What to Expect on The Best DMZ Tour from Seoul

The first thing I booked after my flights to South Korea was a DMZ tour from Seoul. I’ve always been fascinated by the dark history between North and South Korea, and I was eager to see across the border with my own eyes.

The relatively recent history of the Korean War, combined with how often the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) appears in the media, made me even more curious to experience it for myself.

If you’re planning a trip to Seoul and want to get a deeper sense of Korea’s divided past and present, booking a DMZ Tour is usually high on the ‘must do’ list.

It might just be the most thought-provoking day trip you’ll take. It was certainly one of the best tours I have ever done abroad. Surreal, emotional, steeped in history – and, oddly beautiful in parts too.

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What you’ll see on a DMZ tour: the actual stops

I booked my DMZ Tour via Klook (you can see the exact tour here) and, honestly, it became one of the highlights of my trip. If you’re wondering what really happens on the day, what to expect and whether it’s safe, here’s everything you need to know.

The tour starts early, at either 8am or 10am. We opted for the later one, knowing we’d need some time to find breakfast before walking down to the meeting point in Myeongdong for 9.20am. Our coach arrived early and left promptly on time at 10am, so make sure you’re there on time – it won’t wait for latecomers.

The drive to the DMZ takes around an hour. As the city’s skyscrapers give way to the rolling hills, your guide will begin explaining the fascinating history of Korea’s divided past. 

If you book the same DMZ tour as I did, here’s what you can expect to see throughout the day. Keep in mind that the stops can vary slightly depending on your package, as well as the current level of tension between the two countries – and, consequently, the prevailing military conditions. 

Stop 1: Imjingak Park

The first stop, Imjingak Park, serves as both an emotional prelude and the gateway to the DMZ. Located about 7 km south of the actual Demilitarized Zone, it’s a peaceful yet powerful memorial space built to honour those separated by the Korean War.

This is the furthest that anybody can go without booking a tour. It’s open and easy to explore, filled with monuments, ribbons of hope and stories etched into stone and steel.

Here’s what you can expect to see  – and what each landmark means:

Bridge of Freedom

Once part of the Gyeongui Line railway that connected North and South Korea, this bridge earned its name after the Korean War when around 12,000 prisoners of war crossed back into the South shouting ‘Freedom!’ as they walked.

Today, it stands as a powerful symbol of reunion and liberation. When we visited, the bridge was blocked off, so we couldn’t walk across it – though I’ve heard that in the past, visitors were able to walk partway over.

Freedom Bridge Memorial Zone and Prayer Ribbons

Beside the Bridge of Freedom, there’s an area where fences are draped with thousands of colourful ribbons and notes. Each ribbon carries a handwritten message – often prayers for loved ones in the North, or wishes for peace and reunion.

It’s incredibly moving to see. You can try to use a translation app to be read some of the messages. Some come from schoolchildren, others from elderly visitors who still remember the war. It’s one of those rare places where collective emotion is almost tangible.

Mangbaedan Altar

Mangbaedan is a memorial altar where separated families come to bow and pay respects to ancestors in the North, especially during major holidays like Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and Lunar New Year. Since many can’t cross the border, this altar allows them to face north and perform ancestral rites symbolically.

It’s a poignant reminder of the human side of division – a place where longing meets ritual. Even as a visitor, you can sense the quiet heartbreak that lingers there.

Peace Bell

The huge bronze Peace Bell stands within the Peace Bell Pavilion and was built to symbolise harmony and reconciliation between North and South Korea.

It’s rung on special occasions like New Year’s Day and national holidays, to send a message of peace across the border. You can approach and admire the intricate carvings, each representing unity and hope. The bell’s deep tone is said to echo all the way to the North – an eerie reminder as a visitor of just how close you are to North Korea.

Steam Locomotive from Jangdan Station

This rusted black locomotive sits dramatically behind barbed wire, riddled with over 1200 bullet holes from the Korean War. It was bombed on its way back from Pyeongsan, North Korea, and by the time it arrived at Jangdan Station – once part of the Seoul–Sinuiju railway line connecting the two Koreas – it was completely destroyed.

