Dora Observatory, Military observation point in Paju, South Korea
The Dora Observatory is a three-story observation facility in Paju with viewing platforms and telescopes for observing North Korean territory across the Demilitarized Zone. The building includes an amphitheater space indoors where visitors can gather to learn about the border region and its geography.
The observatory opened in 1998 following the armistice agreement of 1953 that created the Demilitarized Zone after the Korean War. It stands as a physical reminder of Korea's partition and the ongoing division marked by this heavily monitored border.
The facility displays photographs and documents that tell the story of Korea's division through exhibitions and guided presentations. Visitors encounter the lived experience of separation through personal accounts and educational materials about daily life on both sides of the border.
Visitors must present identification documents and follow security protocols due to the sensitive border location. Allow extra time for security checks and bring valid ID to ensure smooth entry to the site.
With binoculars mounted at viewing points, visitors can see into the North Korean city of Kaesong and spot a 160-meter flagpole in the propaganda village of Gijeong-dong. This tangible proximity offers a striking contrast to the political separation between the two nations.
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