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Tapjaesan Mountain Observatory on Jebudo Island

OVERVIEW Tapjaesan Mountain means a lot to the residents of Jebudo Island. Located on the northern part of the island, the mountain commands a view of the entire island from its peak at 66.7m above sea level. You can see not only Jebudo Island but also Daebudo Island across the sea, including the beautiful Jeongokhang Port and Tandohang Port on the West Sea and the Gungpyeonghang Port in the distance from the top of Tapjaesan Mountain. The windmills installed from Nueseom Island to Tandohang Port north of Jebudo Island will catch your eye, too. You will also be able to see the long road connecting Jebudo Island with the mainland at a glance. HIGHTLIGHT The road leading to the observatory is “Swallow Tail Road,” one of the attractions on Jebudo Island. The road was selected as “Road of the Month” by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization for two consecutive years in 2017 and 2018 for it beautiful landscape. The road starts from the Lighthouse Parking Lot and returns to it via Seashore Deck Trail, Jebudo Beach, and Tapjaesan Mountain Forest Trail. The road is 2km long. You can finish walking the trails within an hour, but you will become unaware of the passage of time as you drop by the photo zones scattered here and there beside the trail, look at beautiful sculptures, and take a rest on the SEAt, which boasts of unique individuality. Don’t be disappointed if the weather is not clear on the day. The scenery of Jebudo Island and the nearby sea surrounded by sea fog will look rather fantastic from the observatory. A photo with a blurred boundary between the sky and the sea and the mud flat on a cloudy day will leave you feeling very emotional.

LocationHwaseong

TypeHeritage
Jebudo SEAt

OVERVIEW Jebudo Island is called Miracle Island or Periodic Island. The nickname Miracle Island came from the miracle in the Red Sea wherein Moses escaped from Egypt by parting the Red Sea according to the Old Testament. The road from the mainland to Jebudo Island is revealed at low tide like the miracle of Moses. The island got its nickname Periodic Island for the same reason. It means that Jebudo Island becomes an island periodically only at high tide since it is connected with the mainland during low tide. since it is connected with the mainland during low tide. HIGHTLIGHT SEAt on Jebudo Island is a place where you can see the time and the sea. There are plenty of SEAts located at the entrance and here and there in the middle of the Coastal Trail, which was constructed between Tapjaesan Mountain and the shore line. SEAt is a bench made with unique designs such as Shade Bench, Separate Bench, Standing Bench, Clam Bench, and Nest Bench. Each of them is well-harmonized with the natural landscape to have a unique individual look. The time you spend with your beloved family or boyfriend or girlfriend lying on the SEAt under the sun with a view of the sea will certainly relax your weary mind with its meditation effect. The excellent design of the SEAt received an award in Communication Design in Germany’s “2017 Red Dot Design Award,” one of the best design awards in the world. Today, SEAt has become a specialty of Jebudo Island thanks to the people who take photos with SEAt in the background and post them on SNS.

LocationHwaseong

TypeHeritage
Coastal Trail on Jebudo Island

OVERVIEW There is an interesting joke related to Jebudo Island -- young lovers can make love easily on Jebudo Island. They come to the island at low tide and play on the beach, unaware of the passage of time. Then a tide comes in, and the way out is closed. They have no choice but to spend the night on the island together, and their love grows naturally. The beach is long enough, and the sunset behind it is beautiful enough for the lovers to forget about the time. HIGHTLIGHT The people of Jebudo Island built an embankment behind the sandy beach and made a wood deck trail along the shore line for the people who visit Jebudo Island wearing clothes that are not appropriate for walking on the beach. Many people visit Jebudo Island not only in summer but also in spring, fall, and winter. Walking along the long Coastal Trail constructed along “Swallow Tail Road” with Tapjaesan Mountain on one side, you will feel refreshed by the view of the vast West Sea. A red lighthouse, the landmark of Jebudo Island, is standing at the end of the Coastal Trail to guide visitors. The Coastal Trail on Jebudo Island was not made simply for walking. It was designed to provide a place where people can enjoy the sea breeze, sunlight, and rest with an unobstructed view of the sea. A place adjacent to the sea can relax and refresh our body and mind since it contains lots of anion, like the forest used for forest bathing. While walking in nature, you can enjoy a nap or the freshness of the sea on one of the SEAts installed here and there beside the road. Be careful of ultraviolet rays, however.

