Situated one hour East of Seoul, Chuncheon is the capital of Gangwon-do. With a population of just under 300,000 Chuncheon has all of the amenities of a large city, but maintains a friendly charm.
Known as the 'city of lakes' Chuncheon lies in the north of the county, located in a basin formed by the Soyang River and Han River.
Chuncheon is a popular destination for both Korean and international tourists. The popular drama series Winter Sonata was filmed in Chuncheon, with its breathtaking scenery Chuncheon has acted as a back-drop for many more dramas and movies.
Chuncheon also hosts several international conferences, sporting and cultural events every year. These include the Chuncheon International Marathon, held every October, the Chuncheon Mime Festival held every May, Chuncheon Extreme Sports Festival held every August and the Dakgalbi and Makguksu Food Festival in September.
(Chuncheon International Mime Festival)
(Dakgalbi: marinated chicken and cabbage and chili.The signature dish of Chuncheon)
Chuncheon acts as a mecca for outdoors people, with hundreds of kilometers of hiking and biking trails, pristine mountains, rivers and lakes. Gangcheon Ski Resort is also situated 30 minutes outside of the city and is accessible by bus or train from Chuncheon.
The climate of Chuncheon is characterized by four distinct seasons; A hot humid summer from June to August with a short rainy season in mid-July to early August in which temperatures regularly exceed 30C. A cooler fall from September to November where temperatures range from 20-10 C. The winter season runs from December to February, the coldest months usually being in late January and early February where temperatures can fall below -15C and spring running from March to May where temperatures recover to 10-20C.