Today, it is preserved as a symbol of war’s devastation and the longing for reconnection. Walking around it is incredibly moving; you can almost imagine it once steaming across the peninsula, bridging what is now divided.

Statue of Peace Toward the Reunification of Korea

This monument of two girls represents the Korean victims of sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II.

While it is often called the ‘comfort women’ statue, it also symbolises reunification. A second statue was placed with the intention of eventually moving it to North Korea after the peninsula is reunified.

The doves on their shoulders represent a simple yet beautiful symbol of peace and reunification. The women represents Korea itself, divided but hopeful. It is an artistic reminder that peace, though fragile, is always within reach.

Within Imjingak Park, there is an optional session where visitors can meet and hear from a North Korean defector. You can either book this add-on with your ticket or pay 7000 won (approximately £3.50) per person on the day. There’s plenty to explore in the area if you skip the interview, but I personally found it an invaluable experience – and I highly recommend it.

Interview with a North Korean Defector

Meeting a North Korean defector was one of the most memorable parts of my experience. Listening to someone who actually crossed the border and built a new life in the South puts everything you’ve seen into perspective. It’s personal, emotional, and very real – far beyond what you’d get from reading plaques or signs.

While I understand that group tours are limited on time, it was a shame that the talk was quite short, lasting around 20 minutes, with just a 5 minute Q&A at the end. Some people really do ask some stupid questions – like ‘what do you think of Kim Jong Un?’ – which wastes precious time – especially when there’s a translator involved, who has to relay both the questions and the answers from Korean to English.

Cafés and Souvenir Shops

Imjingak Park has a café, food stalls and a few souvenir shops selling DMZ-themed items – everything from military-style hats to copies of North Korean currency. We were advised that to grab a snack here if needed, as there is a long wait before the last stop of the day where there is a convenience store. (We did come across others, but I think the food options may have been better at this first stop.)

Although you only have around 40 minutes in total to spend at Imjingak, there’s enough time for a bathroom break, a quick coffee or snack and a moment to reflect before heading further north into the DMZ itself. 

Why Imjingak Park matters

Imjingak Park might look peaceful today, but it’s a sobering and symbolic reminder that freedom, family and peace aren’t universal luxuries – they’re fragile and hard-won.

Beneath its calm surface lies a deep emotional undercurrent. Families who were separated during the war often come here to pay respects and pray for reunion. 

Even though you will only have a limited time here on a group tour, try not to rush. Take a walk, absorb the monuments and read the plaques. It’s the perfect way to prepare yourself for what lies ahead in the DMZ and for the reflections that will follow.

You will then get back on the bus, entering the military-controlled area across the Imjingak River. At the military checkpoint, the bus will stop for around 10 minutes while two officers board to check everyone’s passports. Once everything is cleared, you will get the go-ahead to continue.

A word of warning – you will go through the same process of checking passports when you leave the military zone and even if just one passport is missing, the entire bus will not be allowed to leave. Scary stuff!

Stop 2: The Third Infiltration Tunnel

The Third Infiltration Tunnel is probably the most famous stop, and certainly one of the most memorable. Discovered in the 1970s, this is one of several tunnels dug by North Korea in an attempt to infiltrate the South.

There are strict rules about photography throughout the DMZ, and you aren’t allowed to take personal belongings, including your phone, into the tunnel. Lockers are provided at the entrance, though you can keep a bottle of water with you if needed.

Walking down into the tunnel, hard hat on, is physically tough but thrilling. It’s dark, cold and a little claustrophobic, yet you can almost feel the urgency with which it was built. The temperature drops as you move further in, which I actually welcomed on a hot day.

The hike takes around 15 minutes to hike inside the tunnel, but the climb back out is much harder due to the steep incline. There is water dripping in parts, and towards the end, the tunnel narrows so much that you have to crouch for several minutes, sharing the small space with people coming in the opposite direction – definitely challenging if you’re claustrophobic

We were forewarned that the incline is the equivalent of 20 on a treadmill. It was deliberately designed this way to make entering the tunnel from the South difficult – and believe me, it’s tough. This activity isn’t suitable for anyone with mobility issues, health concerns or severe claustrophobia.

