Imjingak peace park

By the DMZ Tour Tickets Editorial Team · Published from Seoul, South Korea

Quick answerImjingak is a peace park on the edge of the civilian control line, gathering memorials, monuments and family stories from the divided peninsula. Because it sits outside the controlled military zone, it can be visited without passing the checkpoint, which makes it the common first or last stop of a DMZ tour. Alongside the Freedom Bridge and the Bell of Peace, a gondola now crosses the Imjin River toward the border.

Memorials and the Bell of Peace

Imjingak is dotted with memorials to divided families and to those lost in the Korean War, along with the Bell of Peace that visitors can ring in a wish for reunification. It is a reflective, open space rather than a fenced site.

The Freedom Bridge and gondola

The moving Freedom Bridge, hung with ribbons and messages, stands within the park. A modern gondola carries visitors across the Imjin River toward the edge of the control line for wider views over the border landscape.

Visiting Imjingak

Because it is outside the checkpoint, Imjingak can be reached on your own, but it is included on most DMZ tours as the gateway stop. It is family friendly and a gentle introduction before the more controlled sites deeper in the zone. There are cafes, open lawns and space for children to run, so many groups linger here longer than they expect before or after the checkpoint sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Imjingak without a DMZ tour?

Yes. Imjingak sits outside the controlled military zone, so you can reach it independently. Going deeper into the DMZ to the Third Tunnel still requires a guided tour.

What can you do at Imjingak?

See the Freedom Bridge, the war memorials and the Bell of Peace, ride the gondola across the Imjin River and take in views toward the border.

Is Imjingak good for families?

Yes. It is an open park with easy walking, memorials, a gondola and space to move around, making it one of the more relaxed and child friendly DMZ stops.