Buan-gun
Cherry Blossom Road in Cheongnim-ri, Sangseo-myeonThis photo shows the Cherry Blossom Road in Cheongnim-ri, Sangseo-myeon, which extends along local road no. 736. This local road passes through the Naebyeonsan and stretches from Cheonnim Village to the Buan Cheongnim Astronomical Observatory’s youth training center.
Sunset View from Wido IslandThis is the sunset view at the West Sea, viewed from Wido Island in Buan-gun.
Buan MulberriesThis photo shows mulberries, one of Buan’s major special products. Buan mulberries were registered as geographical indication product no. 107.
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LocationBuan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryRegional Overview
- Korean부안군
- Chinese扶安郡
- Nickname낭주|부풍
- FieldGeography / Human Geography
- Contents TypeConceptual Terminology / Conceptual Terminology (Overview)
- Definition
- A county located on the western part of Jeollabuk-do
- Forms and Composition
- The area around present-day Buan-gun was part of Jiban-guk, one of the 54 small tribal states forming Mahan during the Samhan period. It became part of Gaehwa-hyeon in Baekje (17 BCE - 660) during the Three Kingdoms Period but was changed to Buryeong-hyeon in 757 during the Unified Silla period (676-ca. early 10th c.). The prefecture was incorporated with Boan-hyeong in the south to be Buan-hyeon in 1416 during the Joseon period, christened with nicknames such as Nangju and Bupung.
The county became Buan-gun of Jeongju-bu in 1895 and Buan-gun of Jeollabuk-do. The reform of the administrative divisions carried out in 1914 incorporated Dongdo-myeong and Hadong-myeon into Buryeong-myeon, Namha-myeon and Sosan-myeon into Jusan-myeon, Sangdong-myeon, Ido-myeon, and Ildo-myeon into Dongjin-myeon, Namsang-myeon and Seodo-myeon into Haengan-myeon, Ipsang-myeon and Ipha-myeon into Boan-myeon, Jwasannae-myeon and Usannae-myeon into Sannae-myeon, and the three sub-prefectures-Geoma-myeon and Deongnim-myeon and Baeksan-myeon, which had been under the jurisdiction of Gobu-gun-into Baeksan-myeon (10 myeon).
In 1931, Geonseon-myeon was renamed Julpo-myeon after the name of Buan's main seaport, Julpo-hang. The promotion of Buryeong-myeon to Buan-eup in 1943 and the transfer of Wido-myeon from Yeonggwang-gun of Jeollanam-do to Buan-gun of Jeollabuk-do in 1963 led the county of Buan consisting of 1 eup and 10 myeon. In 1987, Sannae-myeon was renamed Byeonsan-myeon.
Of the one eup (i.e., Buan-eup) and twelve myeon (i.e., Jusan-myeon, Dongjin-myeon, Haengan-myeon, Gyehwa-myeon, Boan-myeon, Byeonsan-myeon, Jinseo-myeon, Baeksan-myeon, Sangseo-myeon, Haseo-myeon, Julpo-myeon, and Wido-myeon), five sub-prefectures (Byeonsan-myeon, Sangseo-myeon, Jinseo-myeon, Haseo-myeon, and Boan-myeon), the name Byeonsan dates back to the Samhan and the following Three Kingdoms Period, but it was in the 1980s when Sannae-myeon was separated from Jinseo-myeon in 1983 and renamed Byeonsan-myeon in 1987 that the name began to be used as that of an administrative division.
- Location and Area
- Buan-gun is located between 126°50'20"E (Wolpyeong Village of Daesu-ri, Baeksan-myeon) and 126°05'59"E (Sangwangdeungdo in Wodo-myeon), with the western end of the county forming Jeokbyeokgang Cliffs (126°27'27"E). The distance between the eastern and western ends-that is, from Daesu-ri of Baeksan-myeon to Sangwangdeungdo Island of Wido-myeon-is 67㎞, and to Jeokbyeokgang Cliffs, which is the end of the land, about 35㎞. The northernmost part of the county, Gyehwa-ri of Gyehwa-myeon, is 35°47'35"N whereas the southernmost end, Upo-ri of Julpo-myeon, is 35°33'58"N, making the north-south distance 26.2㎞.
