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The Military Demarcation Line is surrounded by the Demilitarized Zone under the provisions of the Armistice (cease-fire) Agreement signed on July, 1953. The Military Demarcation Line runs155miles and separates the South and the North. Southern and Northern boundaries of the DMZ are located 2km apart from the MDL. The Demilitarized Zone, which consists of the area between Southern and Northern boundaries of the DMZ, was established to serve as a buffer zone to prevent any means of provocative action and collision between the South and the North. The civilian off-limit line was set up near the southern boundary of DMZ creating the civilian off-limit area, and its exact location varies from 5 to 20km away from Southern boundary of the DMZ. Because of its low population density and restrained development, the civilian off-limit area was able to maintain excellent level of natural environment.

● Third Tunnel

Only 44km(27miles) from Seoul or less than an hour's drive, the third tunnel was discovered on October 17, 1978. Unlike the previous two, the third tunnel was discovered based on information provided by a North Korean defector. It is 1,635m (1.1 miles) long, 2 m (6.6 ft) high and 2 m (6.6 ft) wide and penetrates 435meters south of Military Demarcation Line at a point only 4 km south of JSA. It runs through bedrock at a depth of about 73 m (240 ft) below ground. It is apparently designed for a surprise attack on Seoul from North Korea, and can easily accommodate 30,000 men per hour along with light weaponry. Upon discovery of the third tunnel, the United Nations Command accused North Korea of threatening the 1953 armistice agreement signed at the end of the Korean War. Its description as a "tunnel of aggression" was given by the South, who considered it an act of aggression on the part of the North. A total of four tunnels have been discovered so far, but there are believed to be up to ten more. South Korean and U.S. soldiers regularly drill in the Korean Demilitarized Zone in hopes of finding more. Initially, North Korea denied building the tunnel. However, observed drill marks for dynamite in the walls point towards South Korea and the tunnel is inclined so that water drains back towards the northern side of the DMZ (and thus out of the way of continued excavation). North Korea then officially declared it part of a coal mine; black "coal" was painted on the walls by retreating soldiers to help confirm this statement. However, statements in the tunnel claim that there is no geological likelihood of coal being in the area. The walls of the tunnel where tourists are taken are observably granite, a stone of igneous origin, whereas coal would be found in stone of sedimentary origin. Photos are forbidden within the tunnel, which is now well guarded, though it is a busy tourist site, where visitors enter by going down a long steep incline that starts in a lobby with a gift shop. The South Koreans have blocked the actual Military Demarcation Line in the tunnel with three concrete barricades. The third is visible by tourists visiting the tunnel and the second is visible through a window in the third.

● Dora Observatory

Situated in Paju (Gyeonggi-do) and at the northernmost point of the Military Demarcation Line of the Western Front, the Dora Observatory replaced the previous Songaksan Observation Post which was closed. From the observatory, visitors can overlook North Korea and its various locations including Gaeseong, Songaksan, Kim Il-Sung Statue, and Cooperation Farm (Geumamgol). The observatory offers 500 seats, VIP rooms, and abundant parking space. It was first opened to the public in January 1987. Near the observatory is the Third Underground Tunnel built by North Korea and founded in 1978. It stretches over 1.6km with 2m in height and width, capable of mobilizing 30,000 troops in one hour. In front of the tunnel are a variety of attractions such as the DMZ Media Hall (offering the history of the divided country and flourishing ecosystem in the Demilitarized Zone), DMZ Exhibition Hall (displaying relics and documents related to the Demilitarized Zone), sculptures, and souvenir shops. Visitors can see the inside the tunnel by either walking or riding the monorail. Because this area restricts civilian access, visitors must participate in the DMZ Peace & Security Tourist Program (implemented by Paju) to visit the observatory. Conducted by a shuttle bus, either from Imjingak Resort or Dorasan Station, it goes through the Dora Observatory, 3rd Underground Tunnel, Dorasan Station, and Unification Village. Visitors must carry passports, which are examined at the checkpoint just beyond Unification Bridge.

