Beat the Heat with High-Speed Kart Driving

Following the refreshing Jayoo-ro (Freedom Road) along the Han and Yimjin River, one will find Paju at the end of the road. This region near North Korea is still left undeveloped and is considered one the few remaining clean zones in South Korea. There are historical sites such as Yulgok’s tomb and the tombs of kings, but if you want a new experience, try the Paju Kartland. There, one can cool off driving a kart, shooting arrows, and exploring Seowons (a Confucian lecture hall) all at once.

Thrilling Experience of Driving a Kart—

When driving a kart, one can experience speeds over 200 km/h while actually still traveling at 60 km/h. The thought of it is just thrilling. Karts are mini-cars with the basic mechanics of a normal car. There is no need for gear shifting, just accelerate and use the brake pedal, so people of all ages can enjoy driving it.

One can breathe the clean air of an unpolluted region while driving freely at Kartland, which is located just across Tongil Tower (Unification Tower). The length of the track is about 600m and it is filled with the rumbling noise of karts running on it.

The track is short because it was designed for small karts, so some people are disappointed, but that is before they actually drive. The nerve-wracking experience begins right after starting a kart and when the vibrations of the car run up your whole body. In order to maximize your thrill, you should drive boldly, and try the “S” course. It feels like driving straight, because unlike a conventional road, one uses the ‘out-in-out’ method. One’s heart feels like it will explode when turning curves at fast speeds, and with the deafening engine roars, one feels like an actual race car driver. After finishing a couple of laps, it almost feels sad to leave the kart. The time given for a single ride is about seven to 10 minutes, which amounts to roughly 10 laps on the track.

A Great Way to Relieve Stress—

The greatest charm of karts is their speed. The top speed of a leisure kart is between 60 to 70 km/h. However, the kart is an open-car only four cm from the ground, and the friction with the ground is directly passed to the body, so the speed the driver feels is about three times that of the actual speed. If you are brave enough or want more, you can try the racing kart, which can go up to 150 km/h. There are also two-person karts for parents to drive with children, but they are more popular among lovers.

Despite the high speeds, driving is safe because the kart has a low frame, so it is unlikely to overturn, and the walls of the racetrack are covered with tires and sponges.

Anyone over 120cm tall can drive a kart after learning a few basic driving principles, and fearless young children usually drive faster than adults. In places like Europe, where car racing is popular, 90 percent of F1 drivers are said to have started driving in racing karts. For instance, the best F1 racer, Michael Schumacher, started driving karts at the age of four.

Driving karts is good for fostering courage, dexterity, concentration, endurance, and judgment. Furthermore, it is a great way to relieve stress for those drivers who want to drive at the utmost speeds on conventional roads, but are restricted by law from doing so.

Bow and Arrow Craftsmanship Museum Is Worth a Visit-

The Youngjip-gungshi Museum is a seven-minute drive from Kartland. This is the first bow and arrow craftsmanship museum in Korea, which was built by Yoo Young-ki, who is an “intangible cultural treasure” who inherited the art of bow and arrow making handed down for generations, and is a traditional craftsman. One can see our ancestors’ resourcefulness in the museum and experience shooting with a bow and arrow.

In this place, one can learn in detail about the shape and functions of a bow, as well as actually shooting well with a bow. For example, the well-known sharp triangular arrowheads are used against armored enemies, while ax-blade-like arrowheads are used to inflict fatal wounds. Arrows that whistle upon shooting were used for commanders to signal orders, while covert, little baby-arrows were used for sniping because of their speed during the Chosun Dynasty. The rocket-arrow, which launched hundreds of arrows at once, was used to bring the down the morale of the enemy at the beginning of combat.

In addition, visitors can make their own bow and arrow. The bow is created by bending bamboo and tying a rope, while the arrow is completed by coiling an artificial wire on a shaft of arrow wood and gluing feathers to it. Although the process itself is simple, it takes about an hour and half because it is a delicate task. The arrowhead is made from rubber so it is not dangerous. Visitors can shoot with the bow and arrow they produced and take it home as a souvenir.

On the way back home, it is interesting to visit the lecture hall where Yulgok Yiyi’s ancestral tablet is kept, as well as Yulgok’s tomb, and Jawoon Seowon, where the Yulgok Memorial is located. Or you can just watch a movie in the summer night air at a drive-in theater right next to Kartland.

Written by Choi Mi-sun Travel Planner tiger tigerlion007@hanmail.net

Photo by Shin Suk-kyo Freelance photographer rainstorm4953@hanmail.net