Buan-gun consists of 35 islands, 7 of which (Wido, Sikdo, Jeonggeumdo, Georyundo, Sangwangdeungdo and Hawangdeungdo of Wido-myeon, and Haseom of Byeonsan-myeon) are inhabited and the remaining 28 uninhabited. Among them, Sangwangdeungdo, located at the westernmost point of the county, is 32.3 ㎞ away from the mainland and Wido Island is 14.6㎞ from it.
Buan-gun was 433.14㎢ in area in 1960, gradually increasing its size with reclaimed land around Gyehwado Island to 493.35㎢ in 2019. Buan-gun accounts for 6.1% of the total area of Jeollabuk-do (8,055㎢), ranking 12th out of the 14 counties (gun) forming the province; its population, which accounts for 2.95% of the province's total population, is ranked 9th out of the 14 counties. It is Jeonju, the provincial capital of Jeollabuk-do, that accounts for the largest portion (35.28%) of the total provincial population but is the smallest in area (206.04㎢) among the city- and county-level administrative divisions constituting the province of Jeollabuk-do.
As for the size of the 13 sub-counties forming Buan-gun, Byeonsan-myeon is the largest with 86.03㎢ in area, accounting for 17.4% of the total area of the county, followed by Sangseo-myeon (51.50㎢, 10.4%), Gyehwa-myeon (49.12㎢, 10.0%), Haseo-myeon (8.8%), Boan-myeon (8.4%), Dongjin-myeon (8.0%), Jinseo-myeon (7.9%), Baeksan-myeon (7.4%), Buan-eup (5.0%), Jusan-myeon (5.0%), Julpo-myeon (4.7%), and Haengan-myeon (4.1%). The smallest subcounty is Wido-myeon with 14.32㎢ in area, constituting 2.9% of the total area of the province.
As for the land categories of Buan-gun, woodland has the highest rate with 40.2% followed by paddy fields (28.7%), dry fields (10.8%), building grounds (2.8%), and others (20.3%). Of Buan's 13 sub-counties, 6 are bordered with the seas, forming a coastline with total length of 173.3㎞. Of the 6, Wido-myeon has the longest coastline with 96.5㎞ (55.7%) followed by Byeonsan-myeon (49.6㎞, 28.6%), Jinseo-myeon (13.0㎞), Boan-myeon (4.0㎞), Julpo-myeon (4.0㎞), and Haseo-myeon (6.2㎞). Gyehwa-myeon lost its coastline after the construction of Saemangeum Embarkment.
- Climate
- The figures of the meteorological data of Buan collected for a period of 30 years (1981 to 2010) show that the county has an annual mean temperature of 12.6℃ (18.0℃ as the highest temperature, 8.0℃ as the lowest), with 76.0% average humidity, 1,250.4㎜average annual precipitation, and 1.6m/s mean wind velocity. The eastern inland area of the county features the elements of a continental climate, the Naebyeonsan area, those of a mountain climate, and the Oebyeonsan area in the west bordering the West Sea, those of an oceanic climate.
In Buan, about 66% (823㎜) of the total annual precipitation amount (1,250.4㎜) occurs during summer from June to September, but the figure is limited to 110.4㎜ in winter. The winter precipitation is provided typically by heavy snowfall caused by the cold continental high pressure that expands from the northwest of the Korean Peninsula. The heavy snowfall that hits Buan in winter season has made it one of the key points for snow cover observation in the western coast of the peninsula. The annual average wind velocity in Buan is 1.6m/s, slightly lower than other coastal areas across Korea, although the area around Gyeokpo Port at the southwestern end of Buan tends to be hit hard by wintry winds due to geographical features characterizing the area.
- Geographical Condition
- The geography of Buan is marked by the wide open paddy fields in the northeastern region (Gyehwa-myeon, Haengan-myeon, Dongjin-myeon, and Baeksan-myeon), hilly area in the east (Buan-eup, Jusan-myeon, Sangseo-myeon, Haseo-myeon, Boan-myeon, and Julpo-myeon), mountainous terrains on the west of Byeonsan Peninsula (Byeonsan-myeon and Jinseo-myeon), and a group of islands (Wido-myeon).
