We booked the DMZ Tour thru sunburstkorea. Pick-up is at Hongik Univ. Station, Exit 3, there we joined
other individuals joining the tour. We took a mini-bus all the way to Paju
area.
First stop, Imjingak and Freedom Bridge, here
one can see a lot of photos and articles showing life in North Korea. If
includes ware fare and other remnants of the war. [Reference]
The tour guide mentioned his grandfather came from North Korea but he left his riches to flee to South Korea. He would rather have his life than his riches gotten and have himself killed.
He also mentioned that founder of Hyundai came from North Korea, and he sponsored the building of unification bridge.
Second stop is the 3rd Tunnel of Aggression (or 3rd Infiltration Tunnel) is one of four known tunnels under the border. Tourists/visitors may walk down the long steep inclined tunnel. Make sure to wear the hard hat they provide and be prepared for a long walk towards a narrow tunnel. If you are a short stature, it will appear easy to walk since you don't have to be mindful of the low rocky ceiling. But, if you are taller let's say more than 5 feet, please be mindful of your head as you walk along because there are sections where you may need to bow a little. At the end you may take a peak at the border thru a small window. Since this is a group tour, we need to be conscious of time. Though I felt that the time allotted in this stop is way too short for the tourist to walk to back and forth the tunnel, roughly 30 minutes was allotted here. Honestly I think this portion is a tourist trap. If you do not feel walking and waiting for a long queue, you may just forego going down the tunnel. By the way taking photograph is forbidden here.
He also mentioned that founder of Hyundai came from North Korea, and he sponsored the building of unification bridge.
Second stop is the 3rd Tunnel of Aggression (or 3rd Infiltration Tunnel) is one of four known tunnels under the border. Tourists/visitors may walk down the long steep inclined tunnel. Make sure to wear the hard hat they provide and be prepared for a long walk towards a narrow tunnel. If you are a short stature, it will appear easy to walk since you don't have to be mindful of the low rocky ceiling. But, if you are taller let's say more than 5 feet, please be mindful of your head as you walk along because there are sections where you may need to bow a little. At the end you may take a peak at the border thru a small window. Since this is a group tour, we need to be conscious of time. Though I felt that the time allotted in this stop is way too short for the tourist to walk to back and forth the tunnel, roughly 30 minutes was allotted here. Honestly I think this portion is a tourist trap. If you do not feel walking and waiting for a long queue, you may just forego going down the tunnel. By the way taking photograph is forbidden here.
Third stop is Dora Observatory. They say this is the closest part of South Korea to North. Thru the use of binoculars, one can take a peek at what they call as North's propaganda village. Flag poles of the two countries stand tall and proud across each other.
Fourth stop, Dorasan Station. It is the station that is
supposed to connect railroads of South and North Korea sometime in the future,
when they find peace hopefully in this lifetime. If that happens South Korea
will be connected in branch lines of Trans Eurasian Railway Network. That may mean people from South Korea may reach London via North Korea, China, Russia and the rest of Europe.
The tour was finished by 1PM and we were dropped
off Hongik Univ. station.
Updated:
During critical times like if there were military exercises or events being held on the area, plus if there were incidents like defectors trying to move to South, expect that your tour might be cancelled. Or in some cases, the JSA or DMZ tours are no longer available for that week or so. [Read to know more]