Hongseong-gun is one of 16 cities, counties and districts in Chungcheongnam-do. It has 11 neighborhoods (3 eup · 8 myeon) and 101,926 registered residents (September 2026). The most populous neighborhood is Hongbuk-eup with 39,155.
11neighborhoods
101,926residents
Landmark stamp: Joyangmun Gate of Hongjueupseong Fortress
Positioned in Hongseong, this historic eastern fortress gate features a sturdy stone archway topped by a traditional wooden pavilion reflecting regional administrative history.
History
Rebuilt during the reign of King Gojong, the fortress gate features a wooden plaque expressing the greeting of warm morning sunlight.
What to see
The two-story wooden pavilion perched firmly atop sturdy granite arches reflects the dignified appearance of historic Joseon administrative defenses.
Visitor tip
Located gracefully in the center of town, it easily connects to preserved fortress walking paths for an enjoyable historical stroll.
Food, festivals and stories of Hongseong-gun
Local food
Hongseong is famous for its flavorful Hanwoo beef alongside sweet bird cockles caught fresh at Namdang Port.
On screen
The retro romance film Hot Young Bloods was set and filmed around nostalgic countryside streets in Hongseong.
Festivals
Namdang Port hosts a winter festival celebrating sweet and chewy bird cockles harvested from the scenic coastal waters.
Did you know?
Hongjueupseong Fortress preserves historic stone walls and gates that once defended the administrative center of ancient Hongju.
Neighborhoods of Hongseong-gun (11)
Every neighborhood has its own stamp in Random Passport. Tap “Land here” to fly straight to one.
Hongseong-eup홍성읍eup · 33,757 residents
Photo spot: The historic Yeohajeong pavilion standing quietly beside a tranquil pond offers picturesque scenery framed by graceful old trees.
Story: Joyangmun, the fortress's east gate, has endured multiple foreign invasions and stands proudly as a historic symbol of local defense.
Food: The buzzing Hongseong Traditional Market becomes lively on market days with steaming bowls of ox head broth along its popular alleys.
Photo spot: Climbing the rocky ridges of Mount Yongbongsan rewards visitors with spectacular panoramic vistas overlooking the sprawling plains of Naepo.
Story: Historic shrines honor General Choe Yeong and scholar Seong Sam-mun, who were born and studied here during pivotal dynastic eras.
Fun fact: The serene memorial museum and restored birthplace celebrate the innovative modern art legacy of renowned master painter Lee Ungno.
Name: The area was named after the dynamic shape of the surrounding mountains, which resemble a vigorous galloping horse facing the sky.
Story: Cheolmasan Mountain holds legends of a buried iron horse, where villagers historically gathered to perform sincere rain rituals during severe droughts.
Photo spot: Hong양 Reservoir offers peaceful waterside walking trails where anglers and travelers enjoy quiet moments surrounded by gentle rural hills.
Fun fact: This peaceful rural community flourishes as a nationwide model for organic agriculture, collective village initiatives, and sustainable eco-friendly living.
Story: Local farmers pioneered duck farming methods to weed rice paddies naturally, inspiring an enduring culture of chemical-free ecological stewardship.
Photo spot: Mundang Eco-Village features charming pastoral lanes and communal learning centers that display the warm spirit of community farming.
Name: The name originates from its distinctive topography, where villages settle along deep and elongated winding valleys between rolling green hills.
Story: The Goryeo-era rock-carved standing Buddha in Sinpung-ri has stood serenely on the mountain slope, protecting local villagers for centuries.
Photo spot: Scenic backcountry trails nestled beneath Mount Oseosan delight travelers with fresh wildflowers, quiet streams, and secluded country atmosphere.
Name: The poetic name was created in nineteen fourteen by combining the first Chinese characters of the historic Euncheon and Ha districts.
Story: Old folklore speaks of Euncheondong, meaning a silver stream, where villagers thrived alongside clean bubbling waterways surrounded by productive pastures.
Fun fact: Rolling meadows and fertile pastures make this tranquil farming district celebrated for raising high-quality livestock in clean rural environments.
Story: The ancestral Gyeolseong Nongyo folk songs echoed rhythmically across paddies, comforting weary farmers during demanding rice-planting seasons.
Photo spot: Standing atop the rustic stone ramparts of Gyeolseongeupseong Fortress rewards visitors with peaceful panoramic views over ancient fields and hamlets.
Fun fact: Well-preserved Joseon-era municipal magistrate buildings and the local Confucian academy maintain the dignified heritage of an old regional governing center.
Food: Namdang Port attracts seafood enthusiasts every year with succulent seasonal delicacies like plump autumnal prawns and sweet winter bird cockles.
Photo spot: Eosari Sunset Park provides romantic waterfront platforms where travelers watch breathtaking crimson sunsets illuminating the placid waters of Cheonsu Bay.
Story: Local legends say a royal secret inspector once paused along this coast to listen attentively and console villagers in hardship.
Story: This historic land is the birthplace of General Kim Jwa-jin, the patriotic hero who led the historic victory at the Battle of Cheongsanni.
Photo spot: The meticulously restored birthplace and memorial hall of General Kim Jwa-jin provide quiet gardens honoring courageous patriotic devotion.
Fun fact: Historic pottery workshops in the district continue firing traditional breathable earthenware pots using time-honored artisanal kilns.
Name: Formed by uniting historic administrative areas, this district contains renowned auspicious grounds shaped like wise long-lived turtles.
Story: Local legends whisper that whispering heartfelt prayers beside the sacred turtle-shaped boulder nestled in the valley grants long health and vitality.
Photo spot: Bogaesan Mountain becomes a serene paradise every autumn when thousands of white Siberian chrysanthemums carpet the winding forest pathways.
Local notes were drafted with the help of AI from public information. Population: Ministry of the Interior and Safety resident registration, September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.