The DMZ

The Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, is the heavily fortified strip of land that has divided North and South Korea since the armistice that paused the Korean War in 1953, and remains one of the most tense borders on earth. Visited only on organised tours from Seoul, it offers a sobering glimpse into the divided peninsula, taking in observation points looking into the North, an infiltration tunnel dug by the North, and, when accessible, the Joint Security Area at the truce village of Panmunjom.

What you actually see

• The observation points - the viewpoints looking across into North Korea.
• The infiltration tunnels - a tunnel dug by the North beneath the border.
• Panmunjom (JSA) - the truce village and its blue negotiation huts, when open.
• The Dora Station and bridge - the poignant symbols of a divided land.

When to go

Year-round; the DMZ is visited only on organised tours, which must be booked in advance and require your passport.

Honest expectations

There are dress-code and conduct rules. It is a sombre, geopolitical site rather than a scenic one, but a powerful and thought-provoking one.

Nearby

Seoul is an hour or so south; the border runs across the peninsula.