The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is the heavily fortified area between North and South Korea. The zone is patrolled by heavily armed guards and is littered with land mines and barbed wire fences. This might not sound like your typical tourist attraction.
However, the DMZ, which is under the control of the United Nations (UN), attracts over a million visitors a year. This summer, my family was among them. We took a family-friendly tour of the DMZ with VIP Travel, and it wound up being the highlight of our trip to South Korea.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Tours to the DMZ are very popular. Because the UN limits the number of visitors allowed to enter the DMZ each day, we recommend booking a tour early to ensure you will be able to visit.
Editor’s Note: Portions of this trip were hosted.
Why visit the DMZ?
A DMZ tour is great for history buffs and anyone who is interested in seeing what is arguably one of the most historically significant places in the modern world. The DMZ is the last remaining place in the world where the Cold War is still being fought in a battle between communism and democracy.
Although no active fighting has taken place in the DMZ for decades, the UN remains in place to help maintain the peace. My family felt very safe. We found the tour very interesting despite not knowing much about the DMZ before our visit, beyond the basics.
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Who Should Visit the DMZ?
The DMZ tour I took is very family-friendly. Both my 10-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter enjoyed the tour and learned a lot about the Cold War, the Korean War, and the differences between North and South Korea. Visiting the DMZ is a rare opportunity for children to experience a piece of living history.
The experience was vital to showing them that what they learn in history books and about current events affects real people, many of whom are children like them. Babies and toddlers can join a DMZ tour, but they may not get much out of the experience.
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Things to do
When I looked into visiting the DMZ, I was struck by the numerous options because many tours include nearby attractions. I chose a full-day DMZ tour from VIP Travel that took about nine hours. My tour left from Seoul and included a visit to the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, a tunnel North Korea dug to try to infiltrate South Korea.
It also included the Red Suspension Bridge, which offers picturesque mountain views, Imjingak Peace Park, which was built to console families split by the division between North and South Korea, and an observatory that offers a rare look into North Korea.
Tour Highlights
The DMZ tour from VIP Travel was my son’s favorite activity on a month-long trip that took us through Korea and Japan. One of the best parts of the tour was taking a Peace Gondola in Imjingak Peace Park over barbed wire fences, surveillance posts, and evidence of the ongoing conflict between North and South Korea.
My kids also loved putting on helmets and walking through the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, standing over the original dividing line between the two Koreas, and getting clear views of North Korea from a tall observatory.
What You Can’t Visit
In the past, visitors to the DMZ were able to visit the Joint Security Area (JSA), where North and South Korea signed a ceasefire agreement that halted the Korean War. However, in 2023, the UN suspended tours to the JZA after an American visitor left the tour and crossed the North Korean border.
Similarly, visitors used to be able to visit Daeseong-dong, or Unification Village, a small farming town within the DMZ. However, after another incident where tour group members wandered off, visitors can now only stop in the village for lunch, shopping and enjoying a small park.
Getting There
Although the DMZ is a popular tourist attraction, it’s also an active military zone. Therefore, the only way to visit is with a tour. My tour group met at the centrally located Myeongdong metro station before boarding a large, comfortable bus.
What to Wear and What to Pack
Because visiting the DMZ requires passing through a United Nations checkpoint, the most essential item every visitor needs is their passport. Other than that, I recommend bringing a book or tablet to keep kids busy on the bus ride to and from the DMZ. The tour makes a lunch stop and a couple of stops at convenience stores, but I recommend bringing water and snacks. Comfortable walking