DMZ

Nowhere is the tension between North and South Korea more palpable than in the no-man’s-land known as the Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. As a divided nation, only 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) separate the North from the South in what is the most heavily armed border on earth. The 150-mile (241-kilometer) zone has served as a buffer since the 1953 cease-fire agreement between the United Nations and North Korea that put the Korean War on hold. Even with its past, the area is quite safe for tourists and is one of the most fascinating day trip options often taken from Seoul.
The DMZ can only be visited as part of an organized, guided tour, during which travelers get the chance to see the Joint Security Area, also known as Panmunjom, where the North and South met for peace talks during the war. Here travelers can see both North Korean and South Korean soldiers each guarding their respective sides of the DMZ.

Practical Info

Because the only way to visit the DMZ is via an organized tour, it is a good idea to book well in advance. The site is about an hour and a half away from Seoul, and despite being the world’s most heavily armed border, it is a safe area for tourists.