'''Chungju''' (??, ___B) is a city in North Chungcheong, South Korea.

Understand

Chungju (not be confused with provincial capital Cheongju) is a handy transport hub for various points in the mountains of central Korea. It is a beautiful town that is abundant with tourist sources and Jungwon (the center of a field in Korea) culture. It is also the hometown of Ban Ki moon, the Secretary General of the U.N.

Get in

By train

There is one direct ''Mugunghwa'' train per day from Seoul, which takes the better part of three hours to putter its way in. Other options are to take the Gyeongbu Line to Jochiwon and transfer there, or even taking the KTX to Daejeon and continuing from there.

By bus

Chungju's sparkling new bus station is located on the northern side of town in a big complex also housing a '''Lotte Mart''' hypermarket. There are hourly departures to Danyang (1:30, W6200).

By boat

In season, you can take a very scenic cruise across Chungju Lake to Danyang (2 hours, W18000), and you can go for a sightseeting spin on the lake throughout the year (unless the lake freezes over entirely in winter). The ferry terminal is served by bus 301 (30 minutes, W950), which leaves across the street from the bus terminal, but enquire at the tourist information office for schedules (and whether the boats are running) as there are only 9 buses a day.

Get around

See

  • '''Chungjuho'''
  • Chungjuho has the largest multipurpose dam in South Korea which holds the largest body of fresh water, linking Chungju, Jecheon, and Danyang in Chungcheongbuk do. There are Mt. Wolaksan National Park, Mt. Geumsusan, Gudambong Peak, etc. around the lake, so you can enjoy the beauty of nature harmonizing with the blue water. They run a tourist ship from Chungju to Sin Danyang (53km).

  • '''Chungju World Martial Arts Festival'''
  • In every october, the city government hold Chungju World Martial Arts Festival. In this festival, you can enjoy Taekgyeon, Taekwondo and various world martial arts. Taekgyeon is could be called the former martial art, Taekwondo which is recognized as Olympic sport since 2000 by IOC.

    Do

  • '''Wakeboarding''' If you drive into Chungju, take the fist left after the bus terminal intersection, heading south towards the river. You will go under the railway, then see a park on your left. Drive into the riverside park and walk 100m to a wakeboard floating house on the river. Prices are cheaper than Seoul. Only 17,000won for outboard engine each time. (in 2008 season)
  • Buy

    Eat

  • Bonjuk. 5000-9000. ttp://www.bonsuk.co.kr. Part of a chain serving up traditional Korean rice porridge in many forms, both sweet and savory. Try the oyster porridge (W8000). Conveniently located across the street from the bus terminal, next to the stop for the elusive bus 301. English menu available.

  • '''Apples.''' Chungju is famous for apples. A giant apple sculpture greets you as you drive into town. Apples are a lot cheaper here than in the rest of Korea.
  • Drink

    Sleep

    Contact

    The helpful '''tourist information office''' has a counter inside the bus terminal. English spoken and has a wealth of information on the area.

    Get out

  • Danyang - caves, mountains and temples
  • Suanbo - hot spring and ski resort
  • Woraksan National Park