The Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, on the Korean Peninsula is one of the world's most unique locations. It is a place where the land still holds many stories about a people's history and a peculiar culture that has, to this day, remained largely hidden from sight.
After the historic inter-Korean summit was held on April 27, South and North Korean heads of state declared their wish for an end to the Korean War and for the establishment of lasting peace.
While visitors to the DMZ will witness first-hand the physical and mental scars that have been left by the more than 60-year division of the Korean people, recent world events have Koreans feeling hopeful that spring is coming soon to the Korean peninsula.
Just 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Seoul, the DMZ spans 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) south and 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL).
1. Dora Observatory
Peer across the DMZ into North Korea from the Dora Observatory, located on the hilltops of the northernmost part of the MDL.The Dora Observatory commands a view of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and the North Korean propaganda village Kijŏng-dong, or "Peace Village." Through the installed telescopes, you will be able to see the North Korea that is out of view for most people. Spot the guards of the North Korean army and perhaps a North Korean farmer.
The trip to the Dora Observatory itself is very scenic. The tour includes a ride on the DMZ Peace Train that runs north from Yongsan Station or Seoul Station towards the border. The train passes by the Imjingak Pyeonghoa-Nuri sculpture park and crosses the Unification Bridge to arrive at Dorasan Station–the furthest north one can travel in South Korea by train. From here, the DMZ tour continues by bus to the Dora Observatory.
The Dora Observatory is open daily, except Monday, 10:00 - 17:00
2. The Third Infiltration Tunnel
It has been discovered that the North Koreans had dug tunnels under the DMZ into South Korea to conduct raid operations. Four such underground tunnels have since been found.Among them, the Third Infiltration Tunnel was found near Dorasan in 1978. The 2-meter-wide tunnel is 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) long, and could have enabled 30,000 North Korean soldiers to cross into South Korea every hour. It's proximity to Seoul shocked the world when it was found.
3. Closer to Us by Weekend Bus, Camp Greaves
The U.S. Armed Forces were stationed at Camp Greaves for 50 years after the Korean War. After they left, it has operated as an experience program facility for peacetime security since 2013.It had the first youth hostel in Korean restricted areas; it was redesigned from one block of U.S. officers' quarters and can accommodate up to 240 people.
Sightseeing buses will run during the weekends in June to help individual tourists to go out on a day trip. It is required to bring your ID card.
"Descendants of the Sun," a cross-border love story popular in China and Korea, was shot here in 2016.
Camp Greaves preserved various military facilities—including the gym, the living hall, and the officers’ quarters—in their original state, and thus offers a daily soldier experience program. It also hosts many exhibitions and cultural events.
Shuttle Bus from Imjingak Pyeonghoa-Nuri to Camp Greaves: June to October, 2018, weekends (Saturday & Sunday).
4. The Symbol of Peace, Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri
Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri is a cultural space complex devoted to peace. It was designed to transform Imjingak, traditionally a symbol of division and the Cold War, into a symbol of peace and reunification.