Located in Jeollabuk-do province (South Korea), Gochang is not only a region of beautiful and attractive nature, but also a symbol of sustainable cultural preservation and development with 7 UNESCO-recognized heritage sites.
If you have the opportunity to visit South Korea and explore its diverse life and rich culture, you certainly can't miss Gochang. This special place is located in Jeollabuk-do province, the cradle of many traditional Korean cultures, and is blessed with beautiful natural scenery.
Gochang County has over 51,000 inhabitants, primarily engaged in agriculture, forestry, and fishing (accounting for 35.8% of the population); 18.5% work in mining, manufacturing, and construction; and other occupations make up 45.7%. In the cultural sector alone, the county boasts 111 heritage sites, 15 libraries, 9 cultural centers, and 60 public sports centers.
Promoting tourism cooperation between Gochang and Vietnam.
Gochang is a truly special place. Visitors will likely be impressed and surprised by the fact that, despite its small size of just over 600 square kilometers, Gochang County boasts seven UNESCO-recognized heritage sites, including: the Ancient Tombstones (cultural heritage), Pansori Traditional Music (intangible cultural heritage), Nongak Traditional Music (intangible cultural heritage), the World Biosphere Reserve (natural heritage), Gochang Mudflats (natural heritage), the Global Geopark (comprising Seonunsan, Byeongbawi, Ungok Ramsar Wetland, Dolmen Tombstones, Myeongsasimni, and Gochang Mudflats), and the Donghak Peasant Revolution Records (documentary heritage).
Governor Shim Deok-seop of Gochang County stated that his locality plans to connect seven UNESCO-recognized natural and cultural heritage sites into an attractive heritage tourism route.
"I understand that Vietnam also has many UNESCO-recognized heritage sites. Therefore, we would like to explore further areas of potential cooperation between Gochang and Vietnam," said Mr. Shim Deok-seop.
Mr. Shim Deok-seop stated that he plans to visit Vietnam as soon as possible to explore and promote tourism cooperation between the two sides in the future. This plan is part of a broader effort to create opportunities for cooperation with countries, localities, and relevant agencies in the region and around the world.
Let's explore 7 UNESCO-recognized heritage sites in Gochang County:
Gochang ancient stone tombs
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, the rock tombs, constructed from large slabs of stone stacked on top of each other, are one of the common types of rock tombs from the prehistoric period, approximately the 4th to 5th centuries BC.
The stone tombs here come in many different styles: table-shaped, checkerboard-shaped, above-ground chamber-shaped, and open-type; covering a burial chamber above ground or underground. It is difficult to find areas in the world with such a dense concentration of stone tombs with such solid structures and diverse designs as the stone tomb complex in South Korea.
Besides Gochang, the stone tomb sites are also distributed in Hwasun County (South Jeolla Province) and Ganghwa County (Incheon City); however, the density of stone tombs is highest in Gochang, with 447 tombs. This is one of the important heritage sites, significant for the study of the social structure of the Bronze Age and the cultural exchange process of prehistoric people in Northeast Asia.
Jeonbuk Global Geopark
In 2023, Jeonbuk West Coast National Geopark (Jeollabuk-do province) was recognized by UNESCO as a global geopark.
Jeonbuk Global Geopark spans 1,892 km² from Buan-gun to Gochang-gun, nestled between the vast Yellow Sea and expansive mudflats. It encompasses 32 stunning geological sites, such as Seonunsan Mountain, Chaeseokgang River, and Solseom Island; including Seonunsan, Byeongbawi, Ungok Ramsar Wetland, Dolmen rock burial sites, Myeongsasimni, and Gochang mudflats.
Jeonbuk Global Geopark is South Korea's fifth geopark to be included in UNESCO's list of global geoparks and its first coastal geopark to receive UNESCO recognition. It is considered an optimal natural site for observing geological development, as it contains volcanic rocks from the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era, as well as rocks and sediments from the Proterozoic to the Quaternary Eon.
Gochang World Biosphere Reserve
The entire Gochang-gun area was recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2013. The core protected area includes the Gochang Buan Ramsar Wetland, Ungok Ramsar Wetland, Seonunsan Provincial Park, the Stone Tomb World Heritage Site, and the Dongnim Reservoir Wildlife Sanctuary; the surrounding forests, rivers, salt marshes, and sand dunes in the area serve as buffer zones; other agricultural lands and residential areas are considered transition zones.
By joining the global biosphere reserve network, Gochang's international standing has been enhanced. UNESCO plans to revive cultural and ecotourism; preparing support measures and fostering local participation. Through this, there are plans to encourage local people by building brands for local specialties (watermelon, Pungcheon eel, bokbunja, mulberry, peanuts, bamboo salt, etc.), contributing to economic development and revenue generation.
Gochang Mudflats
The Gochang Mudflats were recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2021 for their outstanding universal value from a scientific, conservation, and natural beauty perspective, through the protection of nature as a habitat for endangered plant and animal species.
Before being recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, these mudflats were designated as wetland conservation areas by local governments in South Korea.
The art of Pansori musical storytelling
Pansori is a genre of musical storytelling performed by a singer and a drummer; it was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2003.
Pansori is popular due to its expressive singing, stylized speech, storytelling, and gestures, encompassing both elite and folk culture. Originating in southwestern Korea in the 17th century, it likely evolved into a new interpretation of shamanic storytelling songs. By the late 19th century, Pansori had acquired more sophisticated literary content and gained considerable popularity among urban elites. The settings, characters, and situations that make up Pansori are rooted in Joseon-era Korea (1392-1910).
Pansori singers undergo lengthy and rigorous training to master a wide range of vocal timbres and memorize complex repertoires. Many accomplished artists have developed personal interpretations and are renowned for their distinctive performances of specific pieces.
Nongak traditional music
Nongak, a traditional Korean music genre, is a type of folk music performed by peasant troupes or groups; it was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2014.
Nongak is often played during festivals to increase enthusiasm for farming work, thereby boosting productivity, relieving hardship, and fostering a spirit of solidarity among farmers.
Nongak combines various musical instruments such as the Samulnori percussion set with the Buk drum, the Kkwaenggwari cymbal, the Janggu wind drum, and the Jing gong, always creating a vibrant atmosphere that makes onlookers clap and dance along.
Nongak embodies the spirit and essence of the Korean people throughout thousands of years of history; it has been highly praised by UNESCO for its ability to foster community cohesion and inspire an optimistic and positive atmosphere.
The notebook records the Donghak peasant revolution.
The documentation of the Donghak peasant uprising in Korea is crucial for revealing the transition to modernity in Korean society. This collection comprises 185 documents detailing the participation of ordinary citizens and the Japanese Embassy in suppressing the Donghak peasant army and the government between 1894 and 1895.
In 2023, this document was recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage. Around the same time, documents concerning the April 19, 1960 revolution in South Korea were also recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage.
Besides its World Heritage sites, Gochang also attracts tourists with exciting experiences such as mountain climbing; ecotourism to see fireflies in the Ungok Ramsar wetlands; experiencing embroidery and knot tying at traditional houses in Gochang Old Town; or experiencing the Prehistoric Village at the Ancient Tomb Museum…
Source: https://baolangson.vn/suc-hap-dan-tu-vung-dat-di-san-gochang-5028705.html
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