DMZ. Worth going?

[tokyofanboi]

Just an add on, search on YouTube and there's couple of video there and from there you decide whether worth or not.

Sk soldier outside the blue house is sort of half hidden to peek what's happening in nk side and sometime nk soldiers will take photos. In side the blue house you will see sk soldier in Taekwondo position wearing shades, you can take photos with them but same thing no contact of any sort. If you are lucky enough you get to see nk soldier behind the windows but well they just look like normal human being.

 

[Prof Goh]

I've been there! I would say it's definitely worth a visit. The place itself isn't very touristy. I had a thread somewhere on edmw but it's gone now.

Here are some pics.

Spoiler

There will almost always be a DPRK soldier standing far across. Additional soldiers will be stationed before the demarcation line only if there are visitors from DPRK side coming.

I brought my shades and asked to take a pic with the south korean soldiers (wearing their shades), they were more than happy to.

I saw this clause from this agency "panmunjomtour".
Meaning we must report to somewhere 2 days before the tour??

According to the UNC rules the roster of the tourists to Panmunjum should be reported 48 hours (2 days) prior to the tour briefing time (13:45) in the camp Bonifas on the tour day. So person who is interested in this tour should send your name, passport number and nationality to us at least 3 days before.

Basically the tour agency have to pass the passengers list (something like a flight manifest) two days before the scheduled tour. They prob do some background checks during this time.

Any tour that reports at Seoul?

A lot actually! Mine was with http://www.panmunjomtour.com/ and you need to confirm ahead of time. The meeting place was at Lotte Hotel.

I went with the Joint Security Area (aka Panmunjom where the blue houses, demarcation line, Freedom House and Panmungak are located) & DMZ full tour. They also brought us to the 3rd tunnel, Dorasan Station (the last station before North Korea) and the wrecked train in Imjingak, Dora observatory

 

[kannis_ng]

what is there to see ?

See the endangered species wildlife

Tunnels 4 of Em

 

[zabalang]

worth it.

when my grp was there we could really feel the tension once we see the NK side. you'll never know if there's anyone behind the tinted windows in the NK side

 

[Prof Goh]

worth it.

when my grp was there we could really feel the tension once we see the NK side. you'll never know if there's anyone behind the tinted windows in the NK side

usually have! during my tour there was one using binoculars to watch us (he was outside the building). but no soldiers were guarding the demarcation line. i heard it's only if there are visitors/tourists coming from Panmungak (DPRK side), then there will be soldiers stationed near the demarcation line.

Spoiler

yeah they're just watching each other using binoculars

 

[beanstalk6]

Getting to the place from Seoul takes you across some of the most dangerous areas on Earth. The guide on the bus will point out the overhead bridges that are permanently rigged with explosives so as to collapse at a moment's notice, or those obstacles that will stall the enemy going to Seoul, the minefields and also the beach defences.

 

[sneggg]

So which tour is best huh? And all pick up is from Lotte hotel?

 

[h0neystars]

Yeah DMZ is quite interesting to visit! You get to see the NK soldiers, the surroundings and all but there are some rules to that you must follow, so keep that in mind. If you're interested to visit, you may wanna check out this tour, which takes you to JSA and almost all the other attractions around the place. https://www.trazy.com/experience/detail/DMZ_JSA_tour

 

[coldkohmew]

If you wanna take photos with guns then wrong place.

 

[Prof Goh]

yeah and one more thing, they are quite strict about the dress code. not so fanciful can liao

 

[Jane2]

yeah and one more thing, they are quite strict about the dress code. not so fanciful can liao

I remember when I went many years ago. I was told no jeans. So i had to go buy pants to wear when I was there.

 

[ms.piglett]

I remember when I went many years ago. I was told no jeans. So i had to go buy pants to wear when I was there.

dress code expectations of the tour i joined.

Please check Panmunjom (JSA) dress code.
1. No the color has faded or the hole jeans. (Regular jeans are OK).
2. No training wear, Military style.
3. No short pants, mini skirt
4. No open toed shoes, flip-flops. Sandals, slippers, any open toe shoes or open heel shoes are not allowed.
5. No sleeveless, round neck t-shirt and leather pants.

 

[tortoise18]

can wear dr martens shoes?
btw, a lot of walking and climbing stairs needed?

 

[beanstalk6]

can wear dr martens shoes?
btw, a lot of walking and climbing stairs needed?

There is nothing against wearing such shoes to the JSA. I do not recall there was a lot of walking and climbing involved.

 

[Sammychan]

Anyone tried going yourself by train? Think it's more interesting.

 

[sCuzzZy]

Are there any preferred/recommended tour operators? Time to do some booking.

a month to korea!

 

[sneggg]

I booked this for next month



http://www.tourdmz.com/main.php

 

[ah_mah]

JSA tour is the real deal. The rest of dmz is a waste of time. Lots and lots of restrictions on tourists esp on the use of camera with flash, and when u can take picture and when u cannot. Given the situation now is more tense than before, I think the military personnel who conducting the tour (essentially american soldiers on behalf of UN) will be even more strict on the photo and camera part. Get caught and u risk getting the whole album deleted or the camera confiscated.

 

[beanstalk6]

Anyone tried going yourself by train? Think it's more interesting.

IF you think the JSA is not as interesting.

 

[sneggg]

Which is jsa?

Panmunjom Tour?