[One Day Walk] Feeling the Spirit of Hwang Hee Jeongseung and Yulgok Yi Yi on the 'Paju 7 Course'

Bangujeong~Yulgok Wetland Park, 13km Section
Estimated Duration Approximately 4 Hours 20 Minutes

The Gyeonggi Dullegil 'Paju Course 7' is a 13 km section that stretches from Imjingang Bangujeong to Yulgok Wetland Park. The estimated time required is about 4 hours and 20 minutes, and the difficulty level is 'very easy.'

The Paju Course 7 starts at Imjingang Bangujeong. Bangujeong, a representative cultural heritage of Paju, is a pavilion where Hwang Hui, a prime minister, retired from office in his later years and spent time in his hometown.

The starting stamp depicts 'Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri.' It is a place symbolizing the tragic reality of Korea's division and is the northern boundary line where civilian access is restricted. It is a place frequently visited by displaced persons and offers views of the Imjin River and the Freedom Bridge area.

Walking about 3 km alongside Jayuro Road, you will arrive at Imjingang Station on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line. Beyond Imjingang Station, at the end of the fields stretching about 4 to 5 ri, there is Jangsan Observatory. The observatory is about 300 m away from the Dullegil route, but it is recommended to take a short detour. From the observatory, you can see the Imjin River, Jindong-myeon across the river, the panorama of Chopyeongdo Island, and the northern mountain ranges. On clear days, it is known that you can even see as far as Kaesong. Chopyeongdo Island is entirely located north of the Civilian Control Line, and after the Korean War, it became uninhabited, leaving only dense vegetation.

Passing Imjin Village, you will come across Hwaseokjeong, which played a significant role as a large torch during the Imjin War. It is a pavilion located on a cliff by the Imjin River in Yulgok-ri. According to legend, during the Imjin War, King Seonjo lit this pavilion on fire to illuminate the river while fleeing to Uiju at midnight. It was also a place where Yulgok Yi I spent his later years discussing poetry and scholarship with his disciples after retiring from office. Hwaseokjeong can also be seen on the Course 7 arrival stamp.

Descending from Hwaseokjeong, you will reach the destination, Yulgok Wetland Park. Yulgok Wetland Park is a disaster prevention facility (retention basin) developed together with local residents. It is famous for its fields of blooming canola flowers in spring and cosmos flowers in autumn.