Honest Review of Our DMZ Tour from Seoul, South Korea
TL;DR
We went on a DMZ Adventure and can fully recommend it!
We must admit that as Germans we have a certain fascination with divided countries. Korea was no exception here. For us, it was a no-brainer to visit the DMZ – the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.
The DMZ tour is great for everybody interested in history. Additionally, for most of us, this is as close as we’ll ever get to North Korea.
DMZ Tour from Seoul, South Korea – Our Review
In the following, we are reviewing the DMZ Adventure Day Tour from Seoul as this is the tour we took. Note that we chose the option including the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge.
Our DMZ Tour Review
We were picked up in time at our meeting point in Myeongdong which was within walking distance from our accommodation.
We met our lovely tour guide Paul and were given badges to wear around our necks. As soon as we boarded our bus, Paul started to explain our itinerary. Afterwards, he spent the bus ride to our first stop giving an overview of Korean history. He also told us a lot of personal anecdotes which made the tour feel really special.
Before every stop, he carefully explained to us the history of the place as well as the schedule of our visit. We had enough time at each stop but also never too much.
Paul also accompanied us at all the stops to give directions and explanations. He was always open to questions and overall a great guide.
We quite enjoyed Imjingak as our lunch place. There’s a food court but also a convenience store if you’re looking for an affordable option.
As the tour had started at 7 am, we got some much-needed rest on the bus ride back. We made it back to Myeongdong by 5 pm.
Overall, the tour was convenient, organised, educational, fun, and well-guided.
What to Expect on the DMZ Tour?
These are the stops we visited on our DMZ tour:
1. Mt. Gamaksan Suspension Bridge
Nowadays, it looks like a nice photo spot but it used to be a fierce battlefield during the Korean War. It is a bit of a climb to reach the suspension bridge. Our lovely guide Paul hiked up with us and kindly took some photos of everybody who wanted to.
He also recommended we cross the suspension bridge and hike a bit further to get to a waterfall which was absolutely worth it.
2. Imjingak
Imjingak was our longest stop of the day as there’s a ton to see here. It’s also where we had our lunch break.
First, our guide showed and explained to us the most important points of interest:
- The altar where South Koreans pray for their relatives who remain in North Korea
- The Last Train Out
- The 30 Years Lost Monument
- Freedom Bridge
- The Comfort Woman Statue
- The Paju DMZ Gondola across the Imjingang River
Afterwards, we had some time to explore on our own. There are a lot of different war memorials dotted around Imjingak Park. A cool little gem is a little stall where you can buy North Korean money. For some strange reason, there’s also a small amusement park…
3. 3rd Invasion Tunnel
The 3rd Invasion Tunnel is one of four known tunnels under the border between North Korea and South Korea.
We weren’t quite sure what to expect from the tunnel as you are not allowed to take any pictures inside. We started our visit with a short movie about the Korean conflict (we were quite happy that our guide Paul provided some context).
Afterwards, Paul explained to us the formalities of visiting the tunnel. You have to wear a helmet as the ceiling can get quite narrow. First, you have to use the lockers as you are absolutely not allowed to take anything with you into the tunnel. Then, you have to climb down 73 meters (240 ft) on a rather steep ramp. This was rather physically challenging for us. I guess we were not alone with this – just watch the faces of the people walking up when you start your decent 😉
Only 265 m (870 ft) of the 1635 m (1 mi) long tunnel are open to the public. The South Koreans have blocked the actual Military Demarcation Line in the tunnel with three concrete barricades.
Before our ascent, we took a sip from the drinking fountain at the bottom. There are some benches on the way if you need a little rest.
4. Dora Observatory
Dora Observatory was our favourite stop on this tour. This might sound a bit weird because it’s only a place where you can observe North Korea with binoculars.
There were fewer binoculars than tourists but eventually, we got one. We were able to see North Korean buildings, the North Korean flag, and even some North Korean people.
We felt a bit like voyeurs but we couldn’t help being intrigued to get a glimpse into a place which is mostly hidden from the outside world.
5. Unification Village
To be honest, the last stop was more of a shopping stop – fortunately, the shopping did not feel forced at all, unfortunately, the option to walk around was very limited.
We recommend making the most of your time here and trying the soybean ice cream.
What Other Travellers Say About the DMZ Tour
⭐ Rating: 4.9 / 5 (2000 + reviews)
The DMZ TOUR is one of the best experiences I had here in Korea. Our tour guide COOL did an exemplary job providing us with great history of the North and South Korea. He is the best! Before the tour i am quite hesistant if i will enjoy it, but after the tour, I actually had fun while learning. COOL was super helpful in so many ways and he was so kind and friendly too. I super love him! I will recommend this tour to my friends who will go visit South Korea. We even saw north Koreans over the telescope! […]
What Does the DMZ Tour Include?
The DMZ tour we did includes:
- Admission to attractions
- English-speaking guide
- Round-trip transfers to and from the meet-up location
Conclusion: Should You Book the DMZ Tour?
We absolutely think a DMZ tour is worth it. Especially, if you want to better understand South Korea or if you’re interested in history in general.
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