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Gangneung Chodang Dubu
Spotlight · Written by Kim Samuel
Peaceful DMZ Habitat for
Migratory Birds
Rare Crane Haven in Cheorwon-gun County
Dawn in the serene plain of Cheorwon-gun County, Gangwon-do Province,
often sees tens of thousands of migratory birds soar into the sky in a flock.
These birds fly to Korea in October to spend winter and head back to Siberia in late February.
The land is a peace zone not only for Koreans but for birds as well.
Winter Brings Migratory Birds Back
The number of birds flying to the plain in Cheorwon-gun County increased to 39,898 this year from 1,864 in 2015. The plain is as large as 150 km2 around the rivers of Imjingang and Hantangang, along with unfrozen rapids, making the county the perfect environment for these migratory birds. Rare species of cranes numbering just 3,000 in the world have also found a home in the county.
This year, a record-high 930 cranes flew to Cheorwon Plain, meaning 30 percent of all wild cranes in the world have gathered at this place. Six of the world¡¯s 15 crane species are found here: the white-naped crane, hooded crane, common crane, sandhill crane, Siberian crane and Numidian crane. The movement of flocks of white-naped cranes, the dominant species here, is a sight to behold. In addition to these scenes of rare cranes, another breathtaking experience is watching nearly 70,000 white-fronted geese cover the sky over the Hantangang River, Togyo Reservoir and the plain.
Two cranes are facing each other and howling up to the sky. © Cheorwon
Exploring Birds with Locals
The efforts of area residents to protect the birds here make it possible for cranes to keep spending winter here, not to mention allowing more of them to come. Since 2002, county farmers have left rice straws on their farms to feed cranes and since three years ago, the farms have been stocked with freshwater snails in water to provide more food to the birds. The Korean government gives subsidies to those who help protect the endangered cranes under a biodiversity management project. This collaboration between the government and county farmers has helped the cranes return every year.
DMZ Peace Town for Migratory Birds offers an experiential program twice a day (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) for a closer look at the cranes. A tour van circles the 21 km restricted area for small groups and a shuttle bus is used for larger groups. A visit to Gangwon-do Province is never complete without checking out the spectacular view of winter birds in Cheorwon-gun County.
Gangwon-do Province: Full of Festivals
© Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
/ January
Hwacheon-gun County is famous in Korea for a wide array of hands-on seasonal programs for families. The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival has emerged as a major winter event worldwide as around one million people have visited since it opened in 2003.
During the festival, one to two tons of sancheoneo (trout), from which the event gets its name, are brought to the Hwacheongang River. Visitors, with a bit of luck and patience, can catch up to three trout but also have a numerous selection of other things to see and do. Popular activities include ice fishing on the thick frozen river and bare-handed fishing to ice sledding and bobsleighing.
© Yeongwol Cultural Foundation
Yeongwol Danjong Cultural Festival
/ April
The Yeongwol Danjong Cultural Festival, hosted by Yeongwol-gun County, honors Danjong, the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty who ruled from 1452-55, and his faithful subjects. He became king at a young age but his treacherous uncle masterminded a conspiracy to usurp the throne; Danjong was killed shortly afterward. To commemorate this tragic figure in Korean history, the county founded the festival in 1968 and has since held it every April on the day of his sacrificial rite. This is also the country¡¯s lone festival that holds a memorial service at a royal tomb with a variety of events. Cultural programs include a tug-of-war, neungmal dokkaebi nori, a play in which performers wear dokkaebi (Korean goblin) masks, the traditional Korean performance namsadang nori, fireworks and the wearing of royal costumes. The festival on its final day presents Danjong¡¯s royal funeral based on meticulously researched historical data.
© Chuncheon International Mine Festival
Chuncheon International Mime Festival
/ May
Every May, the Chuncheon International Mime Festival turns the city into a mime paradise, attracting artists in the discipline from all over the world. The festival is Asia¡¯s largest mime event and one of the world¡¯s top three in the field along with the Mimos Mime Festival of France and the London Mime Festival of the U.K. Besides mimes, the festival introduces artwork based on body, movement and images from a variety of genres, gathering hundreds of artists from all over the world and offering an opportunity for visitors to meet them all.
During this festival clowns and mime artists will hold entertaining street performances throughout the city, including those indigenous to Chuncheon. ¡°Ah! Surajang¡± is a waterbased event featuring dokkaebi (goblins) in water fights and dances around the Statue of the Soyanggang (River) Maid. Visitors can even take part in the water fights. At Waterside Park, ¡°Dokkaebi Nanjang¡± explores the theme of fire through dynamic performances, fireworks and fire shows that allow audience participation.
© Music in PyeongChang
PyeongChang Daegwalleong Music Concert
/ July to August
Every summer, the world¡¯s best musicians visit Pyeongchanggun County for the Pyeongchang Daegwallyeong Music Concert, the biggest classical music event in Asia. The temperature in Daegwallyeong, nicknamed the ¡°Alps of Korea,¡± never goes above 25 degrees Celsius even in the middle of summer, which allows people to enjoy an outdoor concert with cool and refreshing air. As eautiful music spreads throughout the vast nature surrounding the county, visitors can experience peace of mind and body.
In the morning, breakfast is served with fresh ingredients unique to the area, and master classes taught by world-famous musicians are held in the afternoon for promising students. Other attractions include wild flowers, insects and Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm at the top of a mountain.
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