Experience the Fantastic Demilitarized Zone Half and Full Day Tour in Seoul

Are you planning a trip or a holiday in South Korea and want to discover everything that the seismic country has to offer? Then planning a day trip or full day tour to the Korean Demilitarized Zone located near Seoul should be included your itinerary. By doing the Demilitarized Zone Half & Full Day Tour you can witness the historic sites with your own eyes and also get knowledgeable information from an experienced guide on its past and present.

History and context

The 140-mile long Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) demarcates the borderline between North and South Korea, separating the two countries and being the most heavily militarized border in the world. It was created after South and North Korea signed an armistice agreement in 1953 to end the three-year Korean War with an unsteady ceasefire that hasn’t been approved by a peace treaty yet. The two sides agreed to open up a special 4-kilometer long and 2 km wide buffer zone, where neither side can have presence of military or civilians.

The DMZ serves as a unifying force between North and South Korea and being one of the most sought after tourist attraction for Koreans and foreigners. You can experience the web of barbed wire, military checkpoints, secret tunnels, propaganda villages, abandoned villages, and other interesting places.

What is in the tour?

The Demilitarized Zone Dream Tour consists of two options: a half day version and a full day version. The half day version includes guide services which you can customize according to your preferences. Some of the attractions you can visit upon your arrangement with the guide include:

• Imjingak Park – a commemorative park for former residents that were displaced during the Korean War.
• The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel – forming part of several secret tunnels dug by North Korean soldiers for a possible surprise invasion.
• Unification Observatory – located at one of the highest points from where it is possible to have views of both sides of the DMZ historically.
• Dora Observatory – located on the northern part of DMZ facing Gaeseong city of North Korea where you can capture its peaceful scenes through binoculars.
• The Bridge of Freedom – The bridge that used to serve as a provisional passage for convicts of war during the Korean War.

The full day tour version includes all the above attractions plus lunch and some additional places such as:

• Dorasan Station – Last stop before North Korea on the railway line connecting South and North Korea.
• War Monument – located south of Dorasan Station.
• Dorasan Peace Park – established to symbolize the hope for Korea’s future.
• Amethyst Shop & Factory – A souvenir outlet that sells quality amethyst products at reasonable prices.

What will you learn from the tour?
Whatever option you choose among half or full day tours, there are many things you will learn from the guide during your tour about:

• The historical background of DMZ.
• Facts about South and North Korea relations.
• Interesting activities you can do in DMZ.
• Some useful tips on how to get around in DMZ.

You will also learn great stories from the guide regarding the aftermath of Korean War, South-North unification efforts and harrowing events that took place in the area. There is also a bonus section in which you will learn how to take creative photos of DMZ, including secret techniques that professional photographers use. Of course, this bonus section is available only in the full day tour version.

Should I do this tour?
Yes! This is not just any ordinary tourist tour. Doing the best Demilitarized Zone Half & Full Day Tour can be an emotionally and intellectually thrilling experience, as you will get to experience first hand a heavily militarized border between two nations, who have technically been at war since 1950. It is popular among solo travelers, couples, backpackers, friends’ trip, honeymooners, and families. The experience is extremely informative as you get to know about separate ideologies, living conditions and see some effects of war clearly. Definitely a tour you should consider when planning your trip around South Korea!

Where can I book such tours?

If you are interested in exploring and connecting with South Korea’s culture, history and land, then you should consider booking a Demilitarized Zone dream tour. GetYourGuide is a company that offers tours all over the world. On this website, you can find relevant information regarding timing (full day/half day) route of touring, reviewing customer feedback on their tours, obtaining full refund in case of cancellation etc. In addition, you can also view the possible attractions for full/half day trips online along with their reviews about such attractions in order to make an informed decision about what activities you would like to include in your itinerary!