The northern part of Buan-gun is characterized by an expanse of reclaimed land created around Gyehwado Island, with Dongjin-myeon and Baeksan-myeon in the northeast linked with the Honam Plain through the estuaries of Gobucheon and Dongjingang Rivers. The mountainous area of Byeonsan Peninsula on the county's southwestern part is divided into two sections: Inner Byeonsan on the inner land and Outer Byeonsan along the coast. The west coast of the county is characterized by a long coastline (173.3㎞) and a group of about 35 islands (7 inhabited, 28 uninhabited), including Wido, Sangwangdeungdo, and Hawangdeungdo.
The Byeonsan Peninsula has five sub-prefectures: Buan-gun, Byeonsan-myeon, Jinseo-myeon, Boan-myeon, Sangseo-myeon, and Haseo-myeon. The mountainous area of the peninsula, called Naebyeonsan or Inner Byeonsan, is occupied by Junggye-ri of Byeonsan-myeon and Sangseo-myeon of Cheongnim-ri, and the peninsula's coastal area, called Oebyeonsan or Outer Byeonsan, by the towns and villages of Byeonsan-myeon.
- Rivers
- Rivers in Buan-gun are represented by Gobucheon, a river originating from Dongnim Reservoir in Seongnae-myeon of Gochang-gun-flowing northward to merge into Dongjingang in Baeksan-myeon-and Baekcheon, which originates from the watershed of Sangseo-myeon and heads toward the northwest to join the waters of Hoeyang and Bongnae Valleys before entering the Saemangeum area in Haechang through Buan Dam (completed in 1996). Buan's third major river, Jusangcheon, originates from Sasan Reservoir in Sangseo-myeon and flows westward into the Saemangeum area by way of Cheongho Reservoir.
The Inner Byeonsan area belongs to the Baekcheon Watershed where the river flows east to west to Buan Dam in its lower reaches. Baekcheon, whose headwater is in Ganeungol Reservoir west of Useuljae Pass (120m), flows east to west and then southwest to merge with Geoseokcheon River (Geoseokje and Cheongnimje Reservoirs), which originates from the south of Cheongnim-ri of Sangseo-myeon. The river continues to flow westward to merge around Junggyegyo Bridge into the waters of Gamasocheon (or Hoeyang Valley) running from the south before joining Jiksocheon flowing from Bongnae Gugok. In the north, the river is also merged with the waters of Gusigol located between Uisangbong Peak (508.6,) and Soeppulbawi Rock.
After merging its tributaries, Baekcheon flows westward into the reservoir of Buan Dam, finally reaching Byeonsangyo Bridge at Baechangman Bay and entering the Saemangeum Breakwater of the western seacoast. The tributaries of the Baekcheon River largely flow from the south, forming-as they run-Bongnae Valley of Jiksocheon, Hoeyang Valley of Gamasocheon, and finally, Junggye Valley at the main stream of Baekcheon. The southern and northern reaches of Baekcheon Watershed are surrounded by mountain peaks about 400 meters high with the waters running through Useuljae Pass in the east and Buan Dam in the west before merging into the West Sea at Haechangman Bay in the north. Baekcheon Valley is linked with the outside world via the mountain passes of Useuljae in the east, Badeujae (180m) and Jaebaegi (160m) in the south, and Namyeochi (100m) in the west.
