About DMZ

‘Demilitarized Zone’, commonly known as ‘DMZ’, acts as a border between North Korea and South Korea. It is known as the most heavily fortified border in the world, dividing the Korean Peninsula into two, rather hostile neighbors; South Korea and North Korea. After an agreement between China, North Korea, and the United Nations, this 4 kilometers wide and 250 kilometers long border was established.

The only place on this lengthy border where the armies of the two nations come face to face is the 'Joint Security Area' (JSA). As its name suggests, this is not a place where hostility is fueled. Conversely, it is a place of mutual diplomatic understandings and engagements. The JSA was established in 1953, which was the end of the Korean War, and served as a place for the exchange of Prisoners of War (POW). The two neighbors have agreed upon keeping this place free of armaments, military posts, and landmines. It was further established upon mutual agreement that the JSA would be considered as a tourist attraction. The JSA is also home to the famous 'Bridge of No Return'. The Bridge of No Return, often referred to as 'The Bridge of Freedom', was called the former as North Korea gave the Southern prisoners two options; either to stay there, or go to South Korea. However, they would not be allowed to come back if they somehow changed their mind later, after crossing the border. 

Although the DMZ is a militarized zone, it has managed to attract tourists from all over the world. Tourists visiting the DMZ tend to have the urge of knowing more and more about this historic border. Therefore, bearing this in mind, the South Korean government has been able to arrange particular sites and facilities for tourists to explore the border. Important places to see and experience on tours to the DMZ include: 'Imjingak Park', 'Third Infiltration Tunnel', 'Exhibition Hall', 'Dorasan Observatory', and 'Dorasan Station'. There is also a cable ride waiting for those who wish to take a "look from a bird's perspective".


 

Must See

  • 'Joint Security Area (JSA)' is an area meant for tourist visits, sharing with them the history between the two hostile neighbors
  • 'Bridge of No Return' is an important location as the 'Military Demarcation Line' passes right between it. It was used for the transfer of prisoners across the border
  • 'Imjingak Park' was formerly a safe haven for the refugees of the 'Korean War'
  • 'Mangbaedan Altar' is a place where the Korean War refugees use to bow, at the Korean Thanksgiving called 'Chuseok', to their ancestral graves
  • 'Unification Pond' is a great place to capture photographs. It is a pond shaped as the 'Korean Peninsula'
  • 'DMZ Theatre' is where you are shown a documentary about the Korean War
  • To gain more knowledge regarding the Korean War and the DMZ, you must visit the 'DMZ Exhibition Hall'. Here you can find pictures, documents, and remnants from the old days
  • 'Dorasan Observatory' allows you to take a peek at the North Korean side of the border. You can even see their major city, and small villages
  • A station which was once made in the hope of having a railway link between the two Korea's, is now an abandoned place. However, it is available for tourist sightings
  • Warships have now been turned into Exhibition Halls situated on 'Han River'
  • The 'Unification Bridge', also known as 'Cow Bridge', is a bridge that was built by 'Hyundai Business Group' connecting the two countries, over the 'Imjingang River'. An interesting fact about this bridge, which is a lso the reason why it was given the latter name, is that the founder of Hyundai, Jung Juyoung, crossed this bridge and came back from North Korea, in 1998, with 1001 cows

How to reach

There are a few ways by which you can get from 'Seoul' to 'DMZ'

You could take a 1 hour 10 minutes Subway from 'Seoul Station' to 'Soyosan Station'. You then must take a 40-minute taxi to 'DMZ tours'. The cost of this route is 32 to 42 USD, which estimates to about 38,500 to 50,500 KRW
You could take a 1-hour 15-minute taxi costing 70 to 85 USD. This estimates to about 84,200 to 102,200 KRW

The bus route requires you to catch multiple buses from 'Seoul Station' to 'Dongjak Station' to 'Express Bus Terminal Station' for a transfer to 'Seoul Bus Express Terminal' from where you will reach 'Cheorwon'. After reaching ‘Cheorwon’, you will have to take a taxi to 'DMZ Tours'. The cost of this route is 20 to 24 USD, which estimates to about 24,000 to 29,000 KRW.

 

Tips

  • DMZ tours are not available on Mondays and Sundays
  • Tuesday tours are highly crowded as this is the first working day of the week at DMZ 
  • Always carry your passport with you as this is a very sensitive area; security-wise
  • A visit to the 'JSA' requires you to book a tour 72 hours ahead of time, and you must present your passport as well
  • There is a limit to the number of people allowed to visit the JSA. So make sure you make a booking as early as possible
  • Children below the age of 12 are not allowed at the JSA, as this is a highly sensitive area
  • Stay at your best behavior during the tour. Non-serious and mischievous activities may result in consequences
  • Tours of tunnels are not suitable for people who have respiratory issues like the environment down there is quite humid and crowded
  • Know where you are allowed to take photos and where you are not. Do not have your camera-device taken away by soldiers
  • Get a stamp as a souvenir at the 'Dorasan Station'
  • It is a long ride back to Seoul so make sure you have lunch before heading back

Visit Time

These depend on the permission granted to tour companies, as this is a very sensitive area
Visits may be a full day or half-day
Tourists are not allowed to visit independently
According to some sources, tours do not operate on Sundays and Mondays

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Waiting Time

No, since you are led by a tour guide, unless there are some unforeseen circumstances

 

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Entrance Fee

Yes

Tours to DMZ, arranged by only a few permitted travel agencies, cost approximately 55,000 to 135,000 KRW (Korean Republic Won). This estimates to 40 to 128 USD

 

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Time you can spend

6 to 10 hours

 

 

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Weather

Moderate Rain 28.42°C

 

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