[One-day tour of DMZ in South Korea] Historical attractions suitable for year-round travel
#Natural Landscape
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
💞Recommendation reason: Located in a restricted area for the general public, many attractions are not open to individuals for free visit; coupled with the recent tense world situation, these places that promote world peace are worth a visit to learn about their history
Transportation Tips - It is recommended to book a one-day tour or charter service online in advance. You will pass through a control point and soldiers will board the bus to verify your identity, so you must carry your passport with you.
🗓️Itinerary:
Imjingak Peace Park->Dora Observatory->Gloucester Hill Memorial Park->Gamak Hill Suspension Bridge->Third Tunnel
#Travel Tips Because it involves mountain climbing, please wear light clothes and comfortable shoes. Please pay attention to sun protection and replenish water in the strong sun. However, it is wet and cold in the third tunnel, so it is recommended to bring a jacket; and because of the high physical exertion, it is recommended to have enough rest a day earlier
Food and restaurants - Most of the attractions have cafes, food courts, and restaurants, so you don't have to worry about being hungry due to the long trip. However, I still brought my own rice rolls to replenish my energy that day.
🏖️Environment/Facilities: Local attractions -
Dora Observatory is located at the northernmost end of the Military Demarcation Line on the western front of South Korea. You can use a telescope to see Kaesong City, Songak Mountain, Kim Il-sung's bronze statue, etc. across the sea, and even see local residents and cattle in North Korea's propaganda village carrying out agricultural activities.
The Imjingak Peace Park has preserved intact the Imjingang River Railway Bridge that was blown up in the early days of the Korean War, the bridge where the Korean and UN forces returned to freedom after the war, and the bombed steam locomotive at Jangtan Station on the Gyeongui Line. There are many ribbons on the Liberty Bridge that say "peaceful reunification"
Gloucester Hill Memorial Park features a large sculpture of a Gloucester beret, a life-size group of Gloucester soldiers patrolling the Imjin River, and a memorial wall. Because it was the seventh month of the lunar calendar, it looked a bit chilly inside so I didn't go too far in. After a small bridge, there was a memorial garden.
#Photography Check-in Gamaksan Suspension Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in South Korea, with a total length of 180 meters. The whole round trip climb takes about 25 minutes. There are several water holes at the starting point for drinking and filling water, so don't worry. The suspension bridge is very stable, and only fluctuates greatly when there are many people.
The third tunnel is a North Korean invasion tunnel discovered in 1978, with a total length of 1,635 meters. Before entering the tunnel, you must use the locker. You are not allowed to bring any communication and camera equipment or bags. It is recommended to wear a helmet. In addition to getting lower and lower as you walk, water will drip. It will be more difficult for tall people to walk for a while.
At the end of the tunnel, there are several heavy doors and small windows that let you see the grass on the North Korean side. I didn't stop to rest that day, and it took me about 40 minutes to go back and forth. There are several water holes after the initial downhill walk, so don't worry.
There are DMZ video museum, symbolic landscape, souvenir shop etc. outside the tunnel for tourists to visit. The local bean cultivation is quite famous, so I bought chocolate beans and bean paste cakes as souvenirs. Then I heard that there is a #special food bean ice cream, which tastes like peanut butter. I don’t like peanuts, so I didn’t try it.
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