Danyang and Damyang

Funny how in some instances one letter in a word can spell a whole lot of difference in your search, I was looking for some info on DaNyang which I thought was Korea’s bamboo center but I accidentally typed in DaMyang in the search bar. Much to my surprise, there is a county in Korea named Damyang and while reading thru the search results, it is actually Damyang which is considered as the center for bamboo cultivation and craftsmanship in Korea and not Danyang, as I initially presumed. Danyang is located in North Chungcheong Province (Chungcheongbuk-do) while Damyang is located in Jeollanam-do.

Here are some info I got to know of the similar sounding counties in Korea:

Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do is located around 22 kms north of Gwangju. A picturesque lush green county, thanks to the bamboo forests and gardens that abound the area. Its Bamboo Museum is the only one of its kind in the world. For those wanting to commune with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday living, Damyang is the place for you. Spectacular Soswaewon garden complex offers a sanctuary for the tired individual offering a serene atmosphere where only the music created by nature are the only sounds you can hear. Jukhyang-ri village right beside Jungnogwon bamboo forest is the perfect place to experience Korean-style lodging. A climb atop Mt. Sanseong-san will reward you with a view of a mountain fortress which is believed to be built during Korea’s Three Kingdoms period. After the climb, you can enjoy yourself with some pampering at the luxurious spa at the Damyang Resort. And since your in Korea’s bamboo land, a representative food of the region is daetongbap, rice cooked in bamboo. It is made by filling a bamboo stalk with rice, dates and other ingredients and covered with hanji paper and steamed for approximately four hours. After eating the dish, you can keep the vessel as a souvenir.

Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, is about a 2.5-hour drive from Seoul. Resting next to the Chungjuho Lake and surrounded by three national parks, namely, Sobaeksan National Park; Chiaksan National Park; and Odaesan National Park, it also has numerous caves (Gosu, Nodong, Ondol, Cheongdong) scattered throughout the area, Danyang is considered as North Chungcheong’s top attraction. Danyang is touted as a complete tourist destination since it not only offers cultural and natural sites, it is also a haven for the active individual, one can actually do paragliding, motorized hang-gliding, rafting, boating, and clay shooting there.

If Damyang is known for its bamboo, Danyang’s major products are cement and garlic.

A simple case of typographical error with a happy ending.

Jeollanamdo’s Newest Attraction: The Formula One Grand Prix of South Korea

I've always considered Formula One as the pinnacle of motorsport and as an avid fan, I follow all races live on TV, even if it means waking up at 2 AM just to catch the Brazilian Grand Prix and Canadian Grand Prix live. And while watching the just concluded Telefonica Formula One European Grand Prix the other night, it came to my mind that Korea will be playing host to one of the races in 2010. The Korean International Circuit will be the newest leg to be included in the 2010 F1 calendar and the 5th circuit in Asia after Japan, Malaysia, China, and Singapore.

About the circuit

The Jeonnam Circuit features a lot of pioneer features in race circuit design: First, it has been conceived as a dual-structure track, it has 2 inter-changeable tracks or two tracks in one venue. The 5.6 km track is intended for international motorsports events such as F1 Grand Prix, while the permanent track which is 3.04 kms in length will be used for domestic races for automobile and motorcycle races. Second, it is the only track in Asia which will run counterclockwise. Of the 17 races in the F1 calendar this year, the tracks in Turkey and Brazil are the only circuits which were designed as such. Third, the Jeonnam Circuit will have 2 separate sets of pits and paddocks for the F1 and the local events, the very first circuit to ever have different facilities within the same circuit. And finally, the Korean circuit will be the only track to have the ocean in the background. A lot of first in formula one.

Of course, lest I forget, the track was designed by no other than Hermann Tilke, the person responsible for designing majority of the F1 tracks.

A glimpse of the track 

The host

Yeongam County in Jeollanam Province will be the newest host of Formula One starting 2010. It is near the town of Mokpo and roughly about 240 miles south of Seoul. Home to various attractions of Korea such as Mount Wolchul otherwise known as Soguemgang or Little Geumgang; Dogapsa Temple; and Gurim Traditional Village the birthplace of loess pottery.

With its numerous tourist attractions and the addition of the Formula One race, Korea is definitely proving itself as a destination of choice for international travelers; a major player in the tourism industry.