LocationHwaseong

TypeHeritage
Jebudo ARTPARK

OVERVIEW Jebudo Island is one of the few islands with growing households and population. Located near the capital area, the island is visited by many people, and accommodations and restaurants have sprouted here and there. Naturally, cultural desire has increased, and places of culture and art have been constructed here and there on Jebudo Island. In fact, even a chair on the street and a symbol hung on the guard rail are made most carefully based on artistic value and creativity. More people are coming to this island to take photos of the unique artistic sculptures of Jebudo Island and post them on SNS. You can see culture and art of high standard on Jebudo Island in ARTPARK. HIGHTLIGHT With the exhibition space and observation space built in 6 containers, ARTPARK received an award in Communication Design in Germany’s “2017 Red Dot Design Award,” a world-class design award, for its unique design and experimental spirit. The two containers on the first floor are used for exhibition, which gives cultural stimulation to travelers. The containers on the second floor are used for observation of the sea. The observation space is very popular as people can appreciate the sea in a comfortable place despite the unpredictable weather of the island. The space where you can enjoy coffee while savoring the famous sunset of Jebudo Island is art and culture in itself.

LocationHwaseong

TypeHeritage
Jebudo Water walk

OVERVIEW The West Coast of Korea has a large tidal range wherein the sea water comes in and goes out by 100m~500m. For that reason, there are many islands that you can enter on foot from the mainland at low tide. In particular, Jebudo Island is one of the few islands that you can enter via car. It’s amazing to see the view of an array of cars traveling between the sea water at low tide. The place that commands the best view of this wonderful scenery is the Water walk. HIGHTLIGHT The Water walk is located at the entrance of the sea route. From the end of the wooden stairs of the Water walk, you can see the two faces of Jebudo Island stretched before your eyes like a panorama. You can feel the thrill of walking on the sea at high tide and the wonder of the vast mud flat at low tide. In addition, you can appreciate the beautiful sunset of Jebudo Island from the Water walk. You will be reminded of the famous scene in the movie “Titanic” while facing the roll of the waves lit up with the glow of the setting sun. The Water walk received the main award in Communication Design in Germany’s “2018 Red Dot Design Award,” recognized as one of the three major global design awards.

LocationHwaseong

TypeHeritage
Jebudo Island

OVERVIEW The sea around Jebudo Island takes on various forms from hour to hour, and the residents of Jebudo Island live their lives according to the ceaseless coming and going of the tide. When the tide goes out, they catch Manila clams, crabs, etc. in the vast mud flat. They return when the tide comes in. Since the island is under the influence of frequently alternating tides, you may not be able to enter the island -- which is right under your nose -- when the path is closed. Before you depart, visit the Website of Hwaseong Urban Corporation (www.hsuco.or.kr) and check the tide time. HIGHTLIGHT As a famous tourist attraction with various charms, Jebudo Island was named one of the “TOP 100 2019~2020 Best Tourist Attractions in Korea” by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in December 2018. There is a 2-kilometer long fine sandy beach on the small island. While most of the beaches on the western coast of Korea are shaped like a bow, the beach on Jebudo Island is straight. Since ancient times, many people have visited Jebudo Island to enjoy sea bathing and the view of the sea on the fine sandy beach with moderate width. The access road to the island is also a famous driving course. You may go either way along the wood deck beside the sandy beach. To the south is Maebawi (meaning Hawk Rock), which was named as such because of the many nests of hawks that used to be there. To the north is a red lighthouse. While walking along the wood deck, you can enjoy the scenery and dishes in nearby restaurants, cafes, and “ARTPARK,” a popular spot on SNS. The best charm of Jebudo Island is the Coastal Trail(Haeansanchaek-ro). You can get natural therapy while walking along the trail located between Tapjaesan Mountain and the West Sea. You can take a rest on one of the SEAts positioned here and there in the trail while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

