Get A Peek At North Korea With A Visit To The DMZ

Tour Imjingak Park and the Bridge of Freedom

Imjingak Park is located less than an hour from central Seoul and is the first stop on the tour. This park is the farthest north South Koreans can go without special government permission. It is also home to the Bridge of Freedom. At the end of the Korean War, nearly 13,000 prisoners of war were traded between the north and south. As most other bridges had been destroyed during the war, this footbridge was built for the specific purpose of returning prisoners.

Today the bridge is no longer in use, but rather is blocked by barbed wire fences. Despite the barriers, it still remains a powerful memorial. South Koreans visit to tie colored ribbons, flags, and notes to the bridge and the fence. Some were separated from their families during the war and leave messages praying for a reunited Korea. Those who managed to escape the North visit this area during holidays because Korean tradition dictates that you must return to your birthplace and honor your ancestors. The bridge is as close as they can get.

Discover the mysteries of the 3rd Tunnel

As mentioned previously, North and South Korea are and have been at war since the end of the Korean War in 1953. Consequently, North Korea has been attempting to infiltrate the south since that time. Starting in November 1974, South Korean forces have discovered four North Korean tunnels crossing the DMZ. Although the North claims the tunnels were for coal mining, even going so far as to paint the walls black, no coal has ever been found. South Koreans take this as proof of an infiltration attempt.

During the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the 3rd Tunnel, the discovery of which was made thanks to a North Korean defector in October 1978. For safety reasons, you must store your belongings in the provided lockers before boarding the tram that leads to the tunnel. You will also be given a hard hat to wear because the ceilings are very low.

After a short, steep downhill ride, you will arrive at the entrance to the tunnel. You will have the opportunity to walk part of the tunnel, but be aware that the ceilings are very low and will probably have to walk bent over. You’ll definitely be happy you have the hard hat. The tunnel is very dark and damp, so wearing warm clothes and walking shoes is necessary. Be aware also that photography is not allowed during this part of the tour. After emerging from the tunnel, you will take the tram back up to the surface and continue onto the next part of the trip, a visit to the Dora Observatory.

Peek into North Korea at the Dora Observatory

On the bus ride to the Dora Observatory you will have an opportunity to see parts of the DMZ. These areas are particularly interesting because they have been left virtually untouched by humans since the war. As a result, the trees and plants are in full bloom and it’s a sanctuary for bird and animal life.

Dora Observatory gets its name from Mount Dora, the mountain that it stands atop. This is the closest point between North and South Korea without crossing into the DMZ. There are telescopes that you can pay to use to look into North Korea; however, you must stand behind a line to take pictures. There is a diagram indicating different buildings in North Korea but most are hard to see because of the distance. Your best hope is for a clear, partly sunny day as this provides the best visibility. Inside the observatory there is also a theater where you can watch a short movie about the history of the DMZ and reconciliation efforts between the two sides. While interesting, it is a bit redundant if you have a basic understanding of the conflict.

Discover Dorasan Station

This station is the northernmost stop on the Gyeongui Line from Seoul. It is located just 56 kilometers (34.8 miles) from the South Korean capital and 205 kilometers (127.4 miles) from Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. It was built not only to shuttle products back and forth between the two Koreas, but also in the hopes of facilitating transportation between the two countries should they ever reconcile. Another interesting fact to note is that if North Korea opens itself up, travelers could theoretically travel by train across the Korean peninsula, through China, across Russia, and all the way to London. It’s a promising idea, but one that seems highly unlikely in the near future.

Visitors are free to walk around the stations and the platforms. There are a few displays describing the construction, as well as detailing former president Bush’s visit, but other than that this is a rather eerie stop on the tour. The station looks brand new and is fully functional, but there are no travelers, making it feel abandoned.