Unsettled Peace: Korea's DMZ
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Port
Sokcho, South Korea
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$260
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 7 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Built by an Army unit in 1983, Goseong Unification Observatory is the closest place for viewing Geumgangsan Mountain in North Korea, just ten miles away. From the observatory, you can see Haegeumgang, and Manmulsang and Hyeonjongam islands nearby. On a clear day, you can also glimpse various peaks of Geumgangsan Mountain. Many people visiting the observatory had to leave their homes in North Korea and were separated from their families during the Korean War. You can see monuments built in the hope of reunification here.
Tongil Security Park, at the entrance of the Unification Observatory, was built in 1987 as a national security site. You must pass through a security checkpoint here.
Although the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Museum speaks to a painful past, the museum today celebrates the latest efforts made to transform the DMZ from a place of political scars into a symbol of peace and ecology. The museum features exhibition halls arranged under various themes that highlight the historical significance of the DMZ and its value as a treasure trove of ecological significance for the future.
Visit the Sokcho Tourist Fish Market — a must-do spot with lively alleys offering fresh seafood, local produce, and snacks such as spicy fried chicken.
Please note:
Bring your passport on tour. You will not enter the DMZ or North Korea on this tour. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water.