From Seoul to DMZ – The Demilitarized Zone Between North and South Korea

Pick up at your hotel in Seoul and drive 50km north to Paju County to begin your DMZ tour from Seoul with your tour guide. This private experience is part of an exclusive Seoul to DMZ tour itinerary. We start with the Freedom Bridge, which crosses the Imjin River—a former railroad bridge used by repatriated prisoners of war and soldiers returning from the North. We continue with Imjingak—a unification and security tour complex that consists of Imjingak and North Korea Center, Unification Village, and several monuments and memorial sites. Pyeonghwa Nuri Park, located next to the resort, also hosts many events, performances, and exhibitions to promote peace and reunification. Next is the 3rd infiltration tunnel, discovered in 1978. This tunnel was dug by the North Koreans to spy on their Southern counterparts. It’s 1,635 meters long, 2 meters high and wide—wide enough for over 30,000 soldiers to pass through in just one hour. We have a look at the Dora Observatory, the northernmost observatory on the western section of the DMZ. Through binoculars, you’ll spot the city of Gaeseong, Songaksan Mountain, and the Statue of Kim Il-sung in North Korea. NB: The area beyond the observatory lies within a military outpost command, so photography is strictly prohibited. The Dorasan Station is one of the northernmost railway stations on the Gyeongui Line, connecting Seoul to Sinuiju—a symbol of efforts for a unified Korea and a highlight of many DMZ Seoul tours. After lunch, we walk around Dorasan Peace Park, an ecological area with a pond shaped like the Korean peninsula and a boardwalk around it. The exhibition hall showcases information on Dorasan Station and the demilitarized zone DMZ ecosystem. Next is the Unification Bridge, located in the Joint Security Area (JSA)—this is the so-called “Bridge of No Return,” which crosses the military demarcation line between North and South Korea. It was used for prisoner exchanges at the end of the Korean War in 1953. We end the day at Panmunjeom, where the Armistice Agreement was signed. Panmunjeom is inside the JSA, secured by UN and North Korean military and lies beyond the jurisdiction of both North and South Korea. This site is often included in specialized JSA tours. We drive back to the historic heart of Seoul for an evening in your Hanok in Bukchon. Dinner will be prepared for you at the Hanok—an elegant way to complete the first day of your DMZ from Seoul experience.

After breakfast in the courtyard of the Hanok, you’ll continue your tour to the DMZ experience with cultural highlights of Seoul. Today’s itinerary is self-guided—no car, no tour guide. Begin your exploration in Bukchon (Northern Village), the neighborhood north of Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. During the Joseon period, Bukchon was home to royals and powerful officials, while Namchon (Southern Village) housed the middle class. Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is often referred to as the Northern Palace due to its location. It is the largest and arguably the most beautiful of the five Seoul palaces. We’ve reserved a place for lunch before you continue to Changdeokgung Palace, the second royal villa built after Gyeongbokgung. This palace served as the main residence for many kings of the Joseon Dynasty and remains the most well-preserved. The palace grounds include a public area, residence, and the famous Secret Garden—a serene retreat with a pond, 300-year-old tree, and peaceful pavilion. You’ll return to Rakkojae by 2:30 pm to collect your bags and continue your journey. This marks the conclusion of one of the most enriching tours of DMZ from Seoul, blending history, nature, and culture in a 2-day DMZ tours Seoul South Korea experience.