[2025 Paju-si Attraction] Travel Guide for Dora Observatory (Updated Aug)

Dora observatory is an observation post overlooking North Korea located in 310 Je3(sam) ttanggul-ro, Jangdan-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Dora Observatory is on the South Korean side of the 38th parallel. Situated on top of Dorasan (Mount Dora) in Paju, the observatory provides scenic views across the Demilitarized Zone. Visitors can see the North Korea territory through binoculars from the 304 square feet, 500-person capacity observatory. They are able to see the North Korean propaganda village situated in the DMZ, and can also see the city of Kaesong. The observatory is very close to the Third North Korean Infiltration Tunnel dug by North Koreans into the South. The Dorasan Station, also nearby, is designed to be the station that connects the railroads of the South and North one day in the future. #fallingforfall #tripblazers #urbanexplorer #bucketlistreboot

Visiting the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) on a guided tour was one of the most memorable and eye-opening experiences of our trip to Korea. It’s not every day you get so close to one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world—and yet the tour was surprisingly smooth and well-organized from start to finish. One of the highlights was entering the Third Infiltration Tunnel, which North Korea had secretly dug with the intent of making a surprise invasion. Walking down the steep, dimly lit path into the tunnel was surreal. Hard hats were provided—and needed—as the ceilings were low. It was a bit of a workout going down (and especially coming back up!), but being down there gave us a real sense of how serious and tense things have been between the two Koreas. We also visited other key sites like the Dora Observatory, where we could peer across the border into North Korea through telescopes, and Dorasan Station, a symbolic train station meant to one day reconnect the two countries. Each stop on the tour was both informative and thought-provoking. Our guide did a great job explaining the historical and political context in a way that was easy to understand. The tour struck a good balance between somber reflection and fascinating insight. Overall, the DMZ tour isn’t just another sightseeing stop—it’s a deep dive into Korea’s complex past and present. Visiting the Third Tunnel was both physically and emotionally impactful, and I’d recommend it to anyone wanting to go beyond the usual tourist trail in Korea. #summervacay #DMZTour #ThirdInfiltrationTunnel #KoreaHistory #DMZExperience #BorderZoneTour #SeoulDayTrips #KoreanWarHistory #DorasanStation #DoraObservatory #UnforgettableKorea #SouthKoreaTravel #korea #koreatrip #seoul #seoultrip

#Let's go abroad I couldn't see the DMZ or North Korea, so I just bought souvenirs. There were great discounts on cosmetics that I don't think are sold in Seoul or Myeongdong. Packs are cheaper in the city.

#springitinerary Visiting the DMZ in spring is one of those “wow, I’m really here” moments. The weather’s great, sunny but not too hot, and everything’s turning green, which makes the contrast between the peaceful scenery and heavy history even more surreal. You’ll get a mix of military stuff, historical sites, and oddly beautiful landscapes. The Third Tunnel and Dora Observatory are super interesting, like, you’re literally looking into North Korea. Kinda wild. The guides give solid info without making it feel like a lecture, and the whole experience is both chill and thought-provoking. It’s not your typical vacation spot, but definitely worth it if you’re into history, politics, or just unique travel experiences. Bonus: spring means fewer crowds and clearer skies for better views. You’ll leave with a bunch of cool pics and even more to think about. Serious place, but also a super memorable one.

Dora Observatory is where you can feel the history of the Korean Peninsula. There is a telescope🔭 there, and you can even see North Korea. There are flags of South Korea🇰🇷 and North Korea🇰🇵, so you can roughly tell that there is a border with the river between them. North Korea is still tense. From South Korea, North Korea looks somehow lonely and simple. There is also the Third Tunnel, which North Korea dug with the intention of invading South Korea, and inside the tunnel you can see the painful traces of dynamite used. Photography is not allowed inside the tunnel, but we recommend joining the DMZ tour to learn about the history of the Korean Peninsula. ✈︎---------------------------------------------✈︎ 📍: Dora Observatory, Paju City 📸: Canon EOS 5D MarkⅣ, iPhone 13 Pro ✈︎---------------------------------------------✈︎ #RecommendedKorea2024 #Korea #KoreaTourism #NorthKorea #dmz #dmztour #Dora #ThirdTunnel

#Seoul Attractions The Dora Observatory is like an excellent visual high ground for overlooking the sea. A line of bay scenery slowly unfolds before your eyes, and the blue sky and blue sea complement each other, forming a painting of the lofty and vast bay. 🌊🏞️ When you step onto the observation deck, your view opens up over the railings and you can see the unobstructed blue sea and bay. Looking from afar, the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the sea, and the sea and sky are covered with a golden radiance, as if a freehand watercolor painting is slowly unfolding before your eyes. 🌇🎨 #BoundlessVision #FreehandSunshine Walking into this high-altitude observation deck, whether it is the vast and open bay view or the warm and small life scene, it will surely bring you a pleasing visual feast. 🚪🗽 #VisualFeast #Scenery

#TravelWithMe #DMZ #TripToKorea I took part in a DMZ tour from Seoul. The weather was great, and from the observation deck I could see the entire Military Demarcation Line... I could clearly see the flags of South Korea and North Korea❣ It was interesting to learn about the history that I thought I knew, but didn't, and visit the places and walk through the tunnel... an experience that can only be had here. The weather is important, so I recommend choosing a season to go. Also, the tunnel is a gentle slope, so it's quite a strenuous hike. Please wear comfortable shoes.

#seoul When I took a tour to visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in South Korea, Dora observatory was one of the main highlights not to be missed! The Dora observatory is located on the top of Mount Dora in Paju and visitors can use binoculars to see the North Korean territory. On a windy day, visitors can even see South Korea’s and North Korea’s flags flying on their respective flagpoles through binoculars. My rating of this attraction: 4 ⭐️ out of 5!

A place where the heart becomes serious.