[Review & Tips] Visiting Korea's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in 2024

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a heavily controlled strip of land that divides the Korean Peninsula roughly in half. It is run by the United Nations and acts as a buffer zone intended to reduce conflict between North and South Korea following the Korean War armistice agreement.

As one of the most popular destinations among foreign travelers and tourists to Korea, the Trazy team visited this famous location to give you an inside look at what you can expect to see if you decide to visit.

Location

The DMZ tourist entrance is near the western edge of the South Korean border in Paju. It’s about a 50-minute to an-hour drive from Seoul, so we left around 7am and let me tell you – the customized pick-up location at our hotel was a big plus!

Tickets for entrance to the DMZ are sold on a day-of first-come, first-serve basis and can sell out fairly quickly. Thankfully our guide was well versed in this daily ticketing game and scheduled our arrival with plenty of time to secure our spot on one of the first available entrance times.

Pre-book Your Tickets to Visit the DMZ:

[Half-day DMZ Tours from Seoul]

DMZ Half-Day Tour – Experience One of the Deepest Tragedies in Korean History (Morning/Afternoon)

[DMZ 1-Day Tour from Seoul]

[DMZ Private Tour]

[Special DMZ Tours]

[DMZ Shuttle Bus]

Seoul ↔ DMZ Shuttle Bus

Bus Tour

We had just enough time for a quick coffee and bathroom break at the ticket & cable car center before it was time for us to hop on our designated tour bus. Although we purchased separately, each bus is filled with multiple groups to help stagger tours and more efficiently complete security checks.

DMZ Security Checkpoint

Speaking of which, our first stop on the tour was to the DMZ civilian security checkpoint. As the DMZ is a military-controlled area, civilians cannot enter on their own – this includes private vehicles, taxis, & any non-certified tours. Most plain-looking cars you see at the checkpoint are actually military, United Nations, or official staff. Our guide was required to pre-submit all identification information for attendees when he booked our tickets, so this checkpoint operates very similar to the ID check at an airport. After pulling up to the gate, our bus was boarded by two South Korean military officers. As they moved through the bus, they checked that everyone’s ID matched both the information they received and their actual face. The process was incredibly simple and efficient, and before we knew it we were on our way!

Freedom Bridge

We next drove by the famous Freedom Bridge. Originally a pair of south and northbound railroads used in the Japanese colonial era, only the southbound track remained after the Korean War. It gained its name when it was used for the repatriation of prisoners of war after the armistice was signed in 1953. Approximately 12,773 Korean and UN POWs returned to South Korea via this bridge, shouting “Long live freedom!” as they crossed.

The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel

Next, we visited the site of the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. Uncovered in 1978, this tunnel revealed a series of attempts by North Korea to burrow through the DMZ to reach the South. Although initially claimed to be a part of a coal mining effort, it is actually one of four since-discovered tunnels allegedly dug for a surprise attack on South Korea. Before exploring the area, we were directed to watch a video explaining the tunnel’s discovery as well as the basic history of the DMZ. For our tour, the video was played in English. However, it ran simultaneously with subtitles including Chinese & Japanese.

After its discovery and excavation, South Korea installed 3 concrete blockades at the border to prevent future crossings through the tunnel. The tunnel is approximately 73 meters below ground and only about 2m in diameter. Although small, because North Korean men have an average height of only about 166cm, this would be more than sufficient for them. It is even estimated to be able to accommodate 30,000 soldiers per hour.

At 171cm I, however, was not anywhere close to those speeds. Thankfully they also provide all tourists with safety helmets before walking into the tunnel because I bumped my head not once, but three separate times while passing through the low ceiling and protective scaffolding. The steep incline down and somewhat tight quarters of the tunnel can be a bit of a hurdle, but there is a small window through the barricades that allows guests to see into the North Korean side of the tunnel. For safety, no phones or cameras are allowed in the tunnel. So I’m glad to say it’s been checked off my list as a sight you can’t see anywhere else!

3rd Tunnel Monorail

For guests who may have trouble with the incline, there is also a monorail to enter the tunnel. It operates between the ground floor and the tunnel lower platform. However, it was not in service for our tour due to maintenance.

Dora Observatory

Our penultimate stop, the Dora Observatory was probably my favorite. Built atop Dora Mountain, this observatory offers visitors the unique opportunity to look into North Korea. There are very strict rules against filming or photographing the North Korean area, however, they do offer binoculars on the rooftop.

Unification Village

Our last stop was to visit a gift center operated in the nearby Unification Village. Also known as Taesung Village, South Korea founded this unique settlement in 1973. The initial residents consisted of pre-war area residents and military personnel. And now they even operate a handful of ‘DMZ exclusive’ farming operations including the local soybean crops. From DMZ souvenirs to tasty treats like vegan ice cream – there’s a little something for everyone!

Final Thoughts

I think this tour is great for anyone interested in international relations or history. It offers a unique opportunity to see into the history of the Korean peninsula. And certainly allowed me to better understand the impact of the Korean War, even in present times. This tour does involve quite a bit of walking, including a few steep inclines. So, it may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.

Read more about the DMZ on our blog:

DMZ Korea: 12 Facts about the Korean Demilitarized Zone

Find more iconic Korean tours and more on Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!

[Photo Credit]

wikimedia.org
Ministry of Unification Offical Site

[Review & Tips] Visiting Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in 2024