The interior of Inner Byeonsan is formed by the single watershed of Baekcheon River, whereas the watershed outside Inner Byeonsan can be divided into four parts in the four cardinal directions with Inner Byeonsan at the center. The watershed in the north spreads to contain Munsuje and Geumgwangje Reservoirs in Baengnyeon-ri of Haseo-myeon, Seoksang-ri of Haseo-myeon, and Tongjeong-ri of Sangseo-myeon, containing several streams flowing northward. The area east of Inner Byeonsan includes Gao-ri and Gamgyo-ri (Gaeamje and Sasan Reservoirs) of Sangseo-myeon and Sinchangcheon (Yeongjeon Reservoir) of Nampo-ri. In the watershed of Hobeolchi Pass where Sangseo-myeon and Boan-myeon are bordered with each other, the streams in Sangseo-myeon run northward, whereas those in Boan-myeon run to the opposite direction. Streams in the south of Inner Byeonsan-which include Udong-ri (Udongje Reservoir) of Boan-myeon, Jinseo-ri (Yeondongje Reservoir) of Jinseo-myeon, Seokpo-ri (Seokpocheon Stream and Seokpoje Reservoir) of Jinseo-myeon, Unho-ri (Unho Reservoir and Maljae Pass) of Jinseo-myeon-flow southward. The watershed west of Inner Byeonsan includes Daehang-ri of Byeonsan-myeon, Jongam Reservoir in Gyeokpo-ri, Yuyuje Reservoir in Mapo-ri, and Unsanje Reservoir in Unsan-ri.
The basin around Baekcheon River (length of the main stream: approx. 18㎞) in Inner Byeonsan is the most abundant in water all over Byeonsan Peninsula, and it has diverse geographical features. The river starts to flow around Useuljae Pass northeast of Byeonsan Peninsula and runs to Byeonsangyo Bridge before joining the West Sea by way of Seamangeum Breakwater. Forming a key part of Inner Byeonsan, the basin around Baekcheon River includes Junggye, Bongnae, and Hoeyang Valleys.
- Population
- The population of Buan-gun is 54,150 as of December 31, 2019, ranking 9th out of 14 cities and counties of Jeollabuk-do and 3rd among the 8 counties of the province after Wanju-gun (95,881) and Gochang-gun (56,467), accounting for 2.9% of the total population of Jeollabuk-do (1,851,991). The following figures, recorded every five years from 1960, show the dramatic changes occurring in the population of Buan-gun: 149,707 in 1960, 172,866 in 1965, 161,273 in 1970, 155,887 in 1975, 130,894 in 1980, 114,306 in 1985, 102,787 in 1990, 84,383 in 1995, 74,877 in 2000, 65,267 in 2005, 60,597 in 2010, and 57,492 in 2015. It was in 1966 when Buan had the largest population with 175,044, which has continued to fall since then to became 92,812, or below 100,000, in 1992.
Buan-gun consisted of 1 town (eup) and 12 sub-counties (myeon); the population of Buan-eup was 21,038 as of December 31, 2019, accounting for 38.85% of the total population of Buan-gun, 54,150. The population of the county by sub-county as of 2019 was as follows: Byeonsan-myeon (4,785), Gyehwa-myeon (3,738), Dongjin-myeon (3,095), Haseo-myeon (2,884), Julpo-myeon (2,794), Baeksan-myeon (2,671), Boan-myeon (2,582), Jinseo-myeon (2,477), Haengan-myeon (2,461), Sangseo-myeon (2,340), Jusan-myeon (2,071), and Wido-myeon (1,214). Among the sub-counties, Wido consisted only of islands.
As of 2018, the numbers of births and deaths in Buan-gun were 215 and 710, respectively, suggesting that the county had already begun to suffer a natural decrease of population. The decline of population in the county has been affected by social factors as well, as shown by the fact that the number of population inflow (5,305) was significantly larger than that of outflow (6,485). For the latter, 62.54% (4,056) moved to other places within the same province, Jeollabuk-do, whereas 21.93% moved to the capital area including Gyeonggi-do (697), Seoul (556), and Incheon (169), 8.13%, to adjacent cities and provinces such as Gwangju (223), Chungcheongnam-do (169), and Jeollanam-do (135), and 5.58% (362) to more distant places.
As for the population moving into Buan, 5,305 as of 2018, 64.66% (3,430) were from Jeollabuk-do, followed by 21.34% from the capital area Gyeonggi-do (538), Seoul (459), and Incheon (135), 7.11% from nearby areas such as Jeollanam-do (131), Gwangju (129), and Chungcheongnam-do (117), and 6.90% (366) from more distant areas.
