Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang (평창) is a city and a county in Gangwon. The city hosted the 2018 Winter Olympic and Winter Paralympic Games. Pyeongchang County's slogan, "Happy700 Pyeongchang", refers to the city's average elevation of approximately, which is said to help people stay in good health.

By train
The Gyeonggang Line (경강선) passes through Pyeongchang from west to east, providing main-line rail service. 'Korea Train Express' (KTX) stop at 'Pyeongchang Station' and 'Jinbu Station'.

Gyeonggang Line is operated from Seoul to Gangneung. Some KTX Depart from Incheon International Airport.
 * serves Jinbu-myeon and Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang County.
 * serves Yongpyeong-myeon and Bongpyeong, Pyeongchang County. It also serves other areas of Pyeongchang via bus.

By bus
Pyeongchang terminal is near the Pyeongchang sports complex. It is the only intercity bus terminal in Pyeongchang. Major domestic route destination:


 * Dong-Seoul terminal (Korean: 동서울종합터미널, it is in Seoul) - Pyeongchang intercity bus terminal (Korean: 평창시외버스터미널)
 * Wonju intercity bus terminal (Korean: 원주시외버스터미널, it is in Wonju) - Pyeongchang intercity bus terminal
 * Chuncheon intercity bus terminal (Korean: 춘천시외버스터미널, it is in Chuncheon) - Pyeongchang intercity bus terminal

By plane
There is no airplane directly headed to Pyeongchang. There are a few flights in Yangyang International Airport, but this is not recommended.

If you use a charter flight, Yangyang International Airport is a possible option. Otherwise, use other methods.



By car
The 234-km Yeongdong Expressway connects Incheon to Gangneung. Numbered 50, it connects the Seoul area with Gangwon Province. Pyeongchang is between Incheon and Gangneung. You can enter the Pyeongchang by move out to Pyeongchang InterChange in Yeongdong Expressway.

By taxi
Pyeongchang has few city bus lines, but there are many taxis. In Pyeongchang, the base rate of a taxi is ₩2,800 and it will increase by ₩200 per 152 m. Remembering a taxi-calling agency's or driver's phone number is useful.

Buy


There is no big supermarket in Pyeongchang. You should shop in traditional markets or convenience stores or middle-sized markets such as Hanaro Mart.

Eat



 * Buckwheat is Pyeongchang's and Gangwon's special regional product. There are many local foodstuffs made of buckwheat. One famous dish is makguksu (buckwheat noodles). There is two kind of makguksu. One is mulmakguksu (with cool soup) and another is bibimmakguksu (with spicy sauce). Buckwheat jelly is also a famous food in Pyeongchang.
 * Korean beef is Pyeongchang's special regional product. There is some place near to Pyeongchang called Daegwanryeong. Daegwanryeong is highland so there is a good place to breed cow for beef. Actually, Gangwondo's Korean beef is famous in Korea because there are many good places to breed cow for beef. There is a famous Korean beef festival in Hoengseong (near to Pyeongchang).
 * Rainbow trout is one of the most popular foods in Pyeongchang. The fish's country of origin is North America and Russia. In South Korea, it was imported and raised in Pyeongchang in 1965. Pyeongchang has held 'Pyeongchang Trout Festival' and rainbow trout is treated as a native fish even though it was imported. In Korea, there are almost no native trouts, Koreans treat rainbow trout as native trout. There is a reason why Pyeongchang's rainbow trout tastes good. The reason is in the water. Rainbow trout is raised in fish farms. Pyeongchang's fish farms use the water from a valley. It is cold and pure. Because the fish swim freely around the large area, their meat is tasty.
 * Pyeongchang Korean Beef Village Myeon On Store (평창한우마을 면온점), ☏ 57033-333-977 Jinjo-gil, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, where you can enjoy Korean beef, a specialty of Pyeongchang, in a wide restaurant. There is also a barbecue place outside where you can accompany your dog.
 * Pyeongchang Korean Beef Village Myeon On Store (평창한우마을 면온점), ☏ 57033-333-977 Jinjo-gil, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, where you can enjoy Korean beef, a specialty of Pyeongchang, in a wide restaurant. There is also a barbecue place outside where you can accompany your dog.
 * Pyeongchang Korean Beef Village Myeon On Store (평창한우마을 면온점), ☏ 57033-333-977 Jinjo-gil, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, where you can enjoy Korean beef, a specialty of Pyeongchang, in a wide restaurant. There is also a barbecue place outside where you can accompany your dog.

Drink

 * Makgeolli (rice wine) is Korean traditional alcohol is makgeolli. Corn is one of Pyeongchang's speciality so there is Pyeongchang corn makgeolli. Soju is also Korean traditional alcohol and there is also Pyeongchang soju which is made by Solraewon.
 * Buckwheat tea is a tea that has been made from some processes. First, make a boiled rice by using the buckwheat and dry it. Then pour the water and boil it. Buckwheat tea is a native foods of Gangwon-do. Buckwheat tea has many positive potencies. The main effects are diuretic effect, adult diseases prevention, cure of hypertension, improvements of liver function, diet, and it makes one's mind clear. Also, the buckwheat is good because it contains many nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins, lysine rather than any other grains. But people who have indigestion, hypotension, stomach and intestines diseases might as well avoid the buckwheat. In Korea, there is a very famous novel, At Buckwheat Flower-blossom Time. The setting of this novel is Pyeongchang. Especially Pyeongchang-gun Bongpyeong-myeon is famous for the novel and buckwheat.

Sleep
Inns and hotels There are many local inns and hotels around at reasonable prices ranging from ₩15,000 and up. Because there are no English introduction except for hotel or resort, so there are some extra explanation about motel and guesthouse such as price, check in, check out and so on.

Stay safe
South Korea generally has a good deal of security. Drugs, gambling, and guns are prohibited in Korea. Pyeongchang has a population of 43,500 so this city is categorized as a small city in Korea. Also, owing to the small floating population, security is kept well. The crime rate in Pyeongchang is 91.0 per 10,000 people which is an average rate of Korea, so it is not a city to pay extra attention. Moreover, Gangwon-do Province Police has a high arresting rate of crime.

However, visitors need a basic sense of safety. Beware of pickpockets, beggars or violence. For visitors' safe travel, there are some emergency contacts. In Korea, civil servants can speak English basically, so visitors can solve many civil complaints without any problems if they report it in English.



Go next
Nearby port cities include:
 * Gangneung
 * Sokcho
 * Donghae, which has a ferry connection to Ulleungdo island.
 * Hoengseong is close to Pyeongchang and hosts a famous Korean beef festival.
 * Odaesan National Park is also nearby and includes Odaesan (오대산), which is considered one of the most beautiful mountains in South Korea.