Hongcheon

Hongcheon is a county in Gangwon with extensive mountains, valleys, and rivers that shape the landscape. The area spans 1,818 square kilometers and features dense forests along with multiple waterways that flow through the terrain.

The place was originally known as BulRyeokChunHyeon during the Goguryeo period and received its current name Hongcheon in 1043 under King In-Jong's rule. The renaming was part of an administrative reorganization that affected many areas of the peninsula.

The Hongcheon River Festival brings residents and visitors together year-round to experience traditional performances and local food specialties. The celebration shows how deeply the community connects with its natural surroundings and the river that shapes life here.

The area is connected by buses to larger cities in Gangwon, with routes following the river valley and through mountainous roads. Those exploring the region should expect longer travel times, as the terrain shapes the connections.

In August 2018, South Korea's highest recorded temperatures were reached here, demonstrating the extreme continental climate of the region. This exceptional heat makes Hongcheon a place with particularly harsh weather conditions.