- Historical Background
- According to the Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms (Samgukyus, 1285), "the land of Baekje had been called Byeonhan because it originally had Byeonsan Mountain." On the other hand, in Newly Enlarged Geographical Survey of the Eastern State (Sinjeung Donggukyeoji Seungnam, 1530), the area was described as follows: "The mountain peaks are soaring as if piled layer by layer, and rocks and valleys are profound." According to The Book of Habitat Selection (Taengniji, 1751) written by Yi Jung-hwan (1690-1752), "there are numerous peaks and valleys here, and it is called Byeonsan." In the prophetic books of Joseon including Prophecies of Jeong Gam (Jeonggamnok), Byeonsan was listed as one of the Ten Victorious Lands (Sipseungji) together with Unbong and Mupung. No one knows exactly where the ten auspicious places were located, but the record that they were under Hoam Rock and east of Byeonsan suggests that they are somewhere around today's Udongni Gulbawi and Udong Reservoir in Boan-myeon of Buan. Byeonsan was known by several different nicknames, all referring to a mountain such as Neunggasan, Yeongjusan, and Bongnaesan, but oddly enough, there is no mountain peak named Byeonsan in Byeonsan Peninsula; the tallest mountain peak in the peninsula is Uisangbong (or Gisangbong, 508.6m).
In Byeonsan are a few prehistoric archaeological sites such as Shell Midden in Daehang-ri, Neolithic sites in Gyehwa-ri of Gyehwa-myeon and Sosan-ri of Jusan-myeon, Bronze Age dolmen sites in Seoksang-ri of Haseo-myeon and Guam-ri of Haseo-myeon, Suseongdang ritual site, Goryeo celadon kiln site around Yucheon-ri of Boan-myeon, and pottery kiln site of Yucheon-ri.
The Ugeumsanseong (or Ulgeumsanseong) Fortress in Gamgyo-ri of Sangseo-myeon is believed to have been Juryuseong Fortress, which had been the base of the Baekje Restoration Movement held in 663. This historic fortress with a 3㎞-long defensive wall located around Ugeum (or Ulgeum) Rock standing behind Gaeamsa Temple was used by a group of Baekje fighters led by Dochim and Boksin as the base for their fight to revive Baekje, which had collapsed with its capital, Sabiseong, taken by the Silla-Tang allied forces in 660. The Baekje Restoration Movement came to an end with the fall of Juryuseong Fortress to the Silla-Tang allied forces in 663.
War-related heritage sites in Buan include Hobeolchi where a local righteous army fought against a unit of Japanese soldiers who invaded the area in 1597 and Baeksanseong Fortress in Baeksan-myeon, which was used as an assembly area by the Donghak peasant fighters during the Donghak Peasant Revolution in 1894. Around Jeokbyeokgang Cliffs in Jungmak-dong is a ritual site called Suseongdang where the local fishing community had rituals praying to sea deities for the safety of the Chilsan Fishing Ground. On Bonghwabong Peak in Gyeokpo and Gyehwasan Mountain on Gyehwado Island are historic beacon stations.
In Byeonsan Peninsula are a few historic Buddhist temples, including two Baekje temples, Naesosa (Jinseo-myeon) and Gaeamsa (Sangseo-myeon) dating back to 633 and 634, respectively, and Wolmyeongam Hermitage (Byeonsan-myeon) of Unified Silla originally established in 691. Byeonsan Peninsula had dense pine woods that produced fine-quality timbers called "Byeonsan Timbers" (Byeonjae), which had been used for the construction of palace buildings and ships since the Goryeo period (918-1392). It was the timbers produced here that the Mongol forces after the subjugation of Goryeo used to build the battleships they would use to conquer Japan across the sea.
- Cultural Heritage
- In Buan-gun are a total of 391 sites and items in 61 types designated as cultural heritage protected by law, 336 in 25 types of which are listed as National Cultural Heritage with 55 in 36 types designated as Provincial Cultural Heritage. Of the first, nine are designated as Treasures: Bronze Temple of Naesosa Temple in Buan (Treasure No. 277), Transcription of Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White Paper (Treasure No. 278), Daeungbojeon Hall of Naesosa Temple in Buan (Treasure No. 291), Daeungjeon Hall of Gaeamsa Temple in Buan (Treasure No. 292), Portrait of Go Hui and Relics Related to the Buan Branch of the Jeju Go Clan (Treasure No. 739), Documents of the Buan Kim Clan (Treasure No. 900), Hanging Painting and the Sketch of Gaeamsa Temple (The Vulture Peak Assembly) (Treasure No. 1268), Hanging Painting and the Sketch of Gaeamsa Temple (The Vulture Peak Assembly) (Treasure No. 1269), and Red Certificate of Choe Gwang-ji (Treasure No. 2062).
