'Just show up': Inside the limited-edition caravan suites at Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground

Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground's new 'Caravan Suite Zone'

Spacious 8-by-12-meter units — only six available

Full amenities and private BBQ areas included

Lottery-based bookings open for the first time in September

The new caravans debuting in September [Kim Myung-sang]

At the far end of Jayuro highway, a cool breeze drifts across the crimson-tinged waters of the Imjin River and through the wire fences marking the edge of the civilian control zone.

A place once defined by the solemnity of security tourism has been reborn as a weekend retreat filled with the warmth of families and couples. The everyday peace found at the very threshold of a divided nation carries a particular tenderness precisely because of where it stands.

A sanctuary for 120,000 visitors beyond the tension of the wire

Interior of the new caravan at Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground [Kim Myung-sang]

Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, is entering its third year under direct management by Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, which took over operations in 2023. The site has firmly established itself as one of the greater Seoul area's premier camping destinations, drawing about 120,000 visitors last year alone.

This September, the campground is set to take another leap forward with the launch of an expanded "Caravan Suite Zone."

The new zone will operate with just six units, and its specifications set it clearly apart from existing caravans. While standard caravan sites measured 8 by 8 meters or 8 by 10 meters, the suite zone units stretch to 8 by 12 meters. The upgrade is not simply a matter of swapping out aging caravans for new ones — the entire spatial layout has been redesigned from scratch.

Interior of the new caravan at Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground, equipped with a sofa, table and refrigerator for a comfortable stay [Kim Myung-sang]

Inside, the caravan opens up like an apartment living room. A double bed and two sets of single bunk beds are arranged separately, giving each member of a family of four their own sleeping space. With the sofa and floor area, the unit can accommodate up to six guests.

Guests need only bring toiletries and groceries — everything else is provided. The unit comes fully equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, electric rice cooker and electric kettle, along with a full set of cooking utensils. Amenities include a wall-mounted TV, motorized blackout curtains, a heating and cooling air conditioner, and a private shower room.

A dedicated outdoor barbecue area beside one of the new caravans [Kim Myung-sang]

The outdoor layout also stands out for its privacy. Generous spacing between units addresses the noise and sightline issues common at conventional campgrounds. Each caravan has its own dedicated outdoor barbecue area, set apart from neighboring sites to ensure a fully independent dining experience.

"Because so many guests have already visited, we wanted to make a bold change to the facilities and offer something genuinely new," a campground official said. "We designed it so that people would think, 'I have to book that spot next time' — and even returning visitors will find something fresh and exciting."

Nature and history within easy reach

A sculpture installation at Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground [Korea Tourism Organization]

Beyond the suite zone, Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground boasts solid supporting infrastructure. A service building operates around the clock, housing indoor sinks, restrooms and recycling facilities, as well as a dump station for processing camper van wastewater and replenishing water supplies.

Any missing supplies can be purchased or rented at the on-site convenience store. The selection ranges from grill sets — including a grill, charcoal, fire starters, a grate and gloves — to bonfire sets featuring a fire pit, firewood and color-flame powder for a decorative campfire effect.

The glamping zone at Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground [Korea Tourism Organization]

The campground offers a wide range of camping styles. In addition to caravans, guests can choose from a glamping zone for a hassle-free stay without gear, a tarp zone less affected by weather, and a shelter zone with individual privacy screens — giving campers plenty of options to match their preferred style.

Some of the existing caravans have been transformed into "art caravans," painted in vivid colors by artists selected through a youth artist support program run by the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation. "We started with just two units as a pilot," a campground official said. "The response has been so positive that we plan to gradually expand the concept and give more units a distinctive, fun look over the long term."

The steam locomotive of the Gyeongui Line's Jangdan Station [Kim Myung-sang]

One of Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground's greatest draws is the wealth of nearby attractions for families. A roughly 10-minute walk along the trail behind the caravans leads to Supulnuri, an ecological and cultural space. Nearby, Nurisung Adventure Village features a zip line and a children's adventure playground, making the area well suited for families traveling with young children.

An installation artwork at Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Park [Kim Myung-sang]

Looking further afield, historic sites tied to Korea's modern history are close at hand — among them Panmunjeom, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, the Imjingak Dokgae Bridge, Camp Greaves, the Imjingak Peace Gondola and the Odusan Unification Observatory. The area serves as a compelling history and security education travel itinerary that goes well beyond simple relaxation, inviting visitors to reflect on the reality of division and the value of peace.

The campground is also becoming a place to connect with visitors from around the world. It has been stepping up efforts to attract international tourists, welcoming about 1,600 foreign visitors last year and this year building a network of 31 travel agencies to broaden its reach.

Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, which operates the campground, signed an MOU on Friday with Minikan Camping & Mobility, a company specializing in camper van tourism, to promote extended DMZ stays for individual foreign travelers. Under the agreement, package products will be rolled out in stages, allowing tourists to rent a camper van, stay one or two nights at Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground and explore the DMZ area at their own pace.

The Welcome Center, the main information hub at Pyeonghwa Nuri Campground [Korea Tourism Organization]

Reservations for the Caravan Suite Zone open Tuesday at 4 p.m. through the campground's official website, with stays available from Thursday. Nightly rates for the new caravans are 160,000 won ($116) on weekdays (Sunday through Thursday) and 260,000 won on weekends (Friday, Saturday, public holidays and the day before substitute holidays). Bookings are allocated entirely by lottery, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Choi Oe-seok, head of the campground operations team at Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, said weekend lottery competition during the peak autumn foliage season in September and October can reach dozens of applicants per slot. "If you avoid the fiercely contested weekends and opt for a weekday stay, your chances of winning the draw improve significantly — and you'll be able to enjoy a more relaxed visit," he said.

terry@heraldcorp.com