Changnyeong means "prosperous peace", from the Sino-Korean roots chang and nyeong.
History
Yeongsan territory was established in 1631. In 1637, Changnyeong territory joined Yeongsan territory. On May 24, 1895, the first day of fifth lunar month, Changnyeong and Yeongsan were incorporated under Daegu as separate counties. On August 4, 1896, Changnyeong and Yeongsan county were incorporated into South Gyeongsang province. On April 1, 1914, Yeongsan County and Changnyeong county were merged into 15 townships - Eubnae, Goam, Seonsan, Daehap, Ibang, Yueo, Daeji, Changnak, Namgok, Jangma, Bugok, Yeongsan, Gilgok, Docheon, Gyeseong. In 1918, Eupnae was renamed as Changnyeong. On April 1, 1936, Namgok was renamed as Namji. On July 1, 1955, Changnak township is merged with Changnyeong township.. On January 1, 1960, Changnyeong township became Changnyeong town. On January 1, 1963, Namji township became Namji town. In 1971, The local town hall of Namji was established.
Administrative divisions
Changnyeong is made up of two towns, 12 townships 139 villages over an area of 532.72㎢. Of the 28,466 households and 61,789 people living in Changnyeong county in 2011 27.1% were living in Changnyeong town, 18.4% living in Namji town.
Upo wetland in Changnyeong county is the largest wetlands in all of Korea. These wetlands are estimated to be created about 140 million years ago. It spreads out over Changnyeong county's Yueo, Ibang, Daehap, Daeji and other townships, covering over 2,310,000㎡, with a circumference area of 7.5 km. There are over 340 species of endangered plants such as the Euryale ferox, as well as 62 wild birds, and 28 fish located within the swamp. Upo wetland was designated as a natural monument during the time of Japanese occupation in 1933. As soon as the Cultural Properties Protection Law was enacted on December 3, 1962, the wetland was designated as Cultural property 15 under the name of Changnyeong Swan habitat. However, on July 19, 1973 it was found that migratory bird numbers had decreased and therefore its status as a natural monument was cancelled. After another evaluation done on January 13, 2001 in order to determine the geographical scenic value of the biology living there, it was determined that the wetlands be considered natural preserve area number 524.
Bugok Hot Springs
In 1973 a hot springs resort was developed in Keomun village in the Bugok township. Bugok In that year, after the natural hot springs was discovered under scenic Deokam Mountain. The 48 geothermal wells that were discovered produce in one day an abundance of over 3,000 tons of hot springs well water. In 1977년 Bugok was determined to be a national tourist attraction with high quality hotels, recreational facilities, parks and forestation. One of the most famous hotel and spa is Bugok Hawaii, a resort style facility with a water and amusement park as well as a large hotel.