The county also has five Historic- Sites-Kiln Site in Yucheon-ri (Historic Site No. 69), Kiln Site in Jinseo-ri, Buan (Historic Site No. 70), Dolmens in Guam-ri, Buan (Historic Site No. 103), Baeksanseong Fortress, Buan (Historic Site No. 409), and Archaeological Site in Jukmak-dong, Buan (Historic Site No. 541)-and two Scenic Sites, Chaeseokgang and Jeokbyeokgang Cliffed Coasts, Buan (Scenic Site No. 13), and Jiksopokpo Falls(Scenic Site No. 116).
The Natural Monuments in Buan are the Population of Horned Hollies in Docheong-ri, Buan (Natural Monument No. 122), Population of Machilus in Gyeokpo-ri, Buan (Natural Monument No. 123), Population of Box-leaved Hollies in Junggye-ri, Buan (Natural Monument No. 124), and Natural Habitat of White Forsythias, Buan(Natural Monument No. 370). Other state-level heritage items in Buan include three National Folk Cultural Heritage sites, Village Guardians within the West Gate of Buan (National Folk Cultural Heritage No. 18), Village Guardians within the East Gate of Buan (National Folk Cultural Heritage No. 19) and Gim Sang-man's Historic House, Buan (National Folk Cultural Heritage No. 150), one Registered Cultural Heritage site, Former Buan Financial Association (Registered Cultural Heritag No. 177), and one National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Wido Ttibaennori (Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 82-3).
In Buan-gun are 11 Provincial Tangible Cultural Heritages of Jeollabuk-do: Suseongdang Shrine (Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 58), Flagpole Supports in Seooe-ri (Tangible Cultural HeritageNo. 59), Wido Government Office (No. 101), Seated Stone Buddha in Cheongnim-ri (Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 123), Three-story Stone Pagoda of Naesosa Temple (Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 124), Seolseondang Hall and Dormitory of Naesosa Temple (Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 125), Bronze Bell of Gaeamsa Temple (Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 126), Buseoljeon (The Tale of Buseol) (Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 140), Stone standing Maitreya Buddha of Yonghwasa Temple (Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 171), Sixteen Arahat Statues of Eungjinjeon Hall in Gaeamsa Temple (Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 179), and Seated Wooden Amitabha Buddha Triad of Naesosa Temple (Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 255).
Other valuable cultural heritage preserved in Buan-gun include five Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritages-Buan Nongak (Farmers’ Performance of Buan) (Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 7-1), Jejojang(Bamboo Salt Making) Heo Jae-geun (Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 23), Sagijang, Lee Eun-gyu (Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 29), Daemokjang (Traditional Wooden Architecture) ,Kim Jeong-rak (Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 30), and Gasa[Kim Bong-gi](Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 34)-and six Provincial Folk Cultural Heritages: Boan Menhir (National Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 6), Ssangjoseokgan Dangsan Pillar (National Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 17), Village Guardians within the South Gate of Buan (National Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 18), Dolmosan Village Guardians (National Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 19), Stone Guardian Post of Jukrim-ri (National Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 20) and Stone Guardian Post of Wolcheon-ri (National Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 30).
