Gochang

Gochang is a county (gun) in North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is located in the western part of the province and is administered from the town of Gochang-eup. The area is largely rural, with agriculture and forestry forming the basis of the local economy.

Gochang is best known for the Gochang Dolmen Site, a large collection of megalithic tombs dating to the Bronze Age. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites,” which was inscribed in 2000. The dolmens are spread across fields and hills, illustrating the early ritual landscape of the Korean peninsula and representing one of the highest concentrations of megalithic tombs in Korea.

Tourism and culture play important roles in the county. The dolmen complex attracts visitors and scholars, with walking trails and information centers that interpret the archaeology and landscape. In addition to its prehistoric heritage, Gochang reflects rural Jeolla Province through local markets, agriculture, and regional cuisine, contributing to a broader sense of regional culture within South Korea.

Administration in Gochang is organized with Gochang-eup serving as the county seat, alongside several neighboring towns and townships that manage local governance and services. The region’s historical sites, natural scenery, and agricultural traditions continue to shape its identity within North Jeolla Province.