LocationHwaseong

TypeHeritage
Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Park

OVERVIEW Imjingak has been the symbol of the cold war and national division for a long time. The people who came from North Korea have had a memorial service together every New Year’s Day and Chuseok at Imjingak Mangbaedan and shed tears of longing for their families and relatives in North Korea. Imjingak has also been a place where many people witnessed the reality of the division of North and South Korea and wished for national reunification. As the place that had been a site of bitter grief, Imjingak was changed into a place of hope by the exchange between North and South Korea. In 2005 when the World Peace Festival was held, Pyeonghwa Nuri Park was constructed beside Imjingak with the hope, will, and dream for national reunification. HIGHTLIGHT Pyeonghwa Nuri Park is a place for relaxation filled with wide lawn hill and pond and sculptures produced with the motive of national reunification. It is also a composite culture and arts space where various performances and exhibitions are held and movies are shown in the exhibition hall and theater. Many photographers come to the place to take pictures of the wide grass and unique sculptures. In Korean, Pyeonghwa means peace, and Nuri means the world. Thus, the name Pyeonghwa Nuri represents the wish of the Korean people for a peaceful world. Like its name, the park reminds of one of the preciousness of peace from the image of the leisurely walking families and lovers even in the border area confronted by North and South Korea. With the long-time division of the nation, more and more people accept the situation of the confrontation of North and South Korea naturally and think that national reunification is a thing in the distant future. Pyeonghwa Nuri Park plays the role of telling such people the mandate and expectation for national reunification. The park will remain an important and famous place for inter-Korean exchanges and national reunification.

LocationPaju

TypeHeritage
Imjingak Steam Locomotive at Jangdan Station

OVERVIEW The expression of “The train wants to run” represents Koreans’ burning desire for national reunification. Many Koreans dream of traveling to Europe by train starting from Busan, at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula, and passing Seoul, Pyeongyang, and Sinuiju and crossing the continent. The train mentioned here is symbolized by the steam locomotive that had been left at Jangdan Station. Jangdan Station is located in the southern region of the DMZ. During the Korean War, Gyeongui Line was an important supply route for the transportation of military supplies. Around the final stage of the war, North and South Korea had fierce battles confronting each other on the opposite sides of Jangdan Station. The station became the region of South Korea in the DMZ pursuant to the ceasefire agreement that drew the military demarcation line, but it has been abandoned so far with civilians prohibited from approaching the region. HIGHTLIGHT In 2000, an atmosphere of reconciliation was formed by the dialogue and cooperation for exchange between North and South Korea, realized after the historic inter-Korean summit of President Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-il, Chairman of the National Defense Commission of North Korea. While the discussion over the restoration of Gyeongui Line was underway in 2007, the Korean government moved the funnel of the steam locomotive -- which had been abandoned for decades 50m south of Jangdan Station -- to Imjingak. Though the red rust on the funnel of the steam locomotive was removed, more than one thousand bullet holes remain. The people who visit Imjingak are reminded of the horrible scene of the war by the bullet marks remaining on the steam locomotive. At the same time, they wish for the peaceful reunification of the nation and dream of the day when they can travel to Europe across the continent onboard a train on the Gyeongui Line.