Buan-gun has 12 Provincial Monuments: Ugeumsanseong Fortress (Jeollabuk-do Monument No. 20), Yu Hyeongwon Historic Site (Jeollabuk-do Monument No. 22), Memorial Site of the Scholar Ganjae (Jeollabuk-do Monument No. 23), Hobeolchi Battlefield during Jeongyujaeran (Jeollabuk-do Monument No. 30), Tile Kiln Site in Sasan-ri (Jeollabuk-do No. 40), Shell Midden in Daehang-ri (Monument No. 50), Tomb of YI Mae-changg (Jeollabuk-do No. 65), Silsangsa Temple Site, Buan (Jeollabuk-do No. 77), The Vicinity of Naesosa Temple (Jeollabuk-do Monument No. 78), Sin Seok-jeong (Jeollabuk-do Monument No. 84), Gaveyard of Jipo, Kim Ku (Jeollabuk-do Monument No. 127), and Jeombangsan Beacon (Jeollabuk-do Monument No. 140). Other listed provincial heritage items in Buan include two Provincial Cultural Materials, Daeseongjeon Shrine of Buanhyanggyo Local Confucian School (Jeollabuk-do Cultural Heritage Material No. 93) and Memorial Stone for Go Hong-geon (Jeollabuk-do Cultural Heritage Material No. 111).
Educational institutions in Buan-gun consist of 22 elementary schools, 13 middle schools (9 public and 4 private), 7 high schools (5 public and 2 private / 5 general and 2 vocational), and 3 libraries (Buan Municipal Library, Gyehwa Library, and Buan Education and Culture Center).
The transportation network linking Buan and the rest of Korea includes Seohaean Expressway (or National Expressway 15), which has two interchanges providing exits to and entries from Buan-Buan and Julpo-and three National Road: No. 23 running south to north to link Buan-eup with Julpo-myeon, National Road No. 30 linking Buan-eup with Julpo-myeon along the coasts of Byeonsan Peninsula, and National Road No. 77 linking Buan with Gunsan through Saemangeum Embarkment. The network also includes a few Local Roads, including local road No. 736 that crosses the inland of the peninsula east to west, local road No. 707 that links Buan-eup and Julpo-myeon north to south, and local road No. 705 linking Gyehwado Island with Sangseo-myeon.
In Buan are quite a few fishing ports, including Gyeokpo, Wido, and Sangwangdeungdo Ports managed by the central government and those operated under the management of the local authority, such as Gomso Port, Gung Port, Seongcheon Port, Songpo Port, and Sikdo Port. Some ports are operated by the local fishing community concerned, such as Docheong Port, Wangpo Port, Mohang Port, Daeri Port, and Beolgeum Port.
Buan has been home to a few historic figures who left distinctive marks on Korean history such as famous poet Sin Seok-jeong (1907-1974), Yi Mae-chang (1573-1610), a renowned female writer, Yu Hyeong-won (1622-1673), a renowned scholar who authored Collected Writings by Bangye (Bangyesurok), and Jeon U (1841-1922), a widely admired scholar who settled down on Gyehwado Island.
Buan has a number of irrigational facilities, including Buan Dam and reservoirs in Sasan, Cheongho, Yeongjeon, Nampo, Seokpo, Unho, Yuyu, and Gaeam as well as historic manmade lakes such as Gomaje, Cheongnimje, Udongje, and Jongam Bangjuk. It also has a hot spa called Byeonsan Oncheon located in Daehang-ri of Byeonsan-myeon. Buan's special products enjoying nationwide reputation include yellow corbina and anchovy of Wido Island, fish sauce (jeokgal), sun-dried salt and picklegrass of Gomso Port, mulberry leaves and berries of Yuyu Village, bamboo salt of Gaeamsa Temple, celadon ware of Yucheon-ri, Buan rice, Haepung Watermelon of Julpo, Noeul Potato of Buan, Haepung Onion of Buan, Silkworm of Byeonsan, and Mulberry-salted Mackerel.
The Jeollabuk-do West Coast National Geopark include six coastal attractions in Buan: Jeokbyeokgang and Chaeseokgang Cliffs, Solseom Island, Mohang Port, Jikso Falls, and Wido Island. The county of Buan is also the host of a few seasonal festivals such as Buan Masil Festival (May), Gomso Jeotgal Festival (October), Gaeamdong Cherry Blossom Festival (April), Yuyu Mulberry Festival (May), Byeonsan Badaro Festival (August), Sangsahwagil Moonlight Walk Festival in Goseumdochiseom and Wido Islands (August), Buan Gaeure Chrysanthemum Festival (October), and Seolsungeo Mullet Festival (December).
- See Also