Pocheon, South Korea

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Pocheon, South Korea

Region: Gyeonggi-do


Geographic Coordinates: 37.894700, 127.200000
Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 35.0°C (-4°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 163388
Language: Korean

Pocheon is a city situated in the northern part of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is renowned for its stunning natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. The city is surrounded by mountains and has numerous streams and rivers running through it, Making it a preferred destination for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the most famous attractions in Pocheon is Herb Island, Which boasts an extensive garden filled with various herbs and flowers. Visitors can explore the garden while learning about different herbs and their uses.

There are also several themed areas within Herb Island, Such as a lavender garden, An aromatherapy center, And a greenhouse where visitors can see exotic plants from around the world. Another popular attraction in Pocheon is Sanjeong Lake which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. It has several walking trails that visitors can explore along with many water activities available on the lake like kayaking or fishing.

For those interested in Korean history, Pocheon has several historical sites worth visiting like Byeolmaro Observatory Tower built during King Sukjong’s reign to observe stars for agriculture purposes during Joseon Dynasty period (1392-1910). Another important site is Seowoon Park which was once home to Korean independence activist Kim Gu who fought against Japanese colonial rule. Pocheon also boasts an impressive food culture with many local delicacies unique to this region like dakgalbi consisting of marinated chicken stir-fried with vegetables over high heat on large iron plates called paldangtae.

In addition to its natural beauty and cultural heritage, Pocheon produces some of Korea’s finest rice wine known as makgeolli made from locally grown rice varieties mixed with yeast fermentation process giving it unique taste compared to other alcoholic beverages available in South Korea. Overall, Pocheon offers something for everyone – whether you’re interested in nature or culture or simply want to try some delicious local cuisine; this city has it all!



Important Landmarks

  1. Herb Island
  2. Pocheon Art Valley
  3. Sanjeong Lake
  4. Pocheon Pottery Village
  5. Sinbuk Resort & Spa
  6. Pocheon Peace Land
  7. Gwangneung Forest Park
  8. Hantan River Rail Bike
  9. Odu Mountain Unaksan Provincial Park
  10. Pyunggang Botanical Garden

Primary Industries

  1. Agriculture: Pocheon is known for its fertile soil and produces a range of crops including rice, fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs.
  2. Tourism: The city has several natural attractions such as the Hantan River, Mount Myeongseongsan, and the Herb Island Theme Park which attract many tourists every year.
  3. Manufacturing: Pocheon has a thriving manufacturing industry that includes electronics, machinery, textiles, and chemicals.
  4. Education: Pocheon is home to several universities including Kyonggi University’s Pocheon Campus which offers courses in engineering and business management.
  5. Healthcare: The city has several hospitals and medical clinics that provide healthcare services to the local population as well as visitors to the area.
  6. Construction: With its growing population and expanding economy, there is a high demand for construction services in Pocheon.
  7. Retail: There are many retail businesses in the city including supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores as well as traditional markets selling fresh produce and other goods.

Noteable History

  1. The Battle of Baekhak-dong: This was a battle fought during the Korean War in 1950 between North Korean and United Nations forces. The battle took place in Pocheon and is considered one of the most significant battles of the war.
  2. Lee Seung-hyun: Lee Seung-hyun, also known as Seungri, is a famous singer, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur from Pocheon. He is best known for being a member of the K-pop group Big Bang.
  3. Hwaseong Fortress: This fortress was built during the Joseon Dynasty to protect Seoul from invaders. It is located in Suwon but extends into Pocheon.
  4. Kim Ki-duk: Kim Ki-duk was a renowned film director from Pocheon who won numerous awards for his work including Best Director at Cannes Film Festival in 2011.
  5. Yeongpyeongsa Temple: This temple dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty and is famous for its beautiful architecture and stunning natural surroundings.
  6. Han Hong-gu: Han Hong-gu was a famous poet who lived in Pocheon during the Joseon Dynasty period.
  7. Cheonjuho Lake: Cheonjuho Lake is one of the largest artificial lakes in South Korea and offers breathtaking views of nature’s beauty that attract tourists from all over South Korea every year.
  8. Pocheon Art Valley: It used to be an abandoned quarry turned into an art park with various exhibitions showcasing contemporary art pieces by local artists which now attracts many visitors every year.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Herb Island is a stunning botanical garden and amusement park that boasts an array of herbs, flowers, and plants.
  2. Pocheon Art Valley is an art center constructed on the site of a former quarry that showcases exhibitions, performances, and outdoor sculptures.
  3. Pocheon Sanjeong Lake is a picturesque lake surrounded by mountains and forests where visitors can enjoy walking trails, boat rides, and fishing opportunities.
  4. Hantan River Sky Bridge is a suspension bridge that provides breathtaking views of the Hantan River valley from 50 meters above ground level.
  5. Pocheon Traditional Market is a lively market offering local produce, crafts, and street food to visitors.
  6. Yeongjok Observatory offers panoramic views of the city of Pocheon from its observation deck overlooking the surrounding mountains.
  7. Seolmaejaehyang-gil Trail is an idyllic hiking trail through fields filled with wildflowers during springtime.
  8. Gwangneung Arboretum features over 1,000 different species of plants from Korea as well as other parts of Asia in its botanical garden.
  9. Jainsa Temple dates back to the 7th century AD making it one of Korea’s oldest Buddhist temples featuring beautiful architecture along with serene gardens for visitors to explore.
  10. Pocheon Art Museum for Children (PAMC) was designed specifically for children to explore art through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities in this museum.


