DMZ
4.5
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Top ways to experience DMZ
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Best nearby
Restaurants
3 within 3 miles
Attractions
12 within 6 miles
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- CarolinaTucson, Arizona483 contributionsHistorical site! Cannot miss this!The tour organizer picked us up very early for our tour. It took most of the morning and early afternoon to do this because of logistics the moment that it opens at 9am. We were picked up at 6:20am, needed to pick others up snd then it took 1 hr to get there. We had time to eat breakfast and wait gir the office to open at 9. They only have few busses that will take you there after you get your tickets at 9. They have to check your passport and then you are given a seat in the bus with your guide. Incredible to be able to go down in the tunnel and learn so much about History. It was amazing to see that in person.Visited December 2022Traveled with familyWritten December 27, 2022
- Oral Cetin5 contributionsThank you for your guide and effort!Thank you Jenny! Our guide Jenny didn't just informed us about the "DMZ". She also told us many things about the South Korean culture. She also gave us enough time to explore the place by ourselves and the tour ended by time. It was not too short and not too long. Just perfect! Ee enjoyed the tour very much!Visited March 2023Traveled with familyWritten March 16, 2023
- CatherineGlasgow, United Kingdom128 contributionsAbsolutely the Best Experience!We had a wonderful time. Our guide (Dora) was so educated and really helped make the trip valuable, with her interesting details. She was very professional and this made our day something we will always remember. The trip allowed us to learn so much about the Korean War and again, Dora was full of knowledge. On the day itself, Pak arrived at our hotel and took us in his car to the DMZ, where we met up with our tour - thanks for your kindness in this. I would highly recommend choosing this company if you want to fully enjoy the experience - it made the trip to South Korea for my daughter and I something we will treasure. We visited the Observation Tower, the museum, the Unification Bridge and there was shopping at the DMZ village too. On the way back, the bus dropped us at City Hall - a 15 minute walk to our hotel in Insadong. Thank you all very much, Pak and Dora.Visited April 2023Written April 4, 2023
- patrick hYangon (Rangoon), Myanmar205 contributionsGet you tour is the bestthank you for this great visit and to our guide madmae Jon. The taking into account of the bus and circuits were punctual, and very well organized, to really advise compared to other tour operators. We were all able to do very early, and therefore get back to Seoul early to give us the free afternoon, it's great.Visited April 2023Traveled with friendsWritten April 14, 2023
- JasSingapore, Singapore13 contributionsA must go at least onceI went there during a work trip in November last year. The trip from Seoul to the DMZ area is very very long. Make sure to pack yourself snacks and drinks for the trip.. They do stop at a shop area but the options are very limited there. The actual experience of being able to see North Korea, the train tracks and the memorial is very chilling. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience that everyone should try if they are already in Seoul.Visited November 2022Traveled on businessWritten August 6, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
1,061 reviews
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101
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17
Tonelim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia237 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Make sure you pick DMZ/PSA tour. Journey to the border take about 2+ hours by tour bus. The briefing by the US guards was interesting and the tour was amazing and informative. Excellent photo ops everywhere. A piece of history you wouldn’t want to miss. Take back a pin souvenir.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LassiJ
Helsinki, Finland63 contributions
May 2022
Interesting place to see with a history. Though everything is more commercialised than one would expect.
The tunnel experience is a good easy hike. I don't understand why cell phones and cameras are not allowed as there is nothing to hide. Probably just to avoid people crowding the tunnel in some places while taking photos.
I would have liked to stay longer time on the viewing terrace but that part of the trip was hurried so don't expect to have time to finetune your camera to search people from the North Korean side.
The tour promotes joining the Koreas again trough a peaceful change.
The tunnel experience is a good easy hike. I don't understand why cell phones and cameras are not allowed as there is nothing to hide. Probably just to avoid people crowding the tunnel in some places while taking photos.
I would have liked to stay longer time on the viewing terrace but that part of the trip was hurried so don't expect to have time to finetune your camera to search people from the North Korean side.
The tour promotes joining the Koreas again trough a peaceful change.
Written May 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martha T
18 contributions
Dec 2022
We went with VIP travel with their tour guide Nancy (aka leader of "Team Nancy").
I would highly recommend this tour.
The tour was punctual and were very informative. Nancy was a great tour guide and gave us pertinent information regarding the places that we were visiting.
We also felt very safe on the tour as they had done the paperwork and arrangements needed for us to enter the DMZ.
This tour left very early--before sunrise. We did have a breakfast stop at the Imjingak tourist center, and there were several options for food. Nancy even came with us to help us order food, if needed.
Our next stop was Paju and we were given information by Nancy and allowed some time to see the monuments and placards there.
We did have to stop at the checkpoint and show our names and passports to the N. Korean guards that came onto the bus.
We also visited an observation tower and infiltration tunnel, and there were some photo opportunities to pose for pictures in the DMZ as well as to buy famous goods from there such as ginseng tea and soybean chocolate.
