Cheorwon

Cheorwon (철원) is a district in Gangwon in South Korea.

Understand

Location of Cheorwon in South Korea

Cheorwon lies against the DMZ and the North Korean border, so there are many South Korean troops there.

Get in

By bus

Most people arrive in Cheorwon at the Wasu-ri Bus Terminal, which has connections to Seoul, Incheon, Chuncheon and other Korean cities.

• 1 Wasu-ri Bus Terminal, Cheorwon Seo-myeon Wasu-road 173th-road 21 (강원도 철원군 서면 와수로173번길 21). 
• 2 Dongsong Bus Terminal, Cheorwon Dongsong-eup Yipyenong-ri 681-37 (강원도 철원군 동성읍 이평리 681-37), ☏ +82 33-455-1727. (updated Sep 2019)

There are two ways to get into Cheorwon from Seoul by bus:

• Bus number 3002 of Gyeonggi Express goes to Cheorwon via Uijeongbu, Pocheon and Sincheorwon, so it takes more time than the other.
• A bus of Gangwon Express goes directly to Cheorwon, takes one hour and a half and costs ₩10,900. East-Seoul Bus Terminal operates this bus at 10-20 minute intervals from 06:00-23:20.

See

• Saemtong Migratory Bird's Sanctuary. Saemtong is a 5,000-square-meter natural pond that never freezes. The surrounding area in a 2-kilometer radius is a haven for migratory birds from November through March. Of the 1,300 white-napped cranes around the world, some 800 of them can be spotted in Cheorwon during this period. A commemorative picture of the cranes in this area was presented to Queen Elizabeth. 
• 1 Goseokjeong Pavilion. This two-story tower was established under King Jinpyeong of the Silla Kingdom. Goseokjeong Pavilion was built above a valley, surrounded by cliffs and clear, blue waters. The battlefield conservation office here is the starting point for DMZ tours.  
• Woljeong-ri Station. This was a through-station before the division of the two Koreas, but now is the northernmost terminal station near the southern boundary of the DMZ. A large sign says The train wants to run, symbolizing the tragedy of national division. 
• The Second Underground Tunnel. Discovered on March 19, 1975, the Second Underground Tunnel is wide enough to pass 30,000 soldiers an hour and even large armored vehicles. The tunnel has been developed into a tourist site so that visitors can tour the tunnel. 
• The Iron Triangle Zone (Cheorui Samgakji). This observatory has the capacity for 300 people at once. Through eight sets of high-quality binoculars visitors can view the DMZ, the Pyeonggang highlands and propaganda village (a village built only to brag that North Korea is enjoying high living standards), a Kim Il Sung native home, and "Bloody Ridge" in North Korea. 

Labor Party Building

• Labor Party Building. Built in 1946 under fund-raising and labor forced by the North Korean government, the shelled-out carcass of a building is in Soviet-type architecture with concrete building. For security reasons, only devoted communist partisans were allowed to work within the building. 
• Seungilgyo Bridge. A bridge that North and South Korea built together - the North completed the basic construction and two piers while the remaining parts were completely by the South. The name of the bridge is Seungilgyo after 'Seung' of the late President Rhee Seung Man, and 'Il' of President Kim Il Sung so as to commemorate the ironic construction process. 

Do

• Cheorwon Hantangang River Rafting. Hantangang River, the Grand Canyon of Korea, takes pride in the mysterious cliffs and huge valleys and one-after-the-other scenic stretches that appear to be blessed by the heavens. The rafting course is 15 km long, divided according to the level of difficulty from beginner to advance. 
• Cheorwon Hot Spring. Cheorwon Hot Spring is located at Goseokjeong Pavilion. The hot spring is a germanium-content volcanic spa with natural waters springing from 850 m deep. Known to be exceptionally effective for skin care for women, Cheorwon Hot Spring has sauna facilities and swimming pools. Visitors can enjoy the first-class pure natural waters while gazing at the beautiful vista of Hantangang River. 

Sleep

• Chulwon Spa Tourist Hotel, ☏ +82 33-455-1234. First Class, 84 rooms