Ring the World Peace Bell!

         Do you know a beautiful place in Korea other than Seoul? I know that most of people especially young generations like to travel around the city, but I recommend you to visit Peace Dam and the World Peace Bell Park in Hwacheon:-)

             The Peace Dam is a South Korean dam on the Bukhan River. Its purpose was to stay away from possible flooding from Imnam Dam in North Korea collapse. The dam was built in 1987 and completed in 2005. During its construction, it halted for a bit because there was a threat from North Korea, and in September 2005, North Korea released massive amount of water without any warning. However, it stayed strong and still beautiful.

<Peace Dam>

             Near Peace Dam, you can easily find the World Peace Bell Park. 

<World Peace Bell>

Along with the bell, the bell tower is built and decorated with empty shells, as well as handprints and messages from Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Other bells donated by different countries are also on display, and there is a corner where you can ring them. Moreover, there are postcards featuring Ethiopian and local children's messages of peace, as well as artifacts from war zones that remind visitors of the tragedy of national division and how war should never reoccur.

             The bell was made from empty cartridge cases from battlefields all over the world. In the upper side of the bell, there are figures of doves without a wing. It is said when Korea gets united, they will put the other wing on the figures. I was very impressed and deeply moved. I could feel that Koreans are yearning for unification and peace. Even as a foreigner myself, I wish for Korea unification and ring the World Peace Bell on the day of unification! 

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_Dam

 http://www.ibike.org/ibike/korea/east/5-Pallang.html

http://www.lg-sl.net/product/infosearch/odicmain/readOdicMain.mvc;jsessionid=KsEAeeoM9NYfWmuE5ftq8AmNIBgeFSE8qtZzxd61T81P1niCSEgmkYxnvJ4O7jwS.snap2_servlet_engine1?odicMainId=ODIC2009080049