● Dorasan Station

Dorasan Station is the northernmost station of the South Korea which is 700m distant from the southern boundary line of DMZ, the civil control zone. Since US president Bush visited Dorasan Station on February 20, 2002, it has come into spotlight internationally. imjingak Station was opened in October 2001, and then Dorasan Station, the unfinished station of the north-south Korean reconciliation was opened on February 12, 2002 (the lunar New Year's Day) through the special Mangbae train operation in 52 years after the railroad service was stopped. The milestones of Dorasan Station (205km to Pyeongyang, 56km to Seoul) imply the reality of the division between two Koreans and a future hope and expectation. Because Dorasan Station is the northernmost station of the South Korea in the southern boundary line, Dorasan Station will play the role of customs and entry for Chinese and Russian people and goods as well as the North Koreans if Gyeongui Line Railroad connection is completed and the traffic is possible between two Koreans. Also, Dorasan Station contains the historical meaning as a symbolic place of the division between two Koreans and a gateway of the south-north exchange.

Panmumjeom lies 50Km north of Seoul Along the Tongilro. It is the place where the Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953. Presently, Panmunjeom is the Location where South and North dialogues take place. Visitors can feel the tragedy of the divided land and the unhealed scar of internecine war. As of today, Panmunjom refers to the Joint Security Area (JSA), a 400m x 800m rectangular area, set up on the Military Demarcation Line within the UNCMAC compound and reserved for talks between the United Nations Command (UNC) and its Communist counterarts (North Korea and China).

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Dmz tour review | everything you need to know.

A DMZ tour from Seoul is an experience you should not miss whilst you’re in South Korea. With this tour, you can take a glimpse into life in North Korea, whilst soaking up the tragic history of how a nation became divided. Read on to find our DMZ tour review. Find out how to book a tour, the different costs, and the day’s itinerary.

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Preparing for the DMZ tour from Seoul

The day had arrived, and we were very excited about our trip to the North Korean border. Stupidly, the first time we visited Seoul we didn’t realise that we needed to book the DMZ tour a few days in advance. So, when we called a tour agency 2-days before we were due to leave for Japan, we were more than gutted to be told that we can’t book a tour at such short notice. As the tour was something we really wanted to do, we decided to head back to Seoul after backpacking Japan.

DMZ tour types

There are two types of tours; the demilitarized zone tour (DMZ), and the demilitarized zone tour with joint security area (JSA). The difference? Not much, other than that the JSA is where you actually step foot into North Korean territory and get up close to North Korean soldiers.

DMZ tour from Seoul costs

Costs can vary massively, depending on which company you choose to take your tour with. We chose to do our tour with Koridoor Tours. MASSIVE MISTAKE! We will tell you more about that later in this DMZ tour review! At the time we took the tour, the prices were as follows:

DMZ tour only: $42

Tour of the DMZ with Joint security area: $92

DMZ day tour itinerary

Departure and tunnels.

The DMZ tour from Seoul started with a gathering at the Koridoor Tour office. At the office, guides checked our IDs and clothing, as visitors must be dressed well. After everyone had arrived and signed in, a coach and a guide took us to the third tunnel (DMZ). Here we could walk through the tunnel and learn the history of the war between South and North Korea. The tunnel itself is not much to write home about, but it’s worth checking out.

After the third tunnel, we made a quick stop for a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant. We opted to munch on the sandwiches that we had bought before the tour began. However, the restaurant has plenty of local Korean food to choose from, but this is not included in the cost of the tour.

Dora Observatory

At the observatory, we could peek through the binoculars into a creepy fake North Korean town. Yes, FAKE! No one actually lives there. Our guide told us that North Koreans had built this colourful town and played loud music daily to show South Koreans, and visitors, that they are prosperous and doing well. This was a pretty cool part of the tour and the guide provided us with some very interesting information.

Dorasan Train Station

This part of the tour was very sad and emotional. We could really sense the desperation of South Korea to reunite with their Northern counterparts; so much so, a train station heading to Pyongyang has already been built and the train is sitting waiting to go. Another interesting item at the train station is the small piece of the Berlin Wall that had been donated to South Korea to show hopes of reunification.

Joint security area

Next up was supposed to be the most exciting part of the trip that everyone had been waiting for; the part where we would step foot into North Korea. As we approached the JSA, our bus pulled over and an American soldier boarded the bus to give us what was supposed to be a briefing. Instead, he told us that the border was now closed to tourists due to an incident that had happened earlier in the day. At this point, we weren’t quite sure if this was a joke or not. But NOPE, unluckily for us, it was not a joke at all.

