Miniature Shape of the Korean Peninsula
| Miniature Shape of the Korean Peninsula | |
|---|---|
 2023 appearance | |
Interactive map of Miniature Shape of the Korean Peninsula | |
| 37°13′5″N 128°19′55″E / 37.21806°N 128.33194°E | |
| Location | Hanbando-myeon, Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province, South Korea |
Official name | Miniature Shape of the Korean Peninsula, Yeongwol |
| Designated | 10 June 2011 |
The Miniature Shape of the Korean Peninsula (Korean: 영월 한반도 지형) is a landform in Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province, South Korea. It was designated as a Scenic Site in 2011. The surrounding area was registered as a Ramsar wetland in 2015 under the name Hanbando Wetland (한반도 습지).
Description
Before joining the Jucheon River, the Pyeongchang River makes a wide turn, creating an erosion landform that resembles the Korean Peninsula. On the right side of the landform stands a cliff that resembles Korea's eastern coastline and on the left lies a sandy beach similar to the country's western coast.[1] Thus, the landform is called "Korean Peninsula within the Korean Peninsula".[2]
History
The landform became a tourist attraction after it was discovered in 1999 by pastor Choi Byeong-seong and Seonam Village resident Lee Jong-man during a campaign against landfill construction.[3][4] As it gained nationwide popularity, Yeongwol County changed the name of the administrative district it is in from Seo-myeon to Hanbando-myeon (Korean Peninsula Township) in 2009.[5] Muan County, Naju, and Yecheon County also discovered and promoted similar landforms.[6] It was designated as Scenic Site No. 75 in 2011.[7]
Hanbando Wetland is an alluvial wetland formed at the confluence of Jucheon River and Pyeongchang River. As it has outstanding natural scenery and high biodiversity, it was designated as a wetland protection area in 2012[3] and a Ramsar wetland in 2015.[8]
Ecosystem
The limestone cliffs are covered with colonies of Mukdenia. The area is home to a variety of aquatic species such as Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Hemibarbus mylodon, and freshwater clams as well as birds such as egrets, common mergansers, and mandarin ducks. Eurasian otters also live in the area.[1]
Facilities
Near the observatory, there are 1,600 Hibiscus syriacus trees planted by Ko Ju-seo and other photographers since 2003.[2]
Gallery
Hanbando Wetland
References
- 1 2 Kim, Hak-beom (2011). "영월 한반도지형" [Miniature Shape of the Korean Peninsula, Yeongwol]. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean).
- 1 2 Park, Gang-seop (31 August 2011). "겨레 얼 모인 곳에 무궁화 활짝 피었습니다… '한반도 속 한반도' 영월 선암마을" [Mugunghwa in Full Bloom Where the Korean Spirit Unites: Yeongwol Seonam Village, the "Korean Peninsula within the Korean Peninsula"]. Kookmin Ilbo (in Korean).
- 1 2 Park, Jong-cheol (2015). "한반도 습지" [Hanbando Wetland]. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean).
- ↑ Lee, Jin-hui (3 May 2023). "24년 전 '한반도 지형' 찾아냈던 목사, 독자들이 열광하는 환경기자 되다" [The Pastor Who Discovered the 'Korean Peninsula Landform' 24 Years Ago Becomes an Environmental Reporter Beloved by Readers]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean).
- ↑ "영월군 한반도 지형에 휘날리는 1919개 태극기" [1,919 Taegeukgi Fly Above the Miniature Shape of the Korean Peninsula, Yeongwol]. Yonhap News (in Korean). 1 March 2019.
- ↑ Ham, Young-hoon (22 December 2025). "'한반도 지형'만?!…'힙한' 지질 탐방으로 영월의 속살을 들여다보다 [함영훈의 멋·맛·쉼]" [“Just the Korean Peninsula-shaped Landform?!”… Exploring the Hidden Charms of Yeongwol Through ‘Hip’ Geological Tours [Ham Young-hoon’s Beauty · Taste · Rest]]. The Herald Business (in Korean).
- ↑ "영월 한반도 지형" [Miniature Shape of the Korean Peninsula, Yeongwol]. National Heritage Portal (in Korean). Korea Heritage Service. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "Hanbando Wetland Ramsar Site". Ramsar Sites Information Service. 21 May 2015.
- ↑ "한반도 뗏목마을" [Korean Peninsula Raft Village]. VisitKorea.or.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 26 July 2026.
External link
Media related to Miniature Shape of the Korean Peninsula at Wikimedia Commons