Can i visit the dmz

You may not know this about the Demilitarized Zone in Korea, but aside from being a key military point, the geographical region itself is incredibly biodiverse! There have been sightings of the endangered Siberian tiger within the zone. While most visitors flock here to learn about history and politics, there are nature-enthusiasts who are enticed by the possibility of spotting the rare cat. During the Korean War, a lot of farmland was abandoned due to the military conflict, so nature took over.

The DMZ in Korea is now the home to numerous species of exotic birds as well, including white-naped and red-crowned cranes and the Amur leopard. The reason for these rules is that this is a visit to a highly important geopolitical area and by dressing appropriately, you show respect. Furthermore, there have been attempts to use photos of casually dressed tourists in order to spread propaganda in North Korea by suggestion that the rest of the world is poor.

If visiting the JSA , you will not be allowed in with ripped jeans, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, or T-shirts without a collar. Shorts and miniskirts are also a no-no. Refrain from wearing any clothing that may have military print on it, or any attire that shows a national flag or spells out nationality. Now, on the topic of what you can wear to the JSA — you are more than welcome to wear comfortable attire, such as shirts, blouses, slacks, jeans, a knee-length dress with a cardigan or long sleeves.

For shoes, you can choose loafers, moccasins, or dressier sneakers, but stay away from sandals. North Korea is notorious for its secrecy and tight travel restrictions. During the Korean War, many families were separated from loved ones who are now allowed to reunite at Mount Kumgang which is a resort close to the shared border.

In January , CNN reported that North Korea is considering new rules that would let their neighbors travel independently for tourism. That plan, however, is still in development. Due to safety policies, you need to be mindful of where you can and can not take photos at the DMZ in Korea. If visiting the JSA, you will be given a waiver to sign upon entering the DMZ which will include instructions on photography.

The waiver also states that you bear responsibility for yourself during the tour in case of an injury, accident, or even death. Legally, the paperwork needs to convey these things but this should not worry you because you will be accompanied by a tour guide who has led these groups hundreds of times. After all, this is the number 1 rated activity in South Korea! The Third Infiltration Tunnel is an area that explicitly prohibits taking photos.

In fact, you will be asked to leave your phone and camera in a locker during your visit, free of charge. The other restriction to bear in mind is to never, under any circumstance take photos of the North Korean soldiers which is also prohibited. Otherwise, unless advised against, you are free to take photos inside the DMZ.

Is this a fashion statement? Not exactly. The mandatory military attire of South Korean soldiers includes a helmet for protection and a pair of dark sunglasses. In other words, the sunglasses are the small accessory that helps South Korean soldiers achieve a look of neutrality, without their faces giving away hints of information. Here, you will see opposing soldiers stand face-to-face! The JSA is heavily regulated.

Remember to make reservations 72 hours in advance, take note of the dress code and the youngest person in your group needs to be years-old or above. They were installed during the Korean War, between In , efforts began to remove landmines from both sides of the DMZ. The entire region of the Demilitarized Zone has been secured and is safe for tourism.

The South Korea DMZ has plenty of activities for those looking to understand geopolitics and history. On a typical DMZ trip, you will see Imjingak Park which was built as a safe space where the newly arrived refugees from North Korea received consolation. This is a wonderful spot to take photos! You will have the chance to literally walk through history as you cross the Bridge of Freedom, erected in , used to liberate 12, prisoners!

Another sight not to be missed is the Third Infiltration Tunnel. Odusan Unification Observatory is one of the most accessible observatories from Seoul. Located at a summit overlooking the meeting point of the Imjingang and Hangang Rivers, this observatory served as an important strategic facility for soldiers to observe and protect both Gaeseong and Seoul. North Korean land can be seen in detail across the river with the assistance of the binoculars on-site. Yanggu Unification Hall displays items and photographs of daily life in North Korea.

The hall was founded to serve as an educational center to help with the unification process. Visitors can also purchase North Korean items and unification souvenirs. The view from the observation deck includes five peaks of Geumgangsan Mountain in North Korea, known to be one of the most beautiful mountains on the Korean peninsula.

The observatory is also considered one of the best places to view Punch Bowl basin, shrouded in mist. Yanggu is home to some of the fiercest battlegrounds from the Korean War. To commemorate the battle and the lives lost, the Yanggu War Memorial Museum was built. The exhibition hall displays over weapons and other items from the war. The museum also features a corner showcasing testimonies from survivors, giving a glimpse into how life was like during the war. In , the fourth infiltration tunnel dug by the North Korean Army was discovered.

Visitors can enter the tunnel only as far as meters from the DMZ, where a blockade has been placed to close the tunnel. Nowadays, the Joint Security Area primarily a tourist attraction and one of the few places where tourists can set foot inside North Korea.

Landmines were cleared from the area in , and personnel working there are no longer armed. Kaesong was meant to be a place where raw materials from the south could be assembled into finished products and re-exported to the south. For about a year, freight trains carried raw materials to Kaesong and returned with finished goods. Those trains passed Dorason Station, a commuter train station built to one day connect North and South Korean rail systems.

Today, a handful of trains from Seoul terminate at Dorason Station. The 3rd Tunnel was a North Korean effort discovered in An estimated 30, soldiers could move through the tunnel every hour. Visitors can enter the tunnel either by walking or by a monorail.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.