Introduction to Namyangju City

Unique Korean tradition and culture are well-preserved in Namyangju City, and still does not refuse to grow.

Where is Namyangju?

Namyangju City is located in northeastern Gyeonggi Province. Its population surpassed 700,000 in October 2019, with Namyangju having the second largest population in northern Gyeonggi Province after Goyang City. The city's name literally means the ‘southern part’ of Yangju, and traces of ancient Yangju still remain.

Namyangju is located near Bukhan Riverside
ⓒGyeonggi Province

Culture and Economy

Our Neighborhood Art Project

Namyangju introduced its public art project, Our Neighborhood Art, at the Jeong Yak-yong Library in March to bring residents and art closer together. This four-month project ran from November last year to February this year. A total of 35 artists successfully participated in the project.

The project provided space and opportunities to artists who faced challenges due to COVID-19. It also produced and displayed artworks through which each local government could promote the cultural enrichment of Gyeonggi-do residents. As a result, 12 artworks under the theme of Jeong Yak-yong, a representative figure of Namyangju, were displayed in the Jeong Yak-yong Library.

The Jeong Yak-yong Library, the largest library in northern Gyeonggi Province, serves not only as a reading venue, but also as a complex cultural space. The first step was successfully initiated through this public art project. The artists agreed that it was an opportunity to not only engage in artistic activities, but also to learn about Jeong Yak-yong. In addition to knowledge of this historical figure, they were also able to capture personal aspects of Jeong Yak-yong through many related stories that were incorporated into their artwork.

Neungnae Railroad station has well-preserved what it used to be in the 1980s
ⓒGyeonggi Province

Binggrae

Binggrae is a pan-Korean dairy specialty company and one of the few companies whose name is derived from pure Korean. Binggrae is the nation's fourth largest milk producer after Seoul Milk, Namyang Dairy, and Maeil Dairy. However, it is better known for flagship products such as Banana Milk and Yoplait – which are the most popular of its processed and fermented milk products – as well as for a variety of ice creams such as Together and Melona. For a considerable period of time, the company continued its campaign supporting rediscovery of the Korean independence movement as well as scholarship projects for independence fighters and descendants of merit.

Tourism

Paldang Dam

Paldang Dam is a multi-purpose dam on the main course of the Han River in Gyeonggi Province that spans from Namyangju to Hanam. The dam was built in 1973 to supply water to Seoul and surrounding cities due to explosive population growth in the metropolitan area.

Paldang Dam in Namyangju City
ⓒGyeonggi Province

Paldang Dam supplies 2.6 million tons of water a day and produces 256 million kilowatts of electricity annually. As a result, the area around Paldang Dam has been designated as water resource reserve. Paldang Lake, which was created when Paldang Dam was established, is also used as a tourism resource. Paldang Lake is regarded as a landmark tourism resource in Namyangju and Hanam, receiving large numbers of visitors in the fall.

Hongyu Royal Tombs

This site was designated as Historic Site No. 207 in 1970. Gojong’s tomb, Hongneung, was established in 1919 while Yureung was built in 1926 for Sunjong. This is the last royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty, and the remains of King Sunjong were buried here, making it the last royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty to hold the remains of a king.

Dasan Historic Site

Jeong Yak-yong's historical site features his preserved birthplace as well as his tomb. In addition, there is also a memorial hall and a cultural center dedicated to Jeong Yak-yong's achievements. The low fence of his birthplace represents Jeong Yak-yong's warm heart and reflects his desire to share the joy and pain of people. The Jeong Yak-yong Cultural Festival, which is held twice a year at this historic site, features various events and performances based on Jeong Yak-yong's life and wisdom.

Dasan Ecological Park provides not only beautiful nature but also Jeong Yak-yong's historical site
ⓒGyeonggi Province

Mongolian Cultural Village

Namyangju City has established a partnership with Ulaanbaatar City, the capital of Mongolia, and has engaged in various exchanges. As part of this, Mongolian Cultural Village was built in Namyangju to host various cultural events, and the Namyangju Cultural Center was built in Ulaanbaatar for the same purpose.

The Mongolian Cultural Village is divided into exhibition spaces and concert halls. The first thing that catches the eye when entering the exhibition space is a traditional Mongolian home – a mobile tent on a wooden frame – called a yurt. Inside the yurt, people can envision the lifestyle of nomads as represented by relevant household items. Located at the center of the cultural village, the Folklore Exhibition Hall displays Mongolian culture, including hunting tools, utensils, and traditional clothes.

The Mongolian Cultural Village
ⓒGyeonggi Province

The highlight of the folk art performances in the cultural village is Tuvan throat singing. Known as khoomei, this method of vocalization that produces both high and low notes has been registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage item. The khoomei show runs twice a day and runs from March to November every year.