Military Demarcation Line Tour

What to expect

Our Military Demarcation Line tour (MDL tour) is a 6-hour escape into the DMZ. It is packed with a range of attractions and experiences containing remnants of the Korean War to give you a taste of what it was like, and is like today.

During our MDL tour in Korea, you will have the opportunity to peak across the border into cryptic North Korea and enjoy a range of interactive experiences.

The tour starts with our complimentary hotel pickup service. Simply meet your driver at your hotel lobby, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Located just 7 km away from the military demarcation line, we’ll first visit Imjingak Resort, a key area in Korean history.

We’ll then drop by a few key locations, including Mangbaedan Altar, Freedom Bridge, The Bell of Peace, the iconic Dokgae Bridge, and discover a concealed exhibition hall hidden in a wartime bunker.

Next, we’ll move onto Odusan Unification Tower to get a good look into the secretive North Korean state and see a North Korean Life Exhibition.

For the final stop on our Military Demarcation Line tour, we’ll head to the War Memorial of Korea (Korean War Museum).

At the end of the tour, we can drop you off at City Hall or in Itaewon. Both are central and convenient places to continue with your day.

MDL tour – Course Overview

Our MDL tour is one of our high-quality tours of the DMZ and is a great option with no shopping stops. In addition, it can also be an excellent alternative to our popular DMZ Half Day tour and JSA tour when political or military restrictions stop us from running those tours.

Let’s take a look at the highlights of this experience.

Imjingak Resort Park

Imjingak, located just 7 km from the demarcation line, harbours a range of attractions, historical artefacts, war documents, important monuments and statues of the Korean War.

Built back in 1972, it provides an area to console families separated by this tragic conflict.

The three-story main observatory building is surrounded by various attractions, including the Korean Peninsula Peace Pond, North Korean Centre and even a small amusement park.

Mangbaedan Altar

Mangbaedan Altar is located near Freedom Bridge at Imjingak Park and is a memorial used by displaced Koreans wishing to pay respects to family members still in North Korea.

If visiting during major Korean national holidays like Korean Thanksgiving Day and Luna New Year’s Day, you may notice families visiting to perform ancestral rites such as bowing in the direction of their hometown in North Korea.

This memorial holds sad memories of the Korean Conflict and families living through separation caused by the War.

The Bridge of Freedom

The Bridge of Freedom was a temporary wooden bridge hastily erected to allow for the exchange of Prisoners of War (POW) after the Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953.

It was used by roughly 12,773 Korean and UN POWs returning to South Korea, crossing the Imjin River.

The bridge initially started life as a South-bound railway bridge but was destroyed during the aggression of the Korean War. With only its piers remaining, the Bridge of Freedom was then erected in its place.

The name of this bridge was said to have come from the POWs who shouted “Long live freedom!” as they crossed back over into South Korea.

Peace Bell

Peace Bell was completed in 2000 to welcome the new millennium. It was built to symbolise and pray for the peace of the entire human race and re-unify the divided Korean Peninsula.

Each year, a bell-tolling event takes place here to celebrate the New Year and act as a reminder of the dreadful atrocities and damage caused by the war and encourage future peace.

Dokgae Bridge

Dokgae bridge was first built in 1906 as the north-bound railway bridge which crossed over the Imjin River. However, since being severely damaged through the war and not being used, it was decided to build a new skywalk upon its remaining piers.

It symbolises the pain of war and separation while offering an attraction that depicts the past, present, and future.

At the very end, there is also a two-floor observatory where you can see views of the foot of Dokgae Bridge, Imjin River, its broader ecosystem and the Southside Civilian Restricted Zone.

Beat 131 Bunker Exhibition Hall

Beat 131 Bunker was an actively used military bunker during the Korean War and has now been converted into an exhibition hall while still maintaining its original form.

Upon entering, you will immediately feel the eerie atmosphere that comes with such a military structure, which is indeed its goal.

On reaching the bottom of the basement, you will find a space giving the appearance of a wartime command room and a situation room. You’ll also find many military items and remnants on display, including weapons, safety equipment, communication devices and helmets containing bullet holes.

There are also interactive media experiences, including authentic sound bites and real-time video of the DMZ and North Korean villages.

Being a bunker, it’s not very spacious, so those who feel claustrophobic may not wish to enter.

Odusan Unification Tower

Odusan Unification Tower is located at the top of Mount Odu, roughly 118m above sea level. Situated alongside the narrowest part of the DMZ, it lies just 460 metres away from North Korea, where the Han River meets Imjin River.

There are two main things to do here. Firstly, the Observatory provides wide-ranging views from Gaeseong in North Korea to 63 Building in Seoul. Opened in 1992, it offers high-powered binoculars on the upper deck to help you gaze across the river into North Korea.

Secondly, there is a North Korean Life Exhibition, showcasing North Korean products you can purchase and depicting the everyday life of North Korean people.

The tower comprises 5 floors with various photos and computerised screens showing the stark reality of North Korea.

War Memorial of Korea (Korea War Museum)

The War Memorial of Korea is not to be missed! It is the largest globally, with military weaponry and equipment from different countries on display, including some exhibits from World War 2 and the Vietnam War.

The grounds making up this Korean War Museum also used to be the headquarters of the Korean Infantry.

The museum serves as a national moral educational venue and was established on June 10, 1994, to commemorate the noble sacrifice of patriotic martyrs.

The War Memorial of Korea contains approximately 33,000 artefacts with roughly 10,000 on display, both indoor and outdoor. There is also a range of visual, audio and interactive experiences on offer, including the Cinema theatre, F-15K 3D experience, Operation Chromite 4D experience, Steller’s Sea Eagle protection exhibition, and battlefield experience.

Are you looking for an experience you won’t forget during your holiday in Korea? Then join us on our Military Demarcation Line tour to learn about the Korean War with interactive experiences and a trip to the DMZ.