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From October 1, 2004, a bus leaves for
the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from the Incheon Airport
daily at 8 am. The bus carries domestic and foreign
passengers on transit at Incheon International Airport
to a short sightseeing trip to the DMZ, offering a chance
to make the most out of their limited transit time.
The DMZ Transit Tour covers the 3rd Infiltration
Tunnel, Dora Observation Platform, the Bridge of Freedom,
and Imjingak, and takes about 2 hours. The price of
the package is US$18 (or 21,000 won), which includes
all admissions and transportation. The tour starts at
8 am from the B2 Gate on the first floor of Incheon
International Airport and ends at 12:30 pm on the 3rd
floor of the airport. The package includes an English
guide as well as general and historical background information
on the DMZ.
Making arrangements for an individual
visit to the DMZ from the Incheon International Airport
can be quite frustrating, as it requires visitors to
travel all the way down to Seoul and take another bus
to Imjingak. To spare visitors of such inconvenience
and offer them a more convenient and pleasant trip to
the DMZ, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization has organized
this DMZ Transit Tour.
Nathan, an American working
for the Korea National Tourism Organization, recounts
his experience on the DMZ Transit Tour.
* Flow of the DMZ Transit Tour *
Apply for the Tour
⇒ Depart from Incheon International Airport
⇒ 3rd Infiltration Tunnel ⇒ Dora Observation
Platform ⇒ Imjingak Bridge of Freedom ⇒
Return to Incheon International Airport |
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| Nathan’s How to Best Enjoy the DMZ Transit Tour! |
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 1.
Apply for the Tour
Application is received on a first-come
first-served basis up until 10 minutes before the tour departure
at the Gyeonggi Tourism Information Center in front of Arrival Terminal
Gate B2 on the first floor of Incheon International Airport. Pay
US$18 for the tour and then fill out an application form. Application
is quite easy, as it requires only a few simple items of information
like your passport number, full name, and country of residence. |
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 2.
Get on the Bus
The total traveling time to Imjingak
is approximately 70 minutes. As you ride on the bus listening to
the information provided by the tour guide, the ride will seem even
shorted. You will ride on a 45-seat bus, which has bigger passenger
space than normal domestic buses for the convenience of foreign
visitors. The bus has enough space to accommodate all the luggage
of the tour participants. And the good part of it is that you don’t
have to worry at all about your heavy luggage until the end of the
tour, as they will be securely kept in the bus. Just relax and enjoy
the tour!. |
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3.
The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel
The 3rd Infiltration
Tunnel was first discovered by Kim Bu-seong, a North Korean who
defected in 1975. It is 2 meters wide and 1,635 meters long, and
has the capacity to infiltrate 10,000 armed soldiers into the South
in an hour.
When visiting the tunnel, you must store all of
your belongings except your valuables and camera in a locker at
the entrance of the tunnel. Note that photographing in the tunnel
is strictly prohibited, so it’s more convenient not to carry your
camera. |
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Before
entering the tunnel, all visitors must put on a helmet. You can
adjust the strap of your helmet by using the screw at the back of
the helmet. You will reach the tunnel after a 10-minute walk on
a 300-meter downward path. |
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There
are two ways to the tunnel: one using the monorail and the other
going down by foot. But since the monorail schedule does not coincide
with our tour schedule, all DMZ Transit Tour visitors will go down
the tunnel by foot.
The temperature inside the tunnel is rather
warm compared to the outside temperature in winter, and quite cool
in summer. Because of the temperature difference with the outside,
there is always vapor inside the tunnel, which makes the floor almost
always wet. Watch your step as you go down because the floor can
be quite slippery. You also have to watch your head, as the ceiling
of the tunnel is low so you may hit your head. |
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After
walking through the tunnel, you will be ushered into the DMZ Theatre
where you can watch a film featuring the weaponry that were used
during the Korean War and various items that provide a glimpse into
the daily life in North Korea. |
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 4.
Dora Observation Platform
Weather permitting, visitors
can see the city of Gaeseong in North Korea without binoculars.
The Dora Observation Platform is the northernmost observatory in
South Korea from which visitors can witness life in North Korea.
You can also see Mt. Songaksan in Gaeseong and Gijeongdong Village,
a village promoting the North Korean life. |
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At
the platform, you will notice a photo line painted in yellow. All
photos must be taken within the photo line, and note that photographing
is forbidden during the explanation session by the military.
The
medicinal water fountain called ‘manghyangsu (Water of Nostalgia)’
not only soothes the grief of those who have lost their hometown
and come here to see their homeland but also quenches the thirst
of tourists. Don’t forget to drink some before leaving.
Click
here to learn more about the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel and Dora Observation
Platform>> |
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5.
Bridge of Freedom
Until 1998, the Bridge of Freedom
was the only bridge over Imjingang River. The Bridge of Freedom
got its name when 13,000 war prisoners shouted "Hurray Freedom!"
as they returned home crossing the bridge following the Armistice
Agreement in 1953. The bridge is located at Imjingak. |
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 During
the tour, visitors are given the opportunity to tie a ribbon on
the bridge to wish for unification. You can write down your own
message for unification on a piece of yellow hanji paper (traditional
Korean paper), fold it nicely and tie it to the bridge.
From
the Bridge of Freedom, you can see the train that runs up to Dorasan
Station. And downstream, you will see an artificial pond in the
shape of the Korean Peninsula.
When you have seen the Bridge
of Freedom, you have completed your DMZ Transit Tour and the time
has arrived to get on the bus and return to Incheon International
Airport. When you get back to the airport, it will be just in time
for lunch. Lunch is not included in the tour, so you will have to
buy your own lunch. Inside the airport, there are many good restaurants,
ranging from fast foods, Korean, Japanese, Western, and Chinese
cuisine. Choose your favorite and enjoy a delicious lunch! |
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| The DMZ Transit Tour is no longer in operation.
A new tour program is currently being developed. |
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| Photo gallery |
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| < Nathan writes a personal wish for freedom on a
yellow ribbon > |
< Barbed-wire fence at Freedom Bridge > |
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| < Ribbons placed along fence near Freedom Bridge
> |
< Train to Dorasan Station > |
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| < Plaque at Freedom Bridge > |
< Medicinal water fountain at Dorasan Observation
Platform > |
| The DMZ Transit Tour is no longer in operation.
A new tour program is currently being developed. |
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