The mere mention of North Korea makes me really excited as it is one of the countries I want to visit in the future. But I know, it won't be cheap and easy to get there and to explore it. So, when we were planning our Seoul, South Korea trip, I made sure that a visit to the DMZ or the Demiliratized Zone in Gyeonggi-do will be part of our itinerary. This day tour from Seoul is an awesome way to have a glimpse of North Korea, and let me share to you our experience on getting there and the places we visited.
Based on our research before flying to Seoul, getting to the DMZ is not possible if you do it yourself (DIY), it's better if you get an authorized travel guide or join a group tour. It won't just give you easy access to the site, but also makes your DMZ tour convenient and more economical.
For ease and convenience, we booked our DMZ Tour via the Klook App. This amazing travel booking app really makes it easy for any traveler to choose a tour they want or join group tours at discounted rates. The DMZ Tour offered by Klook includes private transportation from Seoul to DMZ, a visit to Imjingak Park, Freedom Bridge, 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, DMZ Theater and Exhibition Hall, Dora Observatory, Unification Village, Dorasan Rail Station, and to a Ginseng Center. Transportation back to Seoul is also included. And you can also choose to end the tour with a good lunch at a restaurant in the city.
Despite its name, the DMZ is a safe area to explore even for tourists. With an informative and experienced tour guide, you will learn more about the Korean War and the Cold War that happened several years ago. Our guide also shared to us some information as we visit the sites that played a major role in recent history between the North and South Korea. It's a convenient day tour from Seoul and an awesome way to learn more about the history of the Korean War and the Cold War in the Korean Peninsula.
Here's our DMZ Tour Itinerary:
- 8am Hotel pick up (to be clarified with guide a few days prior)
- Imjingak Park
- Freedom Bridge
- 3rd Infiltration Tunnel
- DMZ Theater & Exhibition Hall
- Dora Observatory
- Dorasan Station
- Pass by Unification Village
- Amethyst factory or Ginseng Center visit
- Lunch
- 14:30pm / 15:00pm drop off at City Hall
For sample Korea DIY Itineraries, please visit my post: RECOMMENDED KOREA ITINERARY: DIY SEOUL - 3, 4, 5, 6 Days Tour 2019.
Imjingak Park and Freedom Bridge
Located in Paju, South Korea, it is a park on the banks of the Imjin River and has many statues and monuments in memory of the Korean War. Here you could see the Freedom Bridge where almost 13,000 Korean POWs walked to freedom. Imjingak Park is the first stop of our DMZ Tour. It also has a restaurant, an observation deck, and a pool in the shape of the Korean peninsula. Also part of this park is the Imjingak station that still has the railroad that connects the North and South Korea.
3rd Infiltration Tunnel, DMZ Theater & Exhibition Hall
The is the second stop of our DMZ Tour where we visited the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, DMZ Theater & Exhibition Hall. This is where we went deep into the 3rd infiltration tunnel which is one of the four known tunnels under the border between North Korea and South Korea discovered in October 1978. Taking of photos is not allowed when entering the tunnel and you have to be physically prepared to walk down the tunnel until you reach the end where the South Koreans have blocked the actual Military Demarcation Line inside the tunnel with three concrete barricades. The hardest part of this tour is the climbing back the steep slope of the tunnel. But don't worry, you could rest at any time.
To give you an idea, here's a photo of the tunnel from Klook.com.
After the tunnel tour, we went to the DMZ Theater & Exhibition Hall where we watched a film regarding the Korean War. It's a very educational and enriching movie to watch.
Here are more photos from the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, DMZ Theater & Exhibition Hall.
Dora Observatory
Located on top of Mount Dora, the Dora Observatory looks across the Demiliratized Zone where you could have a glimpse into North Korea. Using the binoculars, visitors can overlook North Korea and various locations including Gaeseong, Songaksan, Kim Il-Sung Statue, and Cooperation Farm from the observatory. This is the closest I could get to North Korea (for now), and I am so happy to visit it. It's definitely my favorite part of our DMZ Tour.