JSA section cancelled

Instead of going to the JSA, our guide opted to take us all to a nearby park. This was just to waste time, so we fulfilled the tour length. In all honesty, though, I don’t think anyone wanted to do this. At this point, everyone was quite pissed off. When we arrived back at Koridoor’s tour office, surprisingly everyone had already left the office! So, there was no one there to talk to about getting a refund for the JSA section part of the tour.

Trying to get a refund

The next day, we went back to the office to speak to the manager about receiving a refund for the part of the tour that was cancelled. Unfortunately, the staff were rude and no longer showed the same enthusiasm as they did when we were making a booking. After asking where $50 per person had been spent, and how it was justifiable for them to keep it, we got nowhere and sadly left feeling robbed.

DMZ tour review conclusion

To conclude this DMZ tour review, the first half of the DMZ tour from Seoul was great. We enjoyed learning the history of the war and how the nation became divided. However, if the JSA section of this tour is high a priority for you, avoid going with cheapskate companies like Koridoor. We completely understand that at such a high-tension border zone, incidents can occur; resulting in border closures at short notice. But to not receive a refund for this was totally unacceptable, particularly after hearing from other travellers that other companies were happy to give refunds. On top of that, the customer service after the tour was totally disappointing and the manager refused to answer some of our questions. All in all, we do recommend taking a tour to the border of North Korea, just make sure to research the tour companies thoroughly beforehand.

Where to stay in Seoul

Feeling luxurious:   Royal Hotel Seoul – Has excellent reviews and boats spa and wellness services for you to end your trip in style.

Budget private room:   Coups Hotel – Has great modern rooms. The hotel is located just a 10-minute walk away from Changgyeonggung Palace and has excellent metro links

Dorm life:   Itaewon Inn – Basic, but super cheap and has good links to the metro system.

For more prices and deals on properties in Seoul,  CLICK HERE.

Essential resources for travelling in South Korea

Travel Insurance – No matter where you’re travelling to, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re covered for any accidents or losses. We spent days and weeks searching for insurance, but most insurers would not allow us to take out a policy as we were already abroad. Our personal choice is Safteywing . You can opt for automatic monthly payments, just like a subscription. More importantly, it is available in 180 countries and can be purchased whilst already travelling. There is no cap on the duration of travel.

Visa – Before you travel to any country, make sure to check if you need a visa. iVisa is a fantastic website that is super easy and quick to use. Just type in where you are from. and where you are going. to check if you need a visa. If you do, you can quickly make an application online.

Accommodation – Booking.com is our go-to when looking to pre-book accommodation online. Booking.com tend to almost always have the best rates and a FREE cancellation policy for most properties.

Tours & Activities – If you want to book tours and activities online, make sure to check out Get Your Guide . Get Your Guide takes the stress out of booking activities abroad. You will also find a range of benefits, such as skip-the-line passes, lunch included in your tours, and so much more.

Travel tips ebook -Before you head off on your adventure, make sure to download our free ebook. It has a whopping 109 budget travel tips to help you make your hard-earned cash go further. Click here to download your FREE ebook.

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13 thoughts on “ DMZ Tour Review | Everything You Need to Know ”

Hey great pos guys… But mean spirited with the review for Koridoor. I guess having access to JSA revoked at the last minute is beyond anyone’s control and managing your expectations better when undertaking global travel might be required at times. Peace and love x

Hey, thanks for the comment 🙂 yeah we totally understand that with it being such a sensitive area, things like this could happen. The frustrating part was the handling of it afterwards. Especially when other companies that day were issuing. All the best, K & J

Great article! Would love to visit the DMZ since it is such a historically relevant place, thanks for sharing!

Thanks for your comment. The DMZ is definitely interesting and worth the visit.

Hm… very i teresting read. I had no idea about this tours. It was quite an experience for you two.

Thanks for the comment, yes it was a very interesting trip and if you ever go to Seoul, it’s something you should definitely look into doing if you ate interested in the divide between North and South Korea.

i’ve done dmz tour in vietnam, but i’m sure it would be a totally different experience doing it in korea with the north korea situation and all that. i’m so sorry that your tour ended up disappointed by the end of the day, but i could tell you had a great experience beforehand. 🙂

anyway, i’ve also got north korea on my bucket list but i heard to join the tour there is quite expensive. i’m so obsessed to see what’s up with north korean that i am volunteering for asian games in jakarta next year just to see whether i could meet anyone from north korea. 😀

btw, since you mentioned that to do this tour you must dress well, can you tell me what kind of outfit that is recommended or what to avoid if i want to join this tour one day? thank you! 🙂

Yes it was very interesting and even without the JSA part of the tour, it is still totally worth doing.

