(Source: Between Us Parents)
PyeongChang is a city located in South Korea and the world’s focus will be upon it on February 8, 2018,* the start of the Winter Olympic Games. Here are some fun facts about PyeongChang, South Korea.
+ PyeongChang is located in the Gangwon province, which is in eastern South Korea.
+ PyeongChang is the smallest city to host an Olympic Games, summer or winter, since the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.
+ South Korea does not have open container laws like we do in the U.S. Public drinking is fine, and people can carry alcoholic containers in public and can take a drink or two.
+ PyeongChang is the first city in South Korea and only the second city in Asia to host the Winter Olympics. The 1988 Summer Olympics took place in Seoul, South Korea.
+ PyeongChang is approximately a 2.5 hour car ride from Seoul when there is no traffic. A new high-speed railway is cutting travel time in half between the two cities.
+ Many of the events will take place at the Alpensia Ski Resort. All venues are within 30 minutes of the Olympic Stadium.
+ Third time’s a charm! This was the third time that PyeongChang bid to host the Winter Olympics. The city lost to Sochi, Russia and Vancouver, Canada. Other cities that submitted a bid to host the Winter Olympics in 2018 included Munich, Germany and Annecy, France.
+ The mascot is a white tiger named Soohorang. The white color is meant to evoke the snow and ice of winter sports. The white tiger is viewed as a guardian that helps protect the country and its people in Korean mythology.
+ Gangwon Province is known for its mountain vegetables and hanwoo beef, which is tender and similar to Wagyu beef.
* Competition begins on February 8th, but the Opening Ceremonies will be held on February 9th.