Your Korean DMZ Guide: How to Get There + Best Places to Visit

Stretching over 200 kilometres long, the Demilitarized Zone or DMZ in Korea, is a historic site that deserves a spot in your itinerary. The no-man's land separating North Korea from the South not only serves as a de facto international border but also houses major tourist attractions like the Dora Observatory, the Third Tunnel of Aggression, and Imjingak Park.

Whether you're a certified history buff or a curious first-time visitor, the DMZ is a great opportunity to learn more about the Korean War and its cultural impact today. Start planning your trip as we tell you everything you need to know about the Korean Demilitarized Zone, including the best DMZ tours to take and the famous places you can't miss.

The DMZ is the military demarcation line separating North and South Korea, dividing the Korean peninsula by two kilometres along each side. The United Nations and North Korea first agreed to institute the ceasefire line in 1953 to hold off the Korean War.

Now, it's known as the most heavily armed buffer zone worldwide, with both sides flanked by their respective forces and numerous defensive traps. At the same time, the border line is also regarded as one of the most interesting tourist sites in Korea because of its complex background and mysterious aura.

Fun fact: Contrary to popular belief, the hit K-drama series Crash Landing on You wasn't filmed in the DMZ! Most Crash Landing on You filming locations were actually in South Korea and Switzerland, not the actual military bases.

As the original demarcation line between North and South Korea, the Demilitarized Zone sits on the Korean peninsula roughly at latitude 38° N. It runs nearly 250 kilometres long and four kilometres wide, starting from the west coast's Han River to the east coast's Kosong town.

If you want to enter the DMZ, we suggest coming from Seoul, as it's the major city nearest to the buffer zone. Remember to bring your passport and follow the dress code for security purposes!

The Joint Security Area, or JSA, is situated within the DMZ. Located just a few miles east of North Korea's Kaesong City, the JSA is also referred to as the "truce village" of Panmunjom.

Back during the Korean War, it was the go-to location for peace talks between the two Koreas and the allies involved. It's basically the nearest place you can ever get to North Korea without exiting the Civilian Control Line, the additional security buffer zone extending from the DMZ.

So, you've got enough guts to enter the DMZ and want to check it out. There are a tonne of DMZ tours you can look at to help you get there, but that doesn't mean you can just trust any random tour you come across online.

Joining an official tour with a registered guide is the safest way to set foot in the Demilitarized Zone, plus it'll spare you from travel complications down the line. Check out our top picks ahead to find the right DMZ tour for your Seoul itinerary!

Recognised as the safest DMZ tour in Korea, this informative day tour departing from the city will allow you to explore the Demilitarized Zone free of any hassle and worry. You can see firsthand the Third Tunnel of Aggression that North Koreans dug for a secret invasion underground.

Then, head to the Dora Observatory and use the telescopes to take a peek at North Korea's sights, including a large manufacturing park called the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and the picturesque Songhaksan Mountain.

Outside of the Demilitarized Zone, you can choose to visit the Dokgae Bridge, the Gamaskan Suspension Bridge, or the Majang Reservoir Shaking Bridge for stunning views of the waters and mountains. There's also an available boat ride across the pristine Ijmin River now that it's finally open after 50 years!

You'll begin this whole-day tour at the Second Tunnel, the only site among the Tunnels of Aggression that permits photographs. After entering the infiltration tunnel and seeing it firsthand, head to the DMZ History Museum to immerse yourself further in the bone-chilling history of Korea through its stored archives and artefacts about the Korean War.

You can then ride the monorail up to the Peace Observatory to witness not just a panoramic view of the DMZ but also the breathtaking fields of Cherowon Plain, which house over 100 species of local birds. Cap off the tour by making a stop at the remains of the Korean Workers' Party Headquarters and feasting on a hearty lunch on the house before returning to the city.

On this guided DMZ tour, you'll get a chance to see the unification efforts of Korea following the Korean War and the Cold War while walking through Imjingak Peace Park. There, you'll get to see a buzz-worthy installation named "DMZ Art Project: Peace, Again," which showcases creative works centred on the theme of peace crafted by 12 renowned artists.

You'll also drop by the Odusan Unification Observatory, situated between the Hangang River and the Imjingang River, to take in unobstructed views of Seoul's 63 Building, the tallest gold structure in the world. To make the most of your DMZ experience, the half-day tour wraps up with a trip to the iconic Dora Observatory and the Third Infiltration Tunnel.

Apart from the border line, the DMZ is also home to a wide variety of famous landmarks that'll pique any tourist's curiosity. Below, we round up some of the must-see spots to add to your bucket list!

The Infiltration Tunnels are typically the highlight of most DMZ tours. Quick history lesson: when four secret tunnels were found under the DMZ in the 1970s, they were believed to be hidden passageways that North Korean forces built for a surprise attack against the South.

Now, you can walk through the very same tunnels yourself and find out exactly how North Korean defectors discovered them. The most popular tunnel today, the Third Tunnel of Aggression, penetrates South Korea and extends beyond the ceasefire line at 70 metres deep and 265 metres long.

Although Imjingak Park was initially constructed for North Korean refugees, millions of travellers now flock to this famous landmark every year for its informative and engaging monuments. Apart from showcasing war memorials and art installations, the park also houses the Bridge of Freedom that Korean soldiers crossed after fighting in the war.

Imjingak Park is more than just a small theme park—it's practically a historic symbol calling for the two Koreas' reunification.

Thanks to the Dora Observatory, you can now get a glimpse of North Korea without having to cross the border. Found at the northernmost part of the Military Demarcation Line, the Dora Observatory overlooks North Korea from the top of Paju's Mount Dora.

Use one of the observatory's powerful binoculars to take a closer look at the North, from the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and the Kim Il-sung statue to Kaesong City and Songhaksan Mountain.

In a nutshell, there's no shortage of fascinating spots you can visit in the DMZ! From history geeks to Hallyu fans, all DMZ visitors are guaranteed to leave the place with lots of interesting new stories to tell.

Don't forget to go through our guide for first-time visitors to make your travel to South Korea from Australia a breeze!