Our last stop was for some soybean ice cream before heading back to Seoul. They were timely and got us back to Seoul by the early afternoon.
Must have/bring: passport or you cannot enter the DMZ.
I would highly recommend this tour.
The tour was punctual and were very informative. Nancy was a great tour guide and gave us pertinent information regarding the places that we were visiting.
We also felt very safe on the tour as they had done the paperwork and arrangements needed for us to enter the DMZ.
This tour left very early--before sunrise. We did have a breakfast stop at the Imjingak tourist center, and there were several options for food. Nancy even came with us to help us order food, if needed.
Our next stop was Paju and we were given information by Nancy and allowed some time to see the monuments and placards there.
We did have to stop at the checkpoint and show our names and passports to the N. Korean guards that came onto the bus.
We also visited an observation tower and infiltration tunnel, and there were some photo opportunities to pose for pictures in the DMZ as well as to buy famous goods from there such as ginseng tea and soybean chocolate.
Our last stop was for some soybean ice cream before heading back to Seoul. They were timely and got us back to Seoul by the early afternoon.
Must have/bring: passport or you cannot enter the DMZ.
Written December 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolina
Tucson, AZ483 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
The tour organizer picked us up very early for our tour. It took most of the morning and early afternoon to do this because of logistics the moment that it opens at 9am. We were picked up at 6:20am, needed to pick others up snd then it took 1 hr to get there. We had time to eat breakfast and wait gir the office to open at 9. They only have few busses that will take you there after you get your tickets at 9. They have to check your passport and then you are given a seat in the bus with your guide. Incredible to be able to go down in the tunnel and learn so much about History. It was amazing to see that in person.
Written December 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Young Suk
Carol Stream, IL747 contributions
Jun 2022
Historically valuable and a must-visit because of the rarity of the DMZ.
There is a one-day tour course departing from Gwanghwamun in Seoul, so accessibility is good. If you want to stay for a long time, I recommend moving personally. Along with Imjingak, the Hill of Winds is also worth a visit, and the new gondola allows you to go beyond the civilian-controlled area.
There is a one-day tour course departing from Gwanghwamun in Seoul, so accessibility is good. If you want to stay for a long time, I recommend moving personally. Along with Imjingak, the Hill of Winds is also worth a visit, and the new gondola allows you to go beyond the civilian-controlled area.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oral Cetin
5 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Thank you Jenny!
Our guide Jenny didn't just informed us about the "DMZ". She also told us many things about the South Korean culture.
She also gave us enough time to explore the place by ourselves and the tour ended by time. It was not too short and not too long. Just perfect!
Ee enjoyed the tour very much!
Our guide Jenny didn't just informed us about the "DMZ". She also told us many things about the South Korean culture.
She also gave us enough time to explore the place by ourselves and the tour ended by time. It was not too short and not too long. Just perfect!
Ee enjoyed the tour very much!
Written March 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sylvia H
Geneva, Switzerland2 contributions
Feb 2020
One of the top places to see when visiting. Always include in the best ofs I read before going. Such an amazing place how they preserved and maintain. Just a reminder, make sure that you have your passport when you are visiting for the security checks.
Written November 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jas
Singapore, Singapore13 contributions
Nov 2022 • Business
I went there during a work trip in November last year. The trip from Seoul to the DMZ area is very very long. Make sure to pack yourself snacks and drinks for the trip.. They do stop at a shop area but the options are very limited there.
The actual experience of being able to see North Korea, the train tracks and the memorial is very chilling. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience that everyone should try if they are already in Seoul.
The actual experience of being able to see North Korea, the train tracks and the memorial is very chilling. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience that everyone should try if they are already in Seoul.
Written August 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
betty l
Brampton, Canada10,597 contributions
Oct 2019
I wasn't expecting my DMZ tour to be challenging but it was. We had to walk through a tunnel built by North Korea to spy on South Korea. It was too steep that going up and down the tunnel was very challenging.
In my case I wanted the adventure so I went back to South Korea just particularly for this visit to the DMZ area.I wasn't disappointed specially with the unexpected tunnel walk.
A definite Must See when you are in Seoul.
In my case I wanted the adventure so I went back to South Korea just particularly for this visit to the DMZ area.I wasn't disappointed specially with the unexpected tunnel walk.
A definite Must See when you are in Seoul.
Written May 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelafeme
QCPhilippines812 contributions
We took the metro from hongik university station to munsan. From munsan we took a taxi to imjingak cost 7000 won. At imjingak there is a ticket booth. We presented our passports and we paid for a walking tour that cost 8700 won each. We then boarded the bus . Our first stop was at the train station,viewing point then to the tunnel. There was a short movie presentation and briefing before we enterd the tunnel. We placed our bags in the lockers and were given helmets. The tunnel was going down and some ceilings were low and i hit my head sometimes. Going back up was quite a feat. I had to stop twice to catch my breathe. It was a good experience and i cant help but wonder how many other tunnels exist.
