The city of Paju in Gyeonggi Province says it revamped and expanded facilities on the nature trail along the Imjin River to better serve tourists.

Paju City said Saturday that it also built an observatory across Chopyeong Island equipped with three high-resolution microscopes so that visitors can closely observe migratory birds such as the eagle and the white-naped crane.

Restrooms and security cameras have been additionally installed next to the observatory.

The nine-kilometer long Imjin River nature trail, starting from the Imjingak pavilion and passing through Chopyeong Island and the Yulgok wetland, is an area near the demilitarized zone where the ecosystem is well preserved.

Civilian access to the trail was halted since 1971 for security reasons, but the ban was lifted in January this year.

As of this month, ten-thousand tourists have visited the eco-trail.

The trail operated by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization is open from Wednesday to Sunday.

Those seeking to visit can apply on its Web site(imjingang.walkyourdmz.com) at least seven days prior to the day they wish to visit.