The Bridge of Freedom The remains of the Bridge of Freedom located at Imjingak Park inside the DMZ Freedom Bridge was originally built as one in a pair of railway bridges (one heading North and one heading South) across the Imjin River. However, the bridges were destroyed during the conflict of the Korean War. Later, after the Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953, a hastily built temporary wooden bridge was erected in place of the South heading rail bridge to exchange Prisoners of War (POW). About 12,773 Korean and UN POWs returned to South Korea by crossing this bridge. The bridge received its name after the POW shouted, “Long live freedom!” as they stepped back onto the Southside of the bridge. The temporary wooden Freedom Bridge has since been demolished, leaving just its piers, while the adjacent Imjin Railway Bridge has been rebuilt and now serves as part of the rail line track between Munsan Station and Dorasan Station.

A stop not to be missed on our itinerary is the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. Located 12 kilometres away from Munsan and 52 from Seoul, the tunnel was discovered in 1978. Its purpose was to be used to invade the south. At 1,635 metres long, 2 metres high and 2 wide, the tunnel has the capacity of moving an entire division per hour! The curious fact here is that when the tunnel was discovered, North Korea alleged that the south had built it for a surprise attack, but evidence points to the contrary. Walking through will feel like you’ve stepped back in time! If you aren’t comfortable with closed spaces, you’re welcome to wait by the exit.

Sitting at the top of Dorasan, the Observatory is ideal for looking across the border. This is the part closest to the North and is one of travellers’ favourite highlights on the tour! Use the high powered binoculars on the third floor for extra precision. You will be able to see the North’s propaganda village located right inside the DMZ and see as far as Gaesong, the ninth-largest city in North Korea. If you’re lucky to be here on a clear day, you’ll get to see the bronze statue of Kim Il-sung, too!

OPTIONAL : Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola Completed in 2020, the Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola offers a birds-eye view of the DMZ while carrying its passengers across the Imjin River. The DMZ Gondola experience goes beyond the Civilian Control Line, and therefore passengers will be required to bring their passport or identification documents. Each Gondola can carry up to 10 people, and some have a crystal (transparent glass) bottom providing an even great visibility range during the 850-metre long trip. Overall the Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola provides an excellent view of the DMZ and allows you to see many of the main sites from a unique vantage point, including a glance at Camp Greaves. Camp Greaves was the filming location of the drama “Descendants of the Sun”, as well as being famous for being home to the 506th Regiment where the main character of the drama “Band of Brothers” and “Saving Private Ryan” were stationed.

OPTIONAL : Red Suspension Bridge (Popular & Well Reviewed) The Gamaksan Red Suspension Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Korea at 220m long and 1.5m wide. It can hold up to 900 adults and is constructed to withstand 30 metres per second winds and earthquakes of up to 7 magnitude. Its stunning scenic views make it the perfect spot to capture beautiful photos, and it is always well-received. Previous guests always recommend this option in reviews and often comment on how picturesque it is, that it was a highlight for them, and that the “bridge was a view to remember.”