DMZ and Mimesis Art Museum Tour

Imjingak park is in a special area between North Korea and South Korea. It's for remembering the 10 million South Koreans who couldn't be with their families when the two countries were split. The park has statues and other things to see. It's next to the Imjin River, and it's as far north as South Koreans can go without restrictions. There's a tall building with three floors where you can see the river and even look into North Korea. The Freedom Bridge used to be a train bridge where soldiers were traded between North and South Korea. Mangbaedan Alter is a place where people from the North visit to remember their families. They bow towards their hometowns on special days. The park also has a wall with ribbons, shops where you can buy souvenirs, and a restaurant.

The Third Tunnel is one of four tunnels found in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North Korea and South Korea. It's more than 70 meters underground and 265 meters long. Many people visit it when they tour the DMZ. North Korea made this tunnel in the 1970s, but they denied it existed when South Korea found out. They first said it was a coal mine, but later it was revealed they built it to attack Seoul without warning. South Korea took control of the tunnel and blocked it off with concrete barriers. Nowadays, the Third Tunnel is a place tourists can visit. There's even a gift shop nearby. But it's still guarded, and you can't take photos inside. The tunnel is dark, narrow, and steep to walk through.

Located on top of Mt. Dora on the South Korean side of the 38th parallel, the Dora Observatory is as close to North Korea as you can get from the south. It's a popular stop on tours of the Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Here, you can use powerful binoculars to see parts of North Korea, such as the Gijeong-dong "propaganda village" and the city of Gaesong.

It all began with 80 households in 1973 when it was established as a propaganda village. Today, there are 130 households with 480 residents. This village is located just 12 kilometers away from 개성 and is renowned for its Ginseng, yellow beans, and rice. Every year, they host a yellow bean festival, featuring their specialty, 'yellow bean ice cream.'

Enjoy the spicy taste of Korean pork bulgogi! It's made with a sauce that has a Korean chili paste called gochujang, along with lots of fresh garlic and ginger. You can cook it quickly in a stir-fry or on the grill outside. It's simple to make and packs a flavorful punch that you won't forget!

This is the very first of its kind. The library stays open all day and all night, and it's filled with over 200,000 books donated by generous people. You'll find all sorts of books here, from literature to science, arts, and humanities, catering to everyone from kids to adults.

In the Paju Book Complex, there's a museum called the 'Mimesis Art Museum' designed by the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza. The Mimesis Art Museum is one of the few buildings in Korea that many people confidently say is their favorite. It's a special building that's worth exploring more. The name 'Mimesis' comes from the idea of imitating the appearance of a cat. When people see this museum, they're drawn in by its beautiful lines and design. We are going to stop by at a nearby coffee shop but will not be entering the museum as it is expensive.