From February, tourists taking a special train- West Gold Train (G-train), bound for tourist attractions in western Korea will be able to experience the warmth of ondol, a Korean traditional underfloor heating system. An ondol, also called gudeul, in Korean traditional architecture, is underfloor heating which uses direct heat transfer from wood smoke to the underside of a thick masonry floor. The West Gold Train will run once a day on the Janghang Line, and will take tourists to Asan Hot Springs, Sudeoksa temple, Namdang Harbor, Daecheon Beach, the National Institute of Ecology, Gunsan’s Modern Heritage Street and the Iksan Jewel Museum.
The G-train is composed of a locomotive, a generation car and five passenger cars. One of the passenger cars is equipped with an ondol system, where passengers can rest freely on the warm floor. The interior of the ondol carriage is furnished with wooden lamps and tables, and cushions. In addition, the train features a footbath café, where tourists can enjoy a foot bath while taking in the scenery with a cup of tea.
