Gwanak-gu

Gwanak District, or Gwanak-gu is an administrative subdivision (gu) of Seoul, South Korea. It lies on southern skirt of Seoul, bordering Seoul and Anyang of Gyeonggi Province. Craggy ridgeline of Mt. Gwanak (Gwanak-san), which dominates local geography, borders two.

Originally a part of Siheung, Gyeonggi, it was transferred to Seoul with rapid expansion of the National Capital Area and its population growth in 1960s. Partitioned from Yeongdeungpo and established as a district in 1973, it is now neighbouring Seocho, Dongjak, Guro and Geumcheon Districts, and exercises jurisdiction over 21 neighbourhoods (dong) and their population of 500,000.

Overview

Gwanak is densely populated with over 500,000 people. Originally a rural area backed by Mt. Gwanak, population boom in late 1950s and early 1960s accompanied with rapid industralisation of the capital area quickly changed the town into a mosaic of dense residential and industrial area. A large and heavy slum quarters were formed by moved-in population from all over Korea who sought jobs in industrialised Seoul. Series of redevelopment projects from 1970s and relocation of Seoul National University to the district removed slum quarters and indigent textile industries and transformed the town into the residential uptown of Seoul and dwelling place for young university students from provinces.

Commercial zones

Seorim and Daehak area, and Cheongnyong area near Seoul National University, A large zone of private dormitories and small houses is located, primarily targeting for university students and national examination takers (gosi-saeng) who gathered for good environment to study. Restaurants, supermarkets, bars and pubs in the area are centered in Nokdu Street (Nokdu-geori) in Daehak area, and near Seoul National University Station. Other commercial zones for residents are located along Nambu Beltway and two main roads.

The main shopping district, named Bongcheon Central Market (Bongcheon-jungang-sijang) is positioned in Jungang Neighbourhood, north from Seoul National University Station.

Transportation

Nambu Beltway, which circles Seoul, passes through the very center of the district. The beltway and two main avenues, Gwanak Road (Gwanak-ro) and Sillim Road (Sillim-ro), make the main route of the automobile traffic. Nambu Beltway is connected to multiple express ways.

Public transportation

Green Line (Line 2) and Blue Line (Line 4) of Seoul Metro links Gwanak and other areas. Many trunk (painted in blue) buses such as 501, 506, 651 and 750 lines, and branch (in green) buses in 5XXX or X5XX line passes Gwanak area.^[2]

Metro stations

• Seoul Metro (Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation)
  • Green Line (Circle line)
    • (Dongjak) ← Nakseongdae — Bongcheon — Sillim → (Dongjak)
  • Blue Line
    • (Dongjak) ← Sadang → (Seocho)

Administrative divisions

There are three statutory subdivisions: Sillim, Bongcheon and Namhyeon Neighbourhood. Those are further divided into multiple administrative neighbourhoods (dong) to balance excessive populations and for administrative expedience. As of September, 2008, there are 21 administrative neighbourhoods in Gwanak District.^[3]

Points of interest

• Seoul National University
  • Kyujanggak Archives
  • Seoul National University Museum of Art
• Seoul Museum of Art, South Branch (SeMA Nam-Seoul)
  • Former Belgian Consulate Building
• Horim Museum (Official website)
• Nokdu Street
• Nakseongdae
  • Anguk Shrine
• Mt. Gwanak
  • Gwaneum-sa Buddhist Temple (in Mt. Gwanak Park)

Sister cities

• Daxing, Beijing, China
• Tiexi, Shenyang, China
• Royal Kingston, London, United Kingdom
• Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States of America

See also

• Geography of South Korea
• Mt. Gwanak
• Seoul National University
• Nokdu Street
• Nakseongdae

External links

• Official English website

References