Touring the DMZ (North Korea?)

Ok we didn’t actually do a tour of North Korea since we were technically in the Demilitarized Zone, also known as the DMZ, which is pretty much a heavily guarded strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that separates North from South Korea. Technically we did see North Korea in the distance, however there were a lot of signs that mentioned taking pictures or videos towards North Korea is illegal and there are some portions of the tour where you need to deposit your phones and cameras into lockers since they are not allowed due to security reasons such as prior to entering the Third Tunnel.

Here is an incredibly straightforward guide to touring the Demilitarized Zone!

Am I allowed to tour the DMZ on my own? No. Only official tour groups are allowed to enter the DMZ due to strict security requirements and military presence.

How can I book a tour? We booked ours through Viator– this is the exact one I did. I only noticed the option to do a tour with an actual North Korean defector after I got home which sounds super cool! Here’s the link for that option.

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What is included on the tour? Main highlights:

Roundtrip transfer to/from Seoul – multiple pick up/drop off point options
Dora Observatory – views of North Korea
Imjingak Park – created to console those who were separated from their families during the Korean War and serve as a space for reflection and hope for reunification of North and South Korea
Third Tunnel – a tunnel dug by North Koreans with plans for a surprise attack on South Korea
Unification Bridge
(Optional) Gamaksan Chulleong Suspension Bridge

How much is the tour? Prices start at $30USD for just the DMZ tour and start at $50 for DMZ tour + bridge.

How long is the tour? 6-8 hours.

Is it safe to visit? It is completely safe as long as tours are still operating. Tours would be halted in case it suddenly becomes unsafe. I cannot emphasize this enough: listen to your tour guide.

What should I bring? Your passport since there is a military checkpoint where soldiers will check your passport against the bus passenger list, essentials, a light jacket as it gets fairly chilly down in the Third Tunnel BUT it gets sweaty going back up due to how goddamn steep it is.

What should I wear? Ideally modest clothing as recommended by our tour guide since apparently North Korean soldiers sometimes photograph tourists less modest clothing to use as propaganda? Unconfirmed though. Wear comfortable shoes.

Is there food available for purchase? Yes. There’s a cafe up in the Dora Observatory! Be aware that there are signs that say taking pictures/videos towards North Korea is illegal, so here’s a picture of my iced americano that I enjoyed with a view of North Korea:

The starting point is also at a rest stop that sells popular South Korean street food, snacks, scarves (came in clutch because I came in the winter!), coffee, etc. The tour ends at a buffet that has another store to the side that sells a whole bunch of ginseng products. Apparently the DMZ grows some really good ginseng but I’d say it’s a total tourist trap! Food was ok.

Can I buy souvenirs? Yes, there are DMZ themed souvenirs and snacks as well as a little store that sells North Korean currency.

Was the Unification Bridge scene in CLOY actually filmed here? No. But here’s a picture of the actual bridge anyways.

What was my favorite piece of knowledge to take back? The founder of Hyundai, Chung Ju-yung, had once stolen a single cow from his father to escape poverty and afford a train ticket to Seoul. He had later returned to his hometown in North Korea crossing the bridge with 1,001 cows as an act of repayment for his debt. So now there’s a statue of a cow along the bridge.

Is the suspension bridge worth it? I thought it was a super cool add on! There is also a cafe there where I got to enjoy a nice and hot sweet potato latte.

Will the suspension bridge make me nauseous? If you get severe motion sickness, then probably.

Planning a trip to South Korea? Check out my Viator shop for tour ideas!

Tour photo dump!