September, Full Opening of the 'DMZ Peace Road Theme Route'
'Pyeonghwa Nuri-gil' Connecting Gimpo~Paju~Goyang~Yeoncheon
DMZ Course Linking Cheorwon Plain, Hantan River, and Peace Observatory
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The perfect season has arrived to embark on a clean DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) trip.
The DMZ, the world's only divided area, offers various charms and pleasures. You can walk along the Peace Nuri Trail while enjoying the beautiful scenery in the border area where cool winds blow, and also encounter historical sites.
The DMZ area is home to diverse species such as the grey heron, black-faced spoonbill, white-tailed eagle, bean goose, hooded crane, leopard cat, and goral. It is a place that embodies the hope for Korean reunification and symbolizes peace in Northeast Asia and beyond worldwide.
The 'DMZ Peace Road Theme Route' embraces 10 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, and Incheon City, stretching from Ganghwa in the West Sea, through Paju and Cheorwon, to Goseong in the East Sea.
The well-preserved ecological environment of the civilian control zone within the DMZ, the diverse flora and fauna living there, the beautiful landscapes, and historical sites all convey the value of the DMZ.
■ South Korea's Representative Security DMZ
From the Imjingak tourist site in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, you can enter inside the Civilian Control Line using the DMZ Peace Tourism and visit places like the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and Unification Village. Across the Imjin River, there is an observatory and Camp Greaves, where U.S. forces were stationed.
The total length of the Third Tunnel is 1,635 meters, but only 265 meters are open to tourists for safety reasons. Visitors can descend to the tunnel by monorail or on foot and walk through it.
From Dora Observatory, you can see the DMZ, Kaesong Industrial Complex, Kaesong city area, as well as North Korea's Gijeong-dong village and Songaksan Mountain. Imjingak Peace Nuri Park features a large grassy hill, an outdoor water stage, and the 'Hill of Wind' with over 3,000 pinwheels.
Majang Lake in Gwangtan-myeon has a 220-meter suspension bridge harmonizing with the beautiful natural scenery. Surrounded by mountains and the lake, the water's color and sunset blend with the nearby mountains.
Near Majang Lake, there are also Yongmiri Rock-carved Buddha, Bogwangsa Temple, Byeokchoji Arboretum, and Gongneung Tourist Site, making it a popular weekend outing spot for families and couples.
The Peace Nuri Trail is South Korea's northernmost walking course connecting the DMZ border areas. It stretches 189 km from Gimpo through Paju, Goyang, and Yeoncheon.
Paju Yulgok Arboretum covers 34.15 hectares of city-owned land and features 21 themed botanical gardens that utilize the natural terrain.
Over 1,300 species of plants grow there, including Korean native species like the Korean spice viburnum and Heuri. At the arboretum's summit, there is a healing forest of Korean chrysanthemum, an observatory with views of the Imjin River area, and resting spaces for forest recreation.
The area around 'Libigyo,' the only bridge built by U.S. forces during the Korean War, is being transformed into a historical and cultural park including a plaza, walking paths, and a military barracks experience center.
From September 13 through December, 11 'DMZ Peace Road Theme Routes' established in 10 cities and counties along the DMZ border area (Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje, Goseong, Ganghwa, Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, Yeoncheon) will be fully opened.
The 'Peace Road' is a walking trail created to transform the DMZ and border areas, scarred by war and division, into spaces of peace and coexistence.
By walking the 'Theme Routes' and the 'Crossing Route' (scheduled to open in 2023), visitors can experience the DMZ's ecological, cultural, and historical resources.
The DMZ Peace Road Theme Route tour program operates five days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) with two sessions per day, lasting about 2 hours and 40 minutes, accompanied by professional guides.
The 'Theme Routes' can be accessed on foot and by vehicle after reservation for each border area (targeting the 10 local governments). The 'Crossing Route' is a free-use walking trail spanning 524 km from Ganghwa in Incheon to Goseong in Gangwon Province.
Among these, the Yeoncheon County section opening on the 13th includes a course from Jangnam-myeon Gorang Port Historical Park to the infiltration route of the January 21 armed guerrillas (Kim Shin-jo incident), a 1.8 km stretch along the barbed wire fence, and a view of the Goguryeo Horogoru Fortress.
Yeoncheon Godaesan Camping Resort, equipped with camping sites and condos, is also available. Spanning over 288,000 square meters, it offers spacious and comfortable camping spaces including condos, auto camping, glamping, and caravans.
■ The 'Colorful' DMZ
In Cheorwon County, Gangwon Province, a 24-hectare area around the former military training site of Goseokjeong has been planted with 18 types of flowers including cockscomb, globe amaranth, zinnia, and cosmos to create a flower garden.
On the opening day, the 'DMZ Peace Flower Festival' will be held featuring busking, fireworks, and a Chuseok contest among various cultural performances. Rest areas, a food art gallery, and a 1.2 km route operated by a tin can train within the flower garden attract many visitors.
The Soyisan Monorail is a tourist facility with four 8-seat vehicles running back and forth over a 1.8 km section for about 30 minutes.
Following the approximately 200-meter barrier-free deck path from the upper station to Soyisan Observatory, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Cheorwon Plain and the DMZ, making it a new tourist attraction.
The 'Jeep Wild Trail' Season 2, an off-road course developed to offer thrilling experiences exclusively for jeep tourists, will be held from October 16 to 18 this year in the Cheorwon area.
There are four off-road courses in Cheorwon: ① the DMZ course connecting the vast Cheorwon Plain, Hantan River, and Peace Observatory; ② the Myeongseongsan course, a rugged valley trail representing Cheorwon; ③ the hidden off-road course of Bokjusan Mountain, boasting an elevation of 933 meters; ④ and the Daedeukbong course, opened to civilians for the first time.
Autumn arrives earliest in Hwacheon at Haesanryeong and Bisugumi valleys. Driving along Provincial Road 460 from Hwacheon-eup to the Peace Dam, you can see the colorful autumn foliage coloring the ninety-nine bends of Haesanryeong.
The Yanggu National Central Park Observatory is an attractive place where you can observe the stars of the DMZ in their entirety.
It operates a campsite where you can fall asleep under the central nation's night sky and beautiful stars. Nearby are the Park Soo-keun Art Museum and the DMZ Native Plant Garden, making it the best base camp for DMZ travel.
Additionally, heading north along the East Sea to the civilian control line, you will find Myeongpa Beach where you can enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.
In autumn, when the change of seasons is clearly felt, embark on a DMZ trip for peace of mind and body.
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