If you prefer, you can skip the tunnel – many people do – and instead explore the on-site museum, statues and photo spots. There’s also a small minimart to stock up on drinks, snacks, or souvenirs. Depending on how long your hike takes, you might have time to pop in.

Stop 3: Dora Observatory

After a short bus ride of around five minutes, you arrive at Dora Observatory, where you can actually look into North Korea through mounted binoculars.

It’s a wild experience seeing North Korea in real life. On a clear day, you can spot the North Korean flagpole, the propaganda village of Kijŏng-dong situated in the DMZ, the city of Kaesong and distant mountains.

It’s eerie yet captivating. We saw people who appeared to be working in the distance and I found myself wondering what life must be like on the other side. It’s such a surreal feeling, looking into a country that we usually only hear about in the media.

There’s an indoor amphitheatre where you can take in the view, and a decent cafe inside the main building. Depending on how long you spend at the binoculars, you can also visit to these.

Due to tensions between the two countries, photographs of North Korea are now strictly banned. Our tour guide shared some photos with us that she took last year, and you can just about see both the North and South Korean flag poles when zoomed in.

This is the closest you will ever get to looking inside North Korea – without, of course, actually flying there.

Stop 4: Unification Village (or Suspension Bridge)

Depending on your chosen tour, you might visit Unification Village – a small farming community where residents live under strict government supervision but benefit from the unique peace economy of the area.

To be honest, there’s not much to see here. It’s mostly just a bathroom stop and an attempt to get you to purchase some local products if you want to before you hop back on the bus to make your way back to Seoul.

The highlight for me was the infamous DMZ soybean ice cream. I have heard so much about it, and with it being naturally vegan, there was no way I was missing out. Jass and I bought one of each flavour – chocolate for him, original for me – and they were delicious. The original takes the crown, if you ask me.

Alternatively, other tours include the Majang Lake Suspension Bridge or Gamaksan Mountain Bridge. Both look picturesque and slightly nerve-racking, but I didn’t see the point of booking a longer tour just for a photo-op.

Why book a DMZ Tour?

Let’s start with the obvious question: why would anyone want to visit one of the most militarised borders in the world?

For me, the answer was curiosity. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) isn’t just a strip of land, it’s a living museum of modern history that feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It symbolises division, yet also hope. 

Which DMZ Tour should I book?

There are lots of DMZ tours from Seoul, and it can be confusing finding the best one to book. I booked this DMZ tour on Klook and added the optional add-on to meet a North Korean defector. 

This tour is a half-day experience, lasting around 6-7 hours which was ideal – not too rushed and not too long.

If you only have a short time in Seoul, it doesn’t take up too much time out of your itinerary.

You can choose from a few options on Klook:

• Standard DMZ Tour – Includes Imjingak Park, the 3rd Tunnel, Dora Observatory and the visitor centre.
• DMZ + Suspension Bridge Tour – The standard tour as well as a scenic bridge walk near the border.
• DMZ + North Korean Defector Option – This is the standard tour which includes a rare opportunity to hear from a North Korean defector in person.

I would highly recommend booking the defector option – though if you haven’t purchased it in advance, you can still pay for it on the day. Listening to the stories of someone who actually lived in North Korea and how they escaped was the most moving part of the entire day. There’s a short time at the end to ask questions as well, and their story brings history to life in a way no museum ever could.

The tours are fantastic if you’re a history buff, but even if you’re not, they provide plenty of insight. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and fluent in English, which really enhances the experience.

What I particularly enjoyed about this tour is that it wasn’t a tourist-trap. Most group tours, like the Mekong Delta tour I took in Vietnam spend most of the day shuttling you between multiple shopping stops on the way to the actual thing you want to see. It’s frustrating because it eats into your itinerary. This DMZ tour, by contrast, was focused, immersive and entirely worthwhile.

What you can’t see on a DMZ Tour

One thing most people don’t understand is that you can’t, and will never, actually enter the actual demilitarised zone. You will simply get close enough to the southern fence to see the border from a viewpoint. 

Without a tour, you won’t even get as far as the southern fence, let alone the border. The only way to get as close to the border as possible is by booking a guided tour. 

