Odusan Unification Observatory

It was summer vacation and we had 3 days vacation so we decided to visit Gyeonggido Province. Our first destination was the Odusan or Odu Mountain Unification Observatory in Paju City.

Odusan or Odu Mountain was a ferocious battlefield about 1600 years ago, when Goguryeo and Baekje bled for the posession of a region near Han and Imjin River for 106 years. Recently, the archeological site of Odusan Fortress and Baekje potteries were excavated in the vicinity and the area was designated as Historic Site No.351.

Cars are not allowed to enter the site but there are free shuttle buses so we decided to park the car at the parking lot where we can also take the shuttle bus.



On the first floor, you can see the North Korea Exhibition Hall and room to experience North Korea. At the North Korea Exhibition Hall, there are some pictures of the war and the Presidents.



It's now that I knew about the first Presidents until the former President. I felt so sad when I saw the picture of the former President Noh Moo Hyun who contributed a lot for the Unification of the two countries but too bad that he passed away without seeing the two countries United.



There are also North Korean medicines, products for export, life goods, wishing room where you can write your wish for Unification (the notes can be restored in a time capsule until the day of Korean Unification), stamps, military, culture and life, North Korean clothes, elementary school classroom and residence master bedroom.

The souvenir shop.



North Korean master bedroom.



The KTX train that shows that we can access other countries easily after unification. This train shows the access from South Korea - North Korea - Paris.



The outdoor sightseeings while waiting for the shuttle bus.



At the second floor are the Unification Exhibition Hall, Theater, etc. We didn't bother ourselves to watch the theater so we went upstairs to see the observation room and telescope in the outside area.

The theater.



The view outside. It's better to use the telescopes to see the North Korea. Just insert 500 won.





The Unification Observatory is open throughout the year from 9:00 a.m. For group reservation call 031-945-3171. From Seoul, you can reach the 120-meter hill within 40 minutes and have a good view of North Korea across the Imjin River. It's the place where the Han and Imjin river meet and flow into the West Sea. It's the place where Goguryeo and Baekje Dynasty fought fiercely in the age of the three states. The National security education in the place leads to the people specially of Korea's dream of Unification.

Jinpo Maritime Theme Park

We visited my hubby's friend, he's the guy that we met in Canada who is living in Gunsan. Before we separated we traveled around Gunsan and Jinpo Maritime Theme Park is one of the places that we've been to.

In August 1380, the 6th year of the reign of King U of the Goryeo Dynasty, a large pirate fleet consisting of around 500 ships attacked Jinpo and pillaged the surrounding area. According to Goryeosa (The history of Goryeo), the entire area was covered with the bodies of slaughtered Koreans. The pirates (then known as wako) carted bags of rice looted from private households back to their boats, reportedly dropping so much along the way that they left behind a layer of rice some 30cm thick. The naval command of Goryeo, headed by Na Se, Sim Deok-bu and Choe Mu-seon defeated the pirates Jinpo, using cannons developed by Cheo Mu-seon. It was the first sea battle in the history of the world in which cannons were used.



Four floating platforms (bridge) at the inner port of Gunsan were built 1926-1938 but it remains 3 floating platforms present. This has been used for berth facility for vessel. The height of floating platform is automatically adjusted by water level.





Displays in Jinpo Marine Theme Park are important assets of Korean Army and the Navy that now have been dismissed with its duty after serving it for many years of hard serving. Gunsan people gained the Ministry of National Defense's approval to freely use them for educational purposes, teaching nation's defense system to the citizens of Gunsan. In the Marine Theme Park are old military equipments: therefore they are asking people to please handle them with extra caution which is really necessary of course.









At the entrance of the theme park are some transportations used in war.











To understand more about the Theme Park, here's a brief History of Wi-Bong Ship.

The "Wi-Bong" is a Landing Ship Tank knows as (LST 849 in the US) which used to serve the US navy as the major Naval ship. Having being built on Jan. 16th, 1945 it participated during WWII during the landing mission executed by the allied forces.

On Jan. 13th, 1959, it was undertaken by the Korean troops in Seattle and on May 19th, 1959, it entered in port "Jin Hae" in Korea. (Named as the Wi-Bong LST 676). Since then, it was Korea's major landing ship performing during landing missions and transportations.

It made great contribution during the Vietnam War: situated in "Baek Gu" unit, it participated sixteen combat missions.

Moreover, for past 48 years, it played essential role in nation's defense system and was definitely played part in keeping world peace by providing its facility during trainings. It made its honorable retirement on Dec. 31st, 2006.

On Dec. 25th, 2007 Gunsan City signed a contract with Korean Navy to move the ship to Gunsan (at no charge) for educational purposes and a way to introdduce the city's history to outside world.

Wi-Bong 676 is a Landing Ship Tank that was built on Jan. 16th, 1945 by Betlehem Steel in USA. It has a speed of Max. 11.6KTS (economical speed 8.0KTS). It range with a Max. 3.800NM (economical 8KTS). The ship weight is 4196 ton at full displacement. It's overalll length is 99.6, overall width 15.3m, waterline length 3.96m and mast length 23.5m.

For its transporting capacity, the number of people composed of 125 ship attendants and 500 soldiers. For vehicles, it composed of 15 amphibious tanks, 15 trucks, etc.

From the entrance, the theme park has a very relaxing and a nice view.





Don't forget to visit the Jinpo Maritime Theme Park if you happen to visit Gunsan. It's worth-seeing!

Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju Island

Teddy Bear Museum is one of the best attractions in Jeju Island. It is where you cand find everything about bears! I love teddy bears and this museum has thousands types of bears. Of course I won't leave Jeju Island without visiting the Museum again. After 10 years, I finally visited the museum again.



This teddy bears couple will greet you at the entrance where you pay your admission fee.



With lots of bears inside, it's hard to choose which one have to look first. You can't just stay in one place because your eyes will stare to another teddy bears that most of them look awesome.

Here are group of bears singing, dancing or look like performing in an opera.



There are lots of bears in group who act like people. This bears are demonstrating for Love and Peace! It seems like they are real. They are so cute!



Have you ever seen Monalisa Bear? Except Monalisa, there are lots more.



The 125 Karat Bear and Little Elephant. I wonder how much the bear is. The bear is wearing 125 Karat necklace.



There's the Kings including Gandhi!



The Prince Bears and Princess Bears.



The bears having a picnic outside.



Some bears are fishing.



A bear is driving a car.



This one great! I thought it was nothing at first but I suddenly heard a song. Goodness! The bears are holding a wedding ceremony. The bears appear according to their role. Look at the clock!



And look at this picture! The wedding couple appeared from the clock. It's fantastic if you see it in person. It's so romantic!



There's also the Elvis Presley Shop and Theater at Jeju Teddy Bear Museum. Here, you'll see the fantastic performance of the bears based on "Aloha from Hawaii", a concert performed by Elvis Presley in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 14th, 1973.



When the curtains open, Elvis Presley Bear sings and dances with other bears. It's another interesting thing in Teddy Bear Museum. You must see it! It doesn't take long.



Here's one of the performances.



If you're looking for a souvenir. There's a teddy bear souvenir shop inside.



Oh well, this one is huge! It's much bigger than I do!



Kingkong climbing up the tree outside added to the beauty of the Museum.



Mrs. Panda and her kids are extra. They are reminding us to "Save the Panda" of course.



Btw, there's also Lotteria inside, a famous Korean fastfood restaurant.

Soingook Theme Park

Soingook Theme Park or Miniature Theme Park is another world made of exquisite miniature. There are full of exciting attractions and diverse architecture from all over the world. There are miniatures of over one hundred world famous architectural masterpieces and an array of cultural heritages at Soingook Theme Park. The carefully crafted miniature replicas are displayed with historical characters from the past. This gives the impression of movement and there is a dimensional effect as of Gulliver in "Gulliver's Travels" is looking down at the land of tiny people. What's more, you can enjoy and educational experience, where the diverse cultures and histories of many countries are being visually told in a narrative of progress and human advancement. Together, children and adults can enjoy a sense of adventures around the world. Other facilities includes a character museum, street basketball, remote control cars, a pottery center, Korean restaurant, snack bars, coffee house and souvenir shops. During the last seven years the Land of Miniatures has undergone a process of investment and regeneration for the purpose of attracting new visitors around the world.

Enjoy a day trip to the world in the Land of Miniatures.

The Great Pyramids


Mount Rushmore




Angkor Wat


Great South Seas Spa


Taj Mahal




The Great Wall of China




Eiffel Tower






Moai Giants




The Statue of Liberty and Opera House


Tower Bridge


Tower of Pisa


Seoul Station


Jeju International Airport






There are a lot more like Notre Dame Cathedral, The Parthenon, The Arc de Triomphe, Bulguksa Temple, Osaka Castle, etc.

Soingook Theme Park is an excellent tourist attraction designated by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. It's easy to get there by bus or rental car. Way from the Airport (1135 road) Airport-Peace Road-(Direction of Daejeong)-Seokwang Intersection (30 minutes distance). Way from Jeju City (1135 road). Take an express bus for Daejeong. The bus leaves every 20 minutes from Jeju City. It takes about 35 minutes from the bus terminal. It is 15 minutes away from Seogwipo and Jungmun Tourist Zone.

Miniature Theme Park or Soingook Theme Park is located at 725 Seogwang-ri Andeok-myun Seogwipo-City Jeju, 697-923 Korea. Tel. +82-64-794-5400 / Fax: +82-64-794-5401.