Sports Teams

  1. Pocheon Citizen FC: This is a professional football club based in Pocheon that was founded in 2008. They currently play in the K3 League, which is the fourth tier of professional football in South Korea.
  2. Pocheon KEB-Hana Bank: This is a women’s basketball team that plays in the Women’s Korean Basketball League (WKBL). They were founded in 2010 and have had some success, winning the WKBL championship twice (in 2016 and 2017).
  3. Pocheon SK Knights: This is a men’s basketball team that plays in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). They were founded in 1997 and have won one KBL championship (in 2004).
  4. Pocheon Challengers: This is a baseball team that plays in the Futures League, which is the second tier of professional baseball leagues in South Korea. Their history is not well-documented.

Overall, sports teams from Pocheon have had varying levels of success and popularity over the years but they continue to represent their city with pride and passion on the field or court.



Cultural Events

  1. Sanjeong Lake Cherry Blossom Festival: This festival takes place in April and celebrates the blooming of cherry blossoms around Sanjeong Lake.
  2. Pocheon Herb Island Lighting & Illumination Festival: This festival takes place from November to February and features thousands of illuminated flowers, trees, and sculptures.
  3. Pocheon Art Valley Music & Art Festival: This festival takes place in August and showcases a variety of musical performances, art exhibitions, and cultural events.
  4. Pocheon Traditional Market Festival: This festival takes place in October and celebrates the traditional markets of Pocheon with food stalls, street performances, and cultural activities.
  5. Pocheon International Peace Marathon: This marathon takes place annually in October and attracts runners from around the world to compete on scenic courses throughout the city.
  6. Pocheon Rice Cultural Festival: This festival takes place in September or October to celebrate the harvest season with rice-related activities such as rice cake making, rice planting experience programs, etc.
  7. Hantan River Rafting Festival: The Hantan River Rafting Festival is held during summer months (July-August) offering exciting water sports like rafting along with other fun-filled activities like camping near river banks etc.
  8. Pocheon Baeksa Sansuyu Flower Festival – Held annually between mid-February to early March when sansuyu flowers are at their peak bloom period showcasing beautiful yellow flowers covering entire fields attracting visitors from far away places for a unique experience of nature’s beauty

Cuisine

  • Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) – one of the most famous dishes in Pocheon. You can find it at many local restaurants such as Chuncheonjip Dakgalbi.
  • Makguksu (buckwheat noodles) – a cold noodle dish that is perfect for hot summer days. Try it at Gyeonggi-do Makguksu.
  • Sanjeok (grilled skewers) – various types of meat and vegetables grilled on skewers. Enjoy them at Sanjeok House.
  • Jeonbyeong (pan-fried rice cake) – a traditional Korean snack made with rice flour, eggs, and vegetables. Get some at Jeonbyeong Village.
  • Mul Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles in broth) – another refreshing dish for hot weather, served with ice cubes to keep the broth cold. Try it at Naengmyeon House.
  • Hanjeongsik (Korean table d’hote) – a full-course meal featuring various Korean dishes such as soups, stews, meats, and side dishes like kimchi and pickles. Check out Hanjeongsik Village for an authentic experience.
  • Pajeon (green onion pancake) – a savory pancake made with green onions and other ingredients like seafood or pork belly slices; best enjoyed with dipping sauce made from soy sauce or vinegar mixed with sliced scallions or chili peppers). Head to Pajeon Alley for some delicious options!

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Pocheon Art Valley is a cultural space that used to be an abandoned quarry, now featuring art exhibitions, performances, and activities.
    2. Herb Island is an eco-friendly theme park with herb gardens, flower fields, and attractions such as a butterfly garden and aroma therapy center.
    3. Sanjeong Lake is a scenic lake surrounded by mountains offering hiking trails, fishing spots, boat rentals and other water activities.
    4. Pocheon Hantan River Skywalk is a glass-bottomed bridge over the Hantan River with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and river valley.
    5. Pocheon Agricultural Theme Park allows visitors to experience traditional Korean farming culture including rice planting and harvesting.
    6. Gwangneung Forest Park is a large forest park with hiking trails, picnic areas, camping sites and other recreational facilities.
    7. Sinbuk Hot Springs Resort is located in the mountains where visitors can relax in natural hot spring waters while enjoying scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
    8. Myeongseongsan Mountain Observatory Deck offers breathtaking views of Pocheon city below from its observation deck located on top of Myeongseongsan Mountain.

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