[Pyeongchang Winter Olympics] Get to Know Pyeongchang
Pyeongchang – What comes to mind when you heard of the place? Pyeongchang is where the Winter Olympics 2018 will be held and we’re thrilled about it! Let’s get some information on Pyeongchang, shall we?
Photo Source: cnn.com
Where is Pyeongchang?
Pyeongchang is located in Gangwon Province of South Korea. Approximately 180 km east of Seoul, Pyeongchang, with its slogan Happy700 Pyeongchang with 700 being the average elevation (approximately 700m) which is said to make people live in best condition.
Preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics
Several stadiums are located all around Pyeongchang, suited for the Winter Olympics events. The stadiums are:
Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium
Selected as the venue for the opening and closing ceremony, the stadium will also serve as the medal plaza during the games. The stadium will temporarily hold 50,000 seats, which will be dismantled after the games. The stadium, expected to be completed construction by September 2017, will be the final major Olympic venue to be completed. Next to the stadium will be an Olympic exhibition hall, and a traditional food market and other attractions which will be kept as heritage facilities.
Alpensia Biathlon Centre
The centre has long been completed, since 1998. Renovation has been later completed in 2007.
Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre
The Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre is the symbol of 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The centre, located in Alpensia Resort, was originally planned for the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Alpensia Sliding Centre
The bobsleigh, luge and skeleton track will be located in this venue, which can accommodate up to 7,000 spectators.
Alpensia Cross-Country Skiing Centre
The centre, which was also completed in 1998 will be the venue for the cross-country skiing event.
Yongpyong Alpine Centre
Yongpyong Alpine Centre, completed in 1998 has hosted four FIS Alpine World Cups Games and the 2006 IPC Paralympics Worldcup
Bokwang Phoenix Snow Park
This ski resort will be the venue for the freestyle skiing and snowboard of the 2018 Winter Olympics. This ski resort was also one of the shooting locations for the drama Autumn In My Heart
Tourist Attraction in Pyeongchang
Other than hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics, Pyeongchang is also a great place to visit. There are many attractive locations which will take your mind off of work and to escape the buzzing city life.
Yongpyong Resort
Photo Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr
One of the most watched drama of 2016, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, otherwise known as Goblin was shot in this resort. Situated at the centre of Korea’s Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, it sees a snowfall of an average 250 centimetres per season. The enormous seventeen million square meter complex holds a 45-hole golf course, gondolas, swimming pool, and other facilities.
The ski slopes including Rainbow Slope offers excellent facilities for skiers, while the Dragon Plaza offers variety of services for skiers and snowboarders.
Location 715, Olympic-ro, Daegwanryeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Samyang Ranch
Photo Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr
If you’ve seen dramas like Autumn In My Heart, and movies such as Taegukgi and Love Concierto, you will know that this ranch is where some of the scenes were shot. Deemed as Asia’s largest green pastures, you can see milking cows feed on clean and fresh grass. There is an observatory, where you can see as far as Gangneung, Jumunjin, and even beyond the East Sea.
Location 708-9, Kkotbadyangji-gil, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Sky Ranch
The ranch was established in 1974, with an area of 9 million square metres. About 400 Holstein cows are bred along with a hundred of Korean cows, in an eco-friendly way. As the ranch is located in a high land, the weather is cool and nice, that even in the summer, the weather is nice for a walk.
Lots of activities can be done at the ranch, such as feeding the animals, riding the tractor wagon and horseback riding.
Location 468 Hoenggye-ri, Daegwalnyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm
Photo Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr
A sheep farm with an area of 195km squared, this is the only ranch that raises sheep. Surrounded by a 1.2 metre-long circular walkway, visitors can view the sheeps at all times during their visit.
Location 483-32, Daegwallyeongmaru-gil, Daegwannyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Jeonggangwon
Photo Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr
Jeonggangwon is a Traditional Korean Food Culture Experience Centre, which was established to preserve, research, distribute and promote the values and merits of traditional Korean food culture in the world. Visitors can get a hands on experience through the exhibition hall, cooking room, and fermentation room.
Location 21-4, Baegokpo-ri, Yongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Woljeongsa Temple
Photo Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr
Located in the forest of the valley east of Mount Odaesan, it is composed of 60 temples and 8 monasteries. In Seongbo Museum, visitors can view the Buddhist Culture of the Goryeo Dynasty. There is also the Jeokmyeolbogung where Buddha’s bones are said to be preserved.
Location 63, Dongsan-ri, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Ujiyaji Wind Village
Photo Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr
This mountain village is located on top Daegwallyeong. Visitors can enjoy various activities such as cheese making or ice cream while enjoying the sight of wind-mills standing high above the frozen plain.
Location 137, Kkotbadyangji-gil, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
There’s lots to be done in Pyeongchang. Have you been? What’s your favourite spot in Pyeongchang?