Written April 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicholas L
Singapore, Singapore205 contributions
Hi,
We would like to plan a visit, however, friends have advised that tickets booked on the tour are not "confirmed" time of entry - the agencies send people there to get tickets (not JSA) and most people/ groups arriving at Imjingak area will have to wait for up to 5hours for entry - could someone kindly advise?
Also, if we can't wait due to this timing... can we just inform the group and depart on the GJ subway line back to Seoul on your own?
thanks much!
Sonja27
Lund, Sweden84 contributions
Hej
Jag vill fråga om tunneln man måste gå i, hur lång ungefär? Var det lite otäckt att gå där, ? Brant stigning ?
Mvh
Marianne
theone2200
Brisbane, Australia118 contributions
Hi,
We are going to South Korea in January. Just wondering if you had to go on a tour to go to the DMZ or if you can drive there yourself. I see there is a train that you can catch as well.
AnLil
953 contributions
Hi, there is the ticket center and display train, mini museum that is accessible to the public. However, I believe it’s more or less restricted for people who want to cross the Blue Line to the Dora Observatory (or Third Tunnel), unless perhaps if you arrive very early before noon
Jessica H
Florida284 contributions
Hello - it appears the JSA is closed to tours currently. Is there any insight as to when it might reopen to tourists?
shinkans
Cupertino, CA5 contributions
Hello - I hear DMZ and JSA is closed. But want to know between what dates is it closed before it re-opens. ? Planning to buy air tickets accordingly.
Paul M
Amersham, UK5 contributions
I did answer. Basically there’s a risk of the DMZ being closed at any time on short notice
Maria
Moscow, Russia11 contributions
Добрый день, а что за компания у вас была?
евгений
Moscow, Russia18 contributions
Здравствуйте! Я был в деловой поездке, мои корейские партнеры любезно предоставили мне автомобиль для поездки в DMZ. Это в 70 км от Сеула, посещение не требует разрешения, стоимость осмотра обсерватории, если я не ошибаюсь, 10 долларов. Удачного путешествия!
Maria
Moscow, Russia11 contributions
Добрый день! А что за контора КТБ? Где лучше купить экскурсию на день?
FarAway68309727013
2 contributions
Buenas tardes.
Voy a ir en Diciembre a Seúl y me gustaría saber cual es la mejor opción de visita a la DMZ, querría visitar todas sus zonas, las casetas azules, zona de armisticio etc...Quiero saber en que pagina y que visita (la más completa) debería coger.
Muchas gracias, espero vuestra respuesta.
jul1407
Munich, Germany3,492 contributions
I visited the DMZ from the North Korean side so I cant tell you personally how to do it from the south korean side but I know some friends who did it this way. So the best is you book a tour and you should do it already some weeks before when you want see the blue barracks from close.
Herb W
Ludington, MI10 contributions
Hey Steve. I am going to be heading to Seoul in May of 2020. I was wondering how your experience was taking the train yourself to the DMZ instead of taking an organized tour. Were you able to go into the area where the North Korean guards are facing South Korea? I am going to be staying in Seoul for three full days and then I am going down to Busan and taking the ferry over to Japan. Should I get the Korean Rail Pass for the three days that I am there? Thanks for the advice!
flak_canada
Ottawa, Canada262 contributions
Hi,
We took a tour to the DMZ, so I am not sure about the train and did most of our visiting on foot and used the subway/metro. We had a reloadable card it worked fine. Hope that helps,
FL
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Claim your listingDMZ - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about DMZ
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience DMZ:
- Korean DMZ Tour with Expert Tour Guide from Seoul - No shopping (From $45.00)
- Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Tour from Seoul- Hotel Pick Up & No Shopping (From $48.00)
- Best DMZ 3rd Infiltration Tunnel Tour from Seoul (No Shopping) (From $48.00)
- DMZ Full day with Gloucester Memorial & Suspension Bridge Tour (From $75.00)
- Private DMZ Peace Tour: 3rd Invasion Tunnel(Monorail) and Suspension Bridge (From $198.00)
- Hotels near DMZ:
- (8.33 mi) Yonaluky Luxury Resort
- (7.42 mi) Hotel Hwasumok
- (7.49 mi) Mate Hotel Pa Ju Business
- (7.51 mi) Adelhyu Hotel
- (7.70 mi) Belita N Goodtime
- Restaurants near DMZ:
- (2.32 mi) Korean Restaurant Imjingak
- (2.35 mi) Popeyes Imjingak
- (2.34 mi) Imjin Restaurant Korean Table D'Hote
- (3.80 mi) Bangujeong Naruteo Jib
- (5.53 mi) Galrilri Farm
- Attractions near DMZ:
- (0.02 mi) Dora Observatory
- (0.64 mi) The Third Tunnel
- (0.72 mi) Dorasan Station
- (3.61 mi) Panmunjom
- (2.41 mi) Imjingak Pyeonghoa-Nuri Park
DMZ Information
Excellent Reviews | 604 |
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Very Good Reviews | 325 |
DMZ Photos | 1,508 |