DAY 3
The 3rd day schedule covered two major destinations - The Four Rivers Restoration Project or what they call as Ipobo Weir in Hangang River as well as an Eco-tour at Dumulmeori (Two Water Area) Bicycle Riding.
It was a 3-hour journey from Gyeongju to Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do. Gyeonggi-do (Korean pronunciation: [kjʌŋ.ɡi.do]) is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special citysince 1946.
We first had a Buckwheat Noodles Lunch or what they call Makguksu or Cold Noodles, a local food in a restaurant in Gyeonggi-do which name I could not recall:
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The local cold noodles! |
We left with a new experience that there can indeed be a cold noodle,lol! Korea really innovates!
In any manner, as quoted from Korea Net, the Korean government started the Four Rivers Restoration Project project in June 2009 aimed at developing water resources by securing a sufficient water supply, preventing floods, upgrading water quality and reviving ecosystems, as well as boosting regional economies. The government spent a total of 22.2 trillion won by 2012 on the "Rivers Restoration Project" designed to develop the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan Rivers, which flow through the country's major urban, industrial and farming areas. This project is a key part of the "Green New Deal," a set of policies the government announced earlier in 2009 and aimed at laying the groundwork for Korea's green growth. Green growth is defined as achieving sustainable economic growth by developing low-carbon, eco-friendly industries. For a detailed description of this project, you may visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Major_Rivers_Project.
It is said that despite the annual heavy rain in summer, Korea can use only 25 percent of the total rainfall that flows to the sea, as the rest of it is evaporated. The assumption is that if Korea can put an additional five or ten percent of rainwater to use, this will change the climate on the Korean Peninsula and prevent floods in the country. For this reason, Korea planned to build more small-sized dams to store water in rivers in order to at least double the total volume of Korea's water resources. This four-river restoration project was expected to help both change the climate of the Korean Peninsula and create thousands of jobs, which will help the country achieve economic growth.
Indeed, I was amazed the first time I saw the beautiful Han River, the Pasa Sanseong (Mountain Fortress) and the Ipo Weir which is actually a small-scale hydropower plant with a capacity of 800 to 5,000kW producing eco-friendly, clean energy of an hourly 50,756kW. The power produced now supplies the demand of 58,000 households, replace crude oil imports resulting to foreign currency savings and reduce carbon dioxide effects of 183,000 tons per year from all the weirs built. Indeed, an amazing project for Korea showing its immense care in environmental management.
Here are some of the pics I have taken of the Ipo Weir:
From afar, the hydropower generators look like large eggs! It created quite a good impression and a tourist attraction at that to commuters and passersby. A walk in the said bridge was truly monumental as I know I was walking in one of Korea's greatest projects. A visit in the tower gave me a beautiful macro view of the whole Han River and the Ipo Weir. I was also amazed that the bridge also serves as a bicycle lane! Community events can also be held in strategic locations of the weir. If we had the time I would have also requested that we visit the other weirs.Truly astounding! Combining technology, will-power and the vision of restoring the river and creating tourism attractions really gave me a wishful thinking that we could do it back in my country.
I could say it was really worth the long-hour drive! I could not help but exclaim to myself how lucky Koreans are! Truly, a visit to Korea would not be complete without seeing this Ipo Weir and The Four Rivers Restoration Project.
We then moved on to Yangpyeong for our Eco-tour in their famous Dumulmeori (Two Water Area) Bicycle Riding Lane. It was indeed an exciting experience as we were able to ride in a bicycle while in Korea!
According to Gyeonggi-do Blog, the old railway between Yangpyeong and Namyangju, where public access has long been prohibited, was reinvented as a premium bike trail and was opened in October 2011. The significance of the Namhan River Bike Trail, opened in October 2011, is that a 27-km section of the old railway, which became neglected after the Central Line (Jungang Line) became the main line, was transformed into an eco-friendly and safe bike trail.
Some of the pics taken in our chilly yet memorable experience. Bike rental was available near the Yangsu Subway Station, thus, truly accessible.
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| It was so cold but we were all excited to bike! |
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| The bicycle lane separate from the highway! |
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| One of the bicycle stops! |
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| A tunnel for biking. It is lighted and has a CCTV! |
The Bukhangangcheolgyo (Bukhan River Railroad Bridge)’ is the highlight of the bike trail, where you can enjoy a beautiful scenic view of the river from both sides of the bridge. Situated near Dumulmeori, this railroad bridge offers Korea’s longest cycling trail spanning the width of a river with a distance of 560m.
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| Korean bikers must really feel proud they have their own lane! |
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