Dorasan Station
Located on the Gyeongui Line, Dorasan Station is the northern terminus of Korail which used to connect North Korea and South Korea.
Ginseng Center
This is the 2nd to the last stop of this DMZ tour where we visited a Ginseng Center. Here you can buy some ginseng products that you could try and bring back home.
We then drove back to Seoul for about 40 minutes where we had a sumptuous Korean lunch in one of the restaurants in Insadong Area. In booking a tour, you can choose whether to include your lunch or not. For convenience, we chose to include it so we will not worry where to have lunch after a long day of visiting DMZ.
DMZ Tips and Reminders:
- Don't forget to bring your passport
- Visitors without a valid identification card cannot enter the civilian-restricted area. Foreigners must bring a passport. Korean visitors must provide their citizen registration number.
- You're entering a Military site, dress appropriately.
- Always wear the ID given to you for indentification.
- The tour guide will tell you what or where to take photos and where taking photos is prohibited. Always take note of that and only take photos when it is allowed.
- Eating is not allowed inside the bus.
- Eat heavy breakfast because you will only have your lunch when you get back in Seoul which is around 1:00 or 2:00 PM depending on the traffic.
- There are souvenir shops and snack bars in some of the stops where you could buy some sovenirs or grab some snacks.
ALSO READ: KOREA BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE 2018 with an ₱8,000 Pesos DIY Itinerary
This is a memorable day for me. Being able to have a glimpse of North Korea is a step forward on making my dream of visiting it in the future. So, if you're looking for an enriching and educational day tours from Seoul, I highly recommend that you include a visit to the DMZ in your itinerary.
South Korea Travel Essentials
- 4G WiFi Device or a Korea 4G SIM Card for your Instagram moments and also for navigating the streets of Seoul.
- Travel in comfort from Incheon International Airport to Seoul City via AREX Incheon Airport Express Train, KAL Limousine Bus, or Incheon Airport Private Car Transfers.
- South Korea Railplus Transport Card Travel hassle-free with this integrated transportation card that can be used to pay for public transport and even taxis.
- Discover Seoul Pass Enjoy a discount ticket of 30 tourist attractions and exclusive discounts and freebies within 24/48/72 hours, all with just one card!
- Private Car Charter in Seoul Explore Nami Island, Everland, Rail Bike or other attractions in a private van.
- Discounted Korea Rail Pass Discover South Korea by traveling on over 80 routes and 600 stations. Enjoy unlimited rides on trains offered by KORAIL for 1, 3, 5, 7 or any flexible 2 and 4 days.
Hotels in Seoul, Korea
As this is just a day tour, staying in Seoul is what we did. There are so many hotels in Seoul that you can choose from. There's a wide array of budget, mid-range and luxury hotels in Seoul that will certainly fit your budget and needs. So, finding the best hotel for you will never be a problem. More to that, you could save as much as 50% off on room rates when you book in advance online.
Cheap Flights to Seoul, South Korea
There are two major airports servicing passengers visiting Seoul. Gimpo Airport, which is nearer Seoul City is mostly for domestic flights and some international flights from China, Japan, and Taiwan. Most international flights going to Seoul arrive at Incheon International Airport which is the largest and the primary gateway to South Korea. Local airlines such Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines, Air Asia Philippines, and other international airlines have daily flights from Manila to Incheon, as well as direct flights from Kalibo to (Seoul Incheon).
To search for cheap flights to Seoul, South Korea, I highly recommend booking via Traveloka.com - one of Southeast Asia's leading travel booking sites. I've been using it in my travels and I can assure you that you'll always get the best deals and promos on flights! And don't forget to use their weekly promo codes to get more discounts!
This trip to Seoul was made possible by Traveloka and Klook Travel.
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Hello! Just wanted to ask if it's possible to skip the 3rd infiltration tunnel when you do the tour? I'm afraid my knees won't be able to crouch for too long. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes, you could request that. Just tell the tour guide. Enjoy!
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