sunrise event¡± from December 31 to January 1 every year.
Gangneung city provides something special for the tourists visiting Gyeongpo and Jeongdongjin to see the sunrise on the morning of a New Year's day.
Derived from the ancient village festival serving rituals and agricultural ceremonies, Gangneung Dano-je Festival was designated by UNESCO as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005.