Gochang
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Gochang 고창군 |
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|---|---|---|
| County | ||
| Korean transcription(s) | ||
| • Hangul | ||
| • Hanja | ||
| • Revised Romanization | Gochang-gun | |
| • McCune-Reischauer | Koch'ang-gun | |
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 Location in South Korea |
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| Country |
 South Korea
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| Region | Honam | |
| Administrative divisions | 1 eup, 13 myeon | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 606.90 km2 (234.33 sq mi) | |
| Population (2013) | ||
| • Total | 60,522 | |
| • Density | 100/km2 (260/sq mi) | |
| • Dialect | Jeolla | |
Gochang County (Gochang-gun) is a county in North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is a rural area, and is home to only one institution of higher education: Gochang Polytechnic College.
Famous people from Gochang include the 20th-century poet Midang.
The temple of Seonunsa is also located in Gochang.
The Gochang Dolmens located in Maesan village are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and Historic Site #391.
Gochang is the town with most dolmen sites in Korea. Some of the dolmens in Dosan-ri, Sanggap-ri and Maesan-ri are of the southern style, whereas most of those in the rest of North Jeolla-do Province are of the northern style. This proves that a wide scope of culture existed in the town in the prehistoric times.
Gochang is where Morobiri, one of the 54 small countries during the ancient Mahan Period was located. The town was called Moryangburi-hyeon or Moryang-hyeon in the Baekje Period, then renamed as Gochanghyun in the United Kingdom of Shilla.
When it comes to the town's famous spots the first things that come to mind are Seonunsa or Seonun Temple and the Gochangeupseong Fortress. Seonunsa Temple is one of the leading Buddhist temples in North Jeolla-do Province. It is not only famous for camellias but also has quite a few Buddhist treasures such as Daeungjeon or the main building and the statue of a Buddhist saint named Jijang.
Meanwhile Gochangeupseong Fortress is the best-preserved fortress in the country. Built in the early days of the Joseon Dynasty to protect the town against Japanese invaders, the fortress has carried on the tradition of stepping on the ground of the fortress. A town named Mujang in Seongnae-ri, Mujang-myeon, also has a fortress. The south gate and mud rampart of the Mujang Town Fortress are in their original form.
Part of Shin Jae Hyo's house remains near a pavilion called Gongbungnu within the Gochang Fortress. Gochang has relics of Dongjae all over a town called Ogari Dangsan, Sadong, Gosu-myeon, which used to be a home for the production of ceramics from celadon porcelains of the Goryeo Dynasty to white porcelains of the Chosun Dynasty and throughout the Japanese colonial period. Sudong-ri, Buan-myeon has a bunchung production site. This is a specific type of porcelain. This place has been designated as a historic site as well. Bongan-ri, Buan-myeon has Kim Seong Su's house. The design is typical houste of wealthy families in the region.
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Wikipedia