Gimcheon, or Kimcheon (김천시), is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The official brand slogan of Gimcheon is “The Center of Korea, Gimcheon—Connected in All Directions.” The phrase Satongpaldal (四通八達), literally meaning “open and connected in all directions,” is used to highlight the city’s role as a major transportation hub. Located on the boundary between Gyeongsang and Chungcheong provinces, Gimcheon is where the Gyeongbu and Gyeongbuk railway lines, as well as the Gyeongbu and Jungbu Inland Expressways, intersect. Its well-developed transport network has long defined the city as a key crossroads in Korea.
Understand
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History
[edit]- Three Kingdoms Era
Shilla conquered Gammun-guk (Gamno-guk) and established Gaammun-gun, promoted to Gammunju
- Unified Silla
Renamed Gammunju to Gammun-gun, Gammun-gun as Gaeryeong-gun, and reorganized Gimsan-hyeon, Jirye-hyeon, and Eomo-hyeon to Gaeryeong-gun
- Goryeo Dynasty
Changed Gaeryeong-gun to Gaeryeong-hyeon, Gimsan and Jirye-hyeon to Gyeongsan-bu, Emo-hyeon as Sangjumok
- Joseon Dynasty
Gimsan and Eomo-hyeon integrated to Gimsan-gun, Jirye-hyeon to Jirye-gun and Gaeryeong-hyeon to Gaeryeong-gun
- 1995
Gimcheon-si and Geumneung-gun integrated into Gimcheon-si (15 myeons, 13 dongs)
Get in
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By train
[edit]- KTX (Gimcheon–Gumi Station)
- Gimcheon–Gumi Station, located outside the city center, is on the Gyeongbu high-speed line.
- Seoul – about 1h 20–40min
- Busan – about 1h 10–30min
- Daegu – about 20–30min
- Daejeon – about 25min
Local buses and taxis connect the station to downtown Gimcheon in 20–30 minutes.
- Conventional trains (Gimcheon Station)
- Gimcheon Station, in the old downtown, is served by Mugunghwa and ITX-Saemaeul trains.
- Slower than KTX but cheaper, with direct connections to Daejeon, Dongdaegu, and Busan.
- Convenient if your destination is central Gimcheon, including the old town, markets, or nearby parks.
- Tips
- For long-distance travel, KTX is by far the fastest.
- For easier access to the city center, conventional trains to Gimcheon Station may be preferable.
- Note that Gimcheon–Gumi Station and Gimcheon Station are about 20 minutes apart by car.
By bus
[edit]Express and intercity buses (Gimcheon Bus Terminal). Gimcheon Bus Terminal has frequent services to major cities across Korea.
- Seoul (Gangnam, Dong Seoul) – about 2h 30min
- Busan – about 2h 30min
- Daegu – about 1h
- Daejeon – about 1h
- Gwangju – about 3h
From the terminal, local buses and taxis connect easily to the city center. Buses also run to nearby towns such as Gumi, Sangju, Mungyeong, and Seongju.
By car
[edit]Gimcheon is at the junction of the Gyeongbu Expressway and the Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway, making it a convenient stop on north–south and east–west routes.
- From Seoul – about 2h 30min to 3h via Gyeongbu Expressway.
- From Daegu – about 1h.
- From Daejeon – just over 1h.
Driving is often the fastest way to reach rural attractions around Gimcheon, such as Jikjisa Temple or nearby hiking trails.
By plane
[edit]Gimcheon has no airport. The nearest one is Daegu International Airport, about 60 km away, or roughly 1 hour by car. It has domestic flights and some international connections to East Asia. Other options include Cheongju International Airport (about 90 minutes by car) and Gimhae International Airport in Busan (around 2 hours). Travelers coming from abroad will usually find it easiest to fly into Daegu or Busan, or arrive in Seoul and transfer by KTX.
Get around
[edit]See
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- 1 Jikjisa Temple (직지사), 95, Jikjisa-gil, Daehang-myeon. Constructed in the year 418 at the foot of Mount Hwangaksan, Jikjisa temple claims to be the oldest in Korea. Temple stays are offered. Within the temple grounds are cultural properties such as the Gilt-bronze Reliquary from the Stupa of the Three Honored Ones at Dorisa Temple (National Treasure No. 208), the Painting of the Assembly of Sakyamuni Buddha and Two Bodhisattvas at Jikjisa Temple, Gimcheon (National Treasure), the Seated Stone Medicine Buddha of Jikjisa Temple, Gimcheon (Treasure No. 319), the East and West Three-story Stone Pagodas at Docheonsa Temple Site, Mungyeong (Treasure Nos. 606 and 607), the Three-story Stone Pagoda from the Site of Gangnaksa Temple, formerly in Gumi (Treasure No. 1186), the Main Buddha Hall (Daeungjeon) of Jikjisa Temple, Gimcheon (Treasure No. 1576), the Sumidan Altar in the Main Hall of Jikjisa Temple (Treasure No. 1859), and the Large Buddhist Hanging Scroll (Gwaebul) of Jikjisa Temple (Treasure No. 2026). Among the cultural properties housed at Jikjisa Temple, there are several artifacts that were relocated from other sites such as former temple ruins. These include the Gilt-bronze Reliquary from the Stupa of the Three Honored Ones at Dorisa Temple, the East and West Three-story Stone Pagodas at Docheonsa Temple Site, Mungyeong, and the Three-story Stone Pagoda from the Site of Gangnaksa Temple, formerly in Gumi. Adult ₩2,500, youth ₩1,500, child ₩1,000.
- 2 Gimcheon Culture & Art Center (Gimcheon Arts Center(김천예술회관)), 3, Undongjang-gil (10 minutes by taxi from Gimcheon Intercity Bus Terminal, or 20 minutes by bus No. 15, 15-2, or 15-8), ☏ 054-420-7820. 09:00 ~ 22:00. The Gimcheon Culture & Art Center was established in 2000 in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, with the aim of contributing to the development of local culture and the arts. It depends on the type of performance or exhibition.(add range)).
- 3 Yeonhwaji (연화지), 820-1 Gyodong (From Gimcheon Station, take a local bus or taxi toward Gyodong (Gyo-dong). Once you reach Gyodong, follow signs or local roads to address 820-1 to get to Yeonhwaji. The trip by taxi should take about 10-15 minutes depending on traffic. Walking is possible only after you’re near Gyodong.). Open all day, year-round.. Yeonhwaji Pond is an artificial pond located in Gyodong, Gimcheon. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom around the pond and along the walking trail, and in summer the water is covered with lotus flowers. The pond is open year-round with no admission fee, and a walking path with benches and rest areas makes it suitable for light exercise and family visits. At night, the area is illuminated, and seasonal events are sometimes held on the lakeside. One of the representative events is the Yeonhwaji Cherry Blossom Festa, held every spring. The festival features busking performances, traditional Korean music concerts, recreational programs, and interactive activities. During the event, night lights enhance the cherry blossom scenery. Traffic control is implemented during the festival period. On weekdays, vehicle access is restricted from 17:00 to midnight, and on weekends from 10:00 to midnight. Visitors are advised to use nearby parking areas such as the Gimcheon Sports Complex and the Kim Ho-joong Sound Road parking lot, from which the festival site can be accessed on foot. Free.
- 4 National Center for Forest Therapy, Gimcheon (국립 김천 치유의 숲), 1237-89 Sudo-gil, Jeungsan-myeon (From Gimcheon Station, take a local bus or taxi to Gimcheon Public Bus Terminal. Then board buses Sudo-92 or Sudo-93 toward Sudo Village via Jirye-Sangbu stop. After alighting at Sudo Village stop, walk approximately 1 km to the Healing Forest. Using a car (private vehicle) via Kimcheon IC or Dong-Gimcheon IC is more convenient.), ☏ +82-54-434-4670. 09:00 – 18:00. The National Center for Forest Therapy in Gimcheon is located in a dense birch forest on the slopes of Sudosan Mountain in North Gyeongsang Province. It offers a variety of forest therapy programs that make use of the rich natural environment along scenic forest trails. One of the main programs is the thermal therapy course designed to promote blood circulation. It consists of a half-bath and herbal tea tasting, can accommodate up to six participants of all ages, and takes about one hour. Free.
- 5 Gimcheon Green Future Science Museum (김천녹색미래과학관), 31 Hyeoksin 6-ro, Yulgok-dong (From Gimcheon Station, take a local bus or taxi toward Yulgok-dong or the Innovation-District; get off near Hyeoksin 6-ro. The museum is within walking distance from the drop-off point. Taking a taxi is faster and more convenient, especially for families with children.), ☏ +82-54-429-1600. 9:30 AM ~ 6:00 PM. Closed on Mondays, January 1, and the day of Lunar New Year & Chuseok.. The Gimcheon Green Future Science Museum is a science exhibition and experience facility themed around climate change, renewable energy, and the green future. The exhibitions are organized into the Climate Change Hall, Green Energy Hall, and Green Future Hall, featuring interactive displays related to these topics. The 4D Full-Dome Theater offers stereoscopic video screenings, and outdoor experience facilities and the "Infinite Imagination Room" host science programs such as building solar-powered cars and wind generators. In addition to exhibitions, the museum regularly conducts various educational programs and events, serving as a space for science and environmental education. ₩3,000 for adults, free for children.
Do
[edit]- Jeungsan Sudo Valley Camping Resort.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Gimcheon has long been known as an agriculture-oriented city, producing a wide range of local specialties from farming and livestock. To showcase these products, the city operates an online marketplace called Gimcheon Nodaji Jangteo. On this platform, local farmers run their own shops, offering high-quality produce and regional specialties. Travelers can also take advantage of the service, which allows direct purchases at reasonable prices, making it easy to enjoy Gimcheon’s fresh local flavors even beyond the city. The following is a list of local specialties available on the website.
- Shine Muscat. Gimcheon is famous as the birthplace of Shine Muscat grapes in Korea. Thanks to its rich soil and advanced cultivation methods, the city produces sweet, long-lasting grapes earlier than anywhere else in the country. Unlike most regions where Shine Muscat is available only from late September, Gimcheon offers a harvest season stretching from July to October, giving visitors a long window to enjoy these premium grapes.
Drink
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