Gwacheon (과천) is in Gyeonggi, just south of Seoul. The city grew as a planned city in 1980s and 90s when many of the government offices and facilities was moved from Seoul. It is now a commuter town of Seoul, with Government Complex Gwacheon, a zoo, and many museums.
Understand
[edit]It was home to 72,000 in 2010.
Get in
[edit]Located in metropolitan Seoul, Gwacheon is served by line 4 of Seoul's subway system.
Get around
[edit]
Map of Gwacheon
See
[edit]- Gwacheon National Science Museum (국립과천과학관), 110, Sanghabeol-ro 경기 과천시 상하벌로 110 (Seoul Grand Park Station (Line 4), Exit 5). Opened in 2008, this spaceship-shaped museum houses many exhibitions and attractions, especially for kids. Special programs needs to be booked in advance. ₩4,000 adults.
- Gwanaksan(관악산) is a 632-m-high Korean granite mountain on the border between Gwanak-gu and Geumcheon-gu in Seoul and Anyang and Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province. The name Gwanak comes after the mountain because it looks like a "satgat." The summit of Gwanaksan Mountain In Gwacheon City, Gyeonggi Province, there is Yeonjuam Temple. Yeonjudae (연주대) is a Gyeonggi-do monument located on the northern cliff of Yeonjuam Hermitage in Gwanaksan, South Korea.
- Seoul Grand Park (Exit No. 1,2,3 from Seoul Grand Park Station, Line No. 4. Information center is a 5-minute walk from the station). This grand park is a site for Seoul Zoo, botanical garden, MMCA Gwacheon, Seoul Land (see the 'Do' listings), campsites and mountain trails. Although it is in Gwacheon, it is owned by Seoul city. It is quite large (over 9 million m²). You can ride 'Elephant train' from the Information Center to Seoul Zoo, MMCA Seoul, and Seoul Land (₩1500 for adults). You can also ride a chairlift to go directly inside the zoo.
- 1 National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon (MMCA Gwacheon), 313, Gwangmyeong-ro (20-minute walk from Exit No. 1,2,3 from Seoul Grand Park Station, Line No. 4; also reachable by 'Elephant train'; free shuttle bus is available from MMCA Seoul and MMCA Deoksugung), ☏ +82 2-2188-6000. This is the main branch of MMCA. It was moved to current site in 1986, and holds many art collections with outdoor sculpture garden. The more, the better (Dadaikseon) by Paik Nam June is the most famous artwork, made with 1003 televisions (under restoration until 2022).
- 1 National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon (MMCA Gwacheon), 313, Gwangmyeong-ro (20-minute walk from Exit No. 1,2,3 from Seoul Grand Park Station, Line No. 4; also reachable by 'Elephant train'; free shuttle bus is available from MMCA Seoul and MMCA Deoksugung), ☏ +82 2-2188-6000. This is the main branch of MMCA. It was moved to current site in 1986, and holds many art collections with outdoor sculpture garden. The more, the better (Dadaikseon) by Paik Nam June is the most famous artwork, made with 1003 televisions (under restoration until 2022).
Do
[edit]- 1 Seoul Land (arrive at Seoulland main gate by taking the Elephant train (paid) 100 m from Subway Line 4 Grand Park and Seoulland station, Exit Number 2). Typically 09:30 to 19:00. This theme park was opened just before the Olympics in 1988. It is easy to get to by subway and is open year round.
- 2 Horse Racing (Seoul Racecourse Park Subway Station). Seoul Racetrack in Gwacheon. Races are normally only held during weekends, night racing also takes place during August. During the week, visitors can take guided tours of the grounds.
- Gwacheon Festival. Street art festival held every year.
- 3 Gwacheon Civic Center, tongyeongro 5 gwacheonsiminhoegwan (134 meters from Exit 10 of Gwacheon Government Complex Station), ☏ 02-504-7300. It is where many performances are held, including plays, musicals, and orchestra performances. It features an ice skating rink, and is known to be where Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na practiced as a child.
- 4 Gwanmoon Sports Park, Jungang Street 294, ☏ 02-504-7300. A park where citizens can contribute to the popularization of health, rest and sports activities and enjoy greenness in their daily lives.
- 5 Chu-sa museum, Chusa Street 78, ☏ 02-2150-3650. 09:00-18:00. A museum where you can see and learn everything about Chusa Kim Jung-hee, the best scholar and calligrapher of the late Joseon Dynasty 2,000₩.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Map of Gwacheon
- pot sujebi, Byeolyang Shopping Mall (259 meters away from Exit 1 of Government Gwacheon Government Complex Station.), ☏ +82 2-504-4894. 11:00-19:00. The menu only sells three, cold bean noodles, pot sujebi, and kimchi pancakes. Because many local people visit and close their stores early. ₩10,000.
- eunji yeongyangsundae, 10 Gwacheon Tower, Byeolyang Shopping Center 1-ro (112 meters from Exit 1 of Government Complex Station), ☏ +82 2-502-1512. 10:00-21:20. It is a restaurant that many local people visit to eat sundaeguk. ₩10,000.
- Jwamaura, jungangro 131 hyeondaebilding 207 (17m from Exit 11 of Government Gwacheon Government Complex Station), ☏ 0507-1358-0928. 11:00-21:30. You can enjoy delicious Malatang with Guobaorou. This is a restaurant where Malatang, which went viral in Gwacheon, is delicious.
- chunhyanggolnamwon Loachsoup, saesulmakgil 10-15 myeongmunbilding 1cheungboksa (80m from Exit 11 of Gwacheon Government Complex Station), ☏ 02-503-8383. 09:30-21:00. This is where you can taste authentic Loachsoup(chueotang). It is a delicious restaurant that is famous among the elderly. ₩12,000.
- 1 hongkong banjeom, 137 Jungang-ro, 2 floor, Gwacheon-si (Go out the front gate of Gwacheon City Hall, turn right, and walk straight.), ☏ 02-2039-5678. Daily 11:00-21:30. popular Korean-Chinese restaurant. It's known for its affordable and classic dishes like Jajangmyeon and Jjamppong 10000₩.
Drink
[edit]- White carrot, 151, 1-dong 102, Gateway-ro (walk 412 meters from Exit 7 of Gwacheon Station), ☏ +82 507-1482-2428. 11:00-19:00. Cake restaurant where people line up early in the morning
- koppi, on the second floor of the Gwacheon Central Building, 135 Jungang-ro (72 meters from Exit 11 of the Government Complex), ☏ +82 507-1417-0060. 10:00-23:00. It is a convenient place to have a gathering due to large space.
- From the Earth, byeoryangsangga1 street 40 101 (397 meters from Exit 1 of Gwacheon Government Complex Station), ☏ 02-502-0507. 09:00-20:00. This is a cafe that many residents visit because the store is large. It is famous for its delicious bread and desserts.
- Minggeul Pie, saesulmak street 36 dongseongbilding 1st (129m from Exit 11 of Government Gwacheon Government Complex Station), ☏ 0507-1371-1551. 08:30-20:00. This place is famous for its delicious pies. Many people buy it as a gift because of its good gift wrapping.
Sleep
[edit]Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Gwacheon |
| Seoul ← | N  SW
|
→ Anyang → Gunpo → Ansan |