Why JSA Tours Are Suspended

You might have heard of the Joint Security Area (JSA) and seen images of the blue huts where North and South Korean soldiers literally stand face-to-face. It’s often what people picture when they think of the DMZ – and, honestly, I did too.

Unfortunately, JSA tours have been suspended since 2023 after US soldier Travis King, who was booked on a group tour like I was in July 2023, crossed into North Korea, wrongly assuming they would protect him. Of course, he was eventually sent back to the US.

I’m rolling my eyes as I write this – there’s always one person who ruins it for everyone else.

The incident led to an indefinite suspension of public tours by the United Nations Command (UNC). Due to security concerns, the South Korean government temporarily halted public access, and whether tours will resume remains uncertain.

While it’s disappointing not to step into the famous blue conference room, the standard DMZ Tour still gets you incredibly close to the border – close enough to feel the gravity of it all.

If JSA tours do resume in the future, updated information is usually available on Klook or the official Korean tourism website. But honestly, the DMZ tour experience stands strong on its own.

Book the same DMZ Tour as me

If you want the same well-organised, English-speaking and reliable experience I had, this is the tour you need to book on Klook.

Everything was seamless – confirmation was instant, the bus was clean and on time, the guide was fantastic, and the vibes on the bus were great. Plus, there’s free cancellation if plans change, which is always a win.

Here’s what I loved most:

• Convenient pick-up point in central Seoul
• Professional guide who balanced knowledge, humour, history and humanity
• Small group size, which meant we could ask questions freely
• No hidden fees – entry tickets and transport all included

The only thing not included was food and drinks, which is pretty standard. There are shops at almost every stop, or you can bring your own snacks like I sometimes do on day trips.

Are DMZ Tours safe?

Somebody asked me this question when I told them I had booked a DMZ tour, and honestly – the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. I get it though – ‘heavily militarised zone’ doesn’t exactly scream ‘standard holiday activity’, does it?

The answer is yes – DMZ Tours are completely safe.

As a visitor, you will only access designated, secure areas that are monitored and approved by both the South Korean military and the United Nations Command. Tour routes are heavily regulated, and your guide will brief you on all safety protocols (mostly: stay with the group and where not to take any photographs).

In reality, it feels less like stepping into danger and more like visiting an open-air museum. The tension is there, sure, but it’s managed. You’ll see soldiers stationed along the way, but they’re friendly and used to tourists.

That said, there are restrictions – for example, you can’t take photos in certain directions or areas, and you’ll need to carry your passport for identification at checkpoints. It’s all part of the experience, really.

How to prepare for a DMZ Tour

• DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT. Without your passport, you will not be allowed on the tour. Soldiers will check it twice, so do not lose it either.
• Fill out forms accurately. You will be given a form to complete as soon as your board the bus, with your passport details. Ensure it’s filled out correctly before you reach the security checkpoint.
• Check the weather as visibility can make or break your observatory views. We were lucky to have a clear day.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking. You might also want to build up your stamina for the third tunnel hike – trust me, it was worse than leg day.
• Dress appropriately. You’ll be visiting sensitive areas. Army prints are forbidden, as are revealing items like ripped jeans, shorts and tank tops.
• Be respectful. This isn’t your usual holiday activity or a theme park. It’s a living reminder of conflict and you’ll visit places where locals mourn the separation of their families.
• Arrive early. Aim to be at your pick-up point at least 20 minutes early. We were advised to arrive 40 minutes beforehand.
• Expect itinerary changes. Stops can vary slightly depending on the current tensions between the two countries. 
• Prepare for crowds. This is a popular day trip from Seoul, so expect queues at some of the stops.
• Follow photography rules. Don’t take photos where it’s clearly prohibited. I shudder to think what could happen if you ignored the rules. 

Was the DMZ Tour Worth It?

Absolutely. The DMZ tour is one of the best tours I have ever booked as it offers rare insight into Korea’s identity and struggles.

Looking out over the border, into the hazy outline of another world, I realised this isn’t just a tourist attraction – it’s a reminder that history is still happening.

Would I recommend it? 100%. This isn’t just another sightseeing trip; it’s an emotional and educational journey that adds real depth to your understanding of Korea, and it will likely be one of the most memorable days of your travels.

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