Gyeonggi Province
hosts opening ceremony for ‘Uiwang
Wangsong Lake Rail Bikes’ on April 20

Governor Nam: “We hope the
rail bike becomes an exemplary tourist attraction in central Gyeonggi”

◇ On the morning of April 20,
Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil attended the opening ceremony for the ‘Uiwang Wangsong Lake Rail Bike’ at Wangsong
Lake Park in Bugok-dong, Uiwang City, to offer his congratulations. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

On the morning of April 20,
Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil attended the opening ceremony for the ‘Uiwang
Wangsong Lake Rail Bike’ at Wangsong Lake Park in
Bugok-dong, Uiwang City, to offer his congratulations. 

Governor Nam Kyug-Pil said, “I hope this
rail bike becomes a tourist attraction frequented by not only Uiwang citizens
and Gyeonggi residents but also other domestic and international tourists.” Governor Nam added, “I’d like to express my admiration to Uiwang Mayor Kim Seong-je for his
excellent leadership in making this project a reality despite numerous obstacles.”
 

Governor Nam continued, “This project
reflects the willingness to cooperate among the three municipalities involved: Uiwang,
Suwon, and Gunpo.” Nam also said, “I hope this rail bike becomes a great tourist attraction in central
Gyeonggi, and I also urge you to build an exemplary model that showcases
eco-friendly development and ecosystem preservation.” 

More than 500 guests and
citizens were present for the opening ceremony including Governor Nam
Kyung-pil, Uiwang City Mayor Kim Seong-je, Central Urban Planning Committee
Chair Yeo Hong-gu, Wonju MBC President Kim Cheol-jin, Suwon City Mayor Yeom
Tae-young, Gunpo City Mayor Kim Yun-joo, Gwangmyeong City Mayor Yang Ki-dae,
Ansan City Mayor Je Jong-gil, and other city council members.  

As Korea’s first
circular track that runs around a lake, the Uiwang Wangsong Lake Rail Bike course
runs 4.3km and provides passengers with the opportunity to see migratory birds
right before their eyes.  

Since
2011, Uiwang City has invested approximately KRW 15 billion to build the Wangsong
Lake Rail Bike course. It faced obstacles including resistance from
environmental groups as well as the adjustment of administrative districts with
Suwon City, but the project gained momentum after the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport designated the city as a railway special zone in
2013. Uiwang City selected Wonju MBC as the private contractor for the project
last year. This year, the site was able to open after construction that lasted
more than a year.  

◇ The opening ceremony kicked off
with a pre-ceremony concert, and continued with an opening declaration and
progress report, congratulatory addresses from special guests, tape cutting and
rail bike test rides. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

◇ After the opening ceremony,
special guests including Governor Nam Kyung-pil took rail bike test rides. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

◇ Gyeonggi residents test ride rail
bikes. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

The opening ceremony kicked
off with a pre-ceremony concert, and continued with an opening declaration and
progress report, congratulatory addresses from special guests, tape cutting and
rail bike test rides. 

Uiwang City Mayor Kim Seong-je
expressed his expectations in his congratulatory address, saying, “The Uiwang
Wangsong Lake Rail Bike is a unique course that differs from facilities in other
regions, and it is especially significant in that it is the only one of its
kind in the metropolitan region.” 

After the opening ceremony,
special guests including Governor Nam Kyung-pil enjoyed test rides on rail bikes.
A large number of Gyeonggi residents also lined up to try the rail bikes. 

Suwon resident Kim Yoon-ja
(45) said, “I come here often with my family because the lake has the Nature
Learning Park and Bird Ecosystem Science Hall. I came early in the morning to
ride a rail bike, but I plan to come again tomorrow because it sold out so
quickly.” 

An Yeong-in (68), who
successfully rode a rail bike, said, “I was able to really enjoy the
ride because the track had plenty of things to see at different points
including a floral tunnel, picnic zone, speed zone, fountain tunnel, event
zone, and an observation deck.” 

Uiwang
City will offer rail bike rides for free until April 22 as part of a free test
run, and officially open the rail bike course on April 23. Rail bikes will
operate throughout the year. Opening hours will be from 9:00am to 6:00pm on
weekdays, and 9:00am to 8:00pm on weekends and holidays. Rail bikes will be
available at 1.5 hour intervals. A railbike for four passengers will cost KRW
32,000 per vehicle, and the train around the lake (available from May) will
cost KRW 5,000 per passenger. 

◇ Uiwang City will offer railbike
rides for free until April 22 as part of a free test run, and officially open
the rail bike course on April 23. Rail bikes will operate throughout the year. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Lim Soo-hyun tngus1323@daum.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201604201757193665C049&s_code=C049