Residential Houses at Tongilchon village |
However, there’s a setback. Tongilchon is located in the northern area of the Civilian Control Line. And if you don’t know what that means, the village is located right within the DMZ or the Demilitarized Zone. For more information about DMZ, you can check out the first four parts of this blog series by clicking links below.
DMZ Tour Part 1: The Remnants of War and the Symbol of Peace at IMJINGAK
DMZ Tour Part 2: Off to the Third Infiltration Tunnel
DMZ Tour Part 3: A Glance at North Korea at Dorasan Observatory
DMZ Tour Part 4: Visiting Dorasan Station
How does it feel to live in a village situated inside a DMZ? I am curious too, so when we went to visit the village, I checked what people are doing in the area. Basically, their primary source of income is farming. They have this market where people go during the tour which sells a lot of interesting products like the sundubu or Jangdan Bean Curd. I also saw some herbs, ginseng, liquors and other farm products cultivated in the land of the village.
The busy people of Tongilchon busy working on their farm produce |
Because it is situated at DMZ, civilian entrance to the village is strictly controlled. That could also be the reason why it was able to preserve its natural environment. Some of the houses in the village has been renovated and remodeled.
One of the houses in the village |
But there are some replicas of old houses in the village that represent the house design and the way of living of the first people who ever lived in this village.
Replica of old house in the village |
The place is a dream village for people who are into laidback type of lifestyle but there are reminders everywhere that the village is not an ordinary one. There are symbols of war all over that remind everybody about the danger of living in this place.
It was such a nice experience to come and visit Tongilchon village. It’s ironic that I was able to find and experience peace in a village prone to the danger of war.