That’s so cool that you are going to an event in Jakarta, I hope you have the opportunity to speak to someone from North Korea. Apart from actually being there and emmersing yourself into another country, there is no better way to learn about culture and life in another country than to speak to someone who is from there first hand.

As for the dress code, they require you to dress smart/ casual. For example, shoes and not flip-flops. No short shorts/ skirts and no strappy t-shirts and no tracksuits. A nice pair of jeans or a knee length skirt with shoes and you are good to go.

North Korea!!! Oh wow!! Looks amazing. So much culture to experience

Love how you go into detail about each stop…makes me feel like I was there with you! 🙂

Glad you enjoyed the post and felt as though you were apart of the experience:)

Wow, this is so interesting! Of course I have heard of the North Korean government setting up fake businesses and things like that, but I had no idea they built whole fake towns! That is so interesting! And so cool that you got to see that! That is crazy that they didn’t give you a refund for the second half being cut short though! But atleast you still had fun. Now I know we will definitely visit the dmz when we go to South Korea!

Glad we have inspired you to take a trip here. It is certainly very educational and an eye opener to the divide of the two countries. Would love to hear your thoughts on it when you go 🙂

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Koridoor DMZ day tour - Koridoor Tours

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I originally reserved a DMZ JSA tour in 2019 Dec.. but it was canceled because of African Swine Flu... read more

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Koridoor DMZ day tour

We took the DMZ tour offered through the USO by Koridoor. The tour was an amazing experience. We went during the week and other than a group of rowdy school kids, the stops weren't that crowded. The tour started at 11 and we didn't eat until 5 so it's a good idea to bring snacks for the bus. The stop at the third tunnel was interesting although a little challenging for folks that weren't in the best shape. The Koridoor guide's English wasn't very good and she was difficult to follow but she tried hard. The Army Private First Class that led our tour at Camp Bonifas was a great speaker with hysterical anecdotes. We had to skip the bridge of no retun due to N. Korean activity but we saw everything else. The experience was very memorable and well done- I highly recommend it.

We took the DMZ combined tour with a company named TOUR DMZ and had a wonderful experience. We took our tour in October, 2012 during our visit to SK and found the company to be very efficient, polite and organised. I booked our tour via emails and they were very responsive and helpful. The tour itself was very well planned and our English Tourguide Jenny was really knowledgeable and extremely helpful. I recommend this tour company to anyone who wishes to visit the DMZ. We took the all day combined tour and was very happy with their service.

Unforgettable experience. My son booked this USO tour for us, having heard it was the best tour. Later, when we compared notes, it turned out he was right. We saw far more sights than he had on another tour. The US Army were great, experienced hosts. Got great photos of North Korea!

would have been better if it hadnt been for the fog! was still a worthy experience to see such an important area. tour guide was very informative, is quite interesting in all. probably best to learn a bit more about it before you get there, so you you are applying a visual and personal experience to something you have read about.

We wanted to go on the Panmunjom tour but this was not available. I think it was due to the nuclear summit going on. So instead we went on the other tour which consists of Imjingak Park, Tunnel, Dora Observatory and a train station. On the whole the tour was disappointing because it was far too crowded. There are huge numbers of tourists and coaches at every attraction and you get herded around like sheep and there is a very limited time you can spend at each attraction. Imjingak Park - stop off for toilet, no time to look around. Tunnel - dangerously overcrowded, must be young and fit to go there. Serious lack of guards / officials to limit the crowds. If there had been any emergency in the tunnel (e.g. power failure), there would have been panic and stampede. Dora observatory was good, you can look through powerful binoculars into N. Korea (hint take some 500 won coins), the train station is nothing to much to write about. It is new and unused. I think it cost 46000 won per person and we were collected at 0800 from the hotel and dropped back at 1430 in Itaewon. They don't drop you back at the hotel. Take some snacks and drinks for the tour.

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