LocationPaju

TypeHeritage
Imjingak Freedom Bridge

OVERVIEW As a railroad connecting Seoul with Sinuiju, Gyeongui Line crossed Dokgae Bridge over Imjingang River in Munsan, Paju and passed Gaeseong in North Korea. During the Korean War, the Dokgae railroad bridge was destroyed by bombing. As a result, Gyeongui Line was completely cut off physically. At that time, Gyeongui Line was a double track line, and so was Deokgae Bridge. While the northbound bridge is left broken, the southbound bridge was repaired after the war for use as a footbridge. Since then, the footbridge has been used by the delegation of South Korea who participated in inter-Korean exchange after the 7.4 North-South Joint Statement in 1972. HIGHTLIGHT “Freedom Bridge” was named as such because the POWs of Korean and UN soldiers crossed the bridge after the Korean War by the repatriation of prisoners of war. The destroyed northbound bridge has been called Dokgae Bridge and used as a place of a lesson reminding one of the scars of war. Expectations for the restoration of the Gyeongui Line grew as the atmosphere of reconciliation between North and South Korea was formed by the inter-Korean summit in 2000. The Korean government built the new Dorasan Station in the restricted area for civilians and extended the operation of Gyeongui Line to Dorasan Station from the previous final destination of Munsan. The Freedom Bridge disappeared with the construction of Tongil Bridge. The Freedom Bridge you can now see from Imjingak is the bridge restored by the City of Paju. Reunification is like destiny to Koreans who had lived in the same country for thousands of years. The reason for the restoration of Freedom Bridge is that we should not forget about reunification. The people who have visited Imjingak looked back on the reality of national division and resolved to realize peaceful reunification crossing Freedom Bridge.

LocationPaju

TypeHeritage
Imjingak Art Space BEAT 131

OVERVIEW A military underground bunker constructed during the Korean War has been changed into a unique exhibition space. You can feel the atmosphere of a military facility from the entrance. The shape of an anti-tank mine put on the stairs on the way down to the basement will make you feel frightened and nervous instantly. Walking down the stairway, you will see the situation room of the command during wartime. Military supplies used during the Korean War including firearm, canteen, helmet, and radio are on display. A helmet with many bullet holes will show you the bitterness of war. HIGHTLIGHT At another space in Art Space BEAT 131, you can hear stories of Imjingak Pavilion, Freedom Bridge, and Gyeongui Line Railroad as well as the funnel of the last steam locomotive, etc. through interactive media art. An interview with the locomotive engineer who operated the steam locomotive at Jangdan Station for the last time tells you about the urgent situation in a fresh voice. The device, which can transform a written message into Morse codes, is popular with not only children but also adults. It is possible to see the DMZ and a village in North Korea on the screen in real time. Since the space is not very wide, the underground bunker can accommodate only 20 visitors at a time.

LocationPaju

TypeHeritage
Imjingak Dokgae Bridge

OVERVIEW The northbound line of the railroad bridge of Gyeongui Line over Imjingang River has been left broken for nearly 70 years. The bridge used to connect Uncheon-ri, Munsan-eup and Nosong-ri, Jangdan-myeon of Paju but was destroyed by bombing during the Korean War. The bridge had been named after a village in Nosang-ri. Gyeongui Line Railroad started from Seoul and arrived at the final destination of Sinuiju adjacent to China. The railroad line was disconnected after the Korean War; as a result, South Korea lost the way to the continent, and North Korea lost the way to the Pacific. HIGHTLIGHT Left abandoned for decades over the lazy Imjingang River, Dokgae Bridge clearly shows the tragic division of the country. In this regard, Dokgae Bridge has been used as a place for national security education to remember the scars of war and resolve not to repeat the painful history. With the atmosphere of reconciliation and exchange created by the inter-Korean summit in 2000, however, a change occurred at Dokgae Bridge. A new railroad bridge of Gyeongui Line was constructed over Imjingang River. The reason why the restoration of Gyeongui Line is mentioned first whenever a mood of reconciliation between North and South Korea is fostered is that it has symbolic meaning for the facilitation of peaceful reunification of the nation through the restoration of roads in addition to its economic effect. It is the course of nature that a disconnected road is connected again. Even if trains begin to run again on the new bridge, Dokgae Bridge will last long as a symbol reminding us of the painful memory of war.

LocationPaju

TypeHeritage

한국어	Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
English	日本語
中文 (简体)	中文 (繁体)

Tapjaesan Mountain Observatory on Jebudo Island

Jebudo SEAt

Coastal Trail on Jebudo Island

Jebudo ARTPARK

Jebudo Water walk

Jebudo Island

Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Park

Imjingak Steam Locomotive at Jangdan Station

Imjingak Freedom Bridge

Imjingak Art Space BEAT 131

Imjingak Dokgae Bridge