Gimpo, city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Gimpo is a city in Gyeonggi Province located in the western part of South Korea near the Han River and Yellow Sea, characterized by flat plains. The city is divided into distinct areas: Pungmu-dong features modern apartment buildings and shopping centers that serve commuters from Seoul, while Tongjin-eup retains a rural character with farms and small markets.
Gimpo has been inhabited for thousands of years as part of ancient kingdoms like Goguryeo and Silla, with its plains used for rice cultivation for over 5000 years. Twentieth-century development accelerated when the Japanese built Gimpo Airfield, which became critical during the Korean War, eventually leading to Gimpo International Airport; the city officially gained city status in 1998 following rapid modernization.
Gimpo's identity is rooted in rice farming, a tradition visible in the shape of its fields and local customs that persist today. The city shows how rural villages coexist with modern apartment complexes, creating spaces where traditional ways of life continue alongside urban development.
Gimpo is served by Gimpo International Airport, which primarily connects to Seoul and nearby Asian cities, with buses and taxis providing transport into the city. Regional express buses link the city to Seoul and surrounding areas, while the Gimpo Goldline train can be tracked via smartphone apps, as can taxi services through Kakao Taxi.
The city operates an unusual electric bicycle system called Elecle featuring self-locking, internet-connected bikes, making short trips without cars increasingly popular among residents. This focus on cycling infrastructure is uncommon for South Korean cities and reflects a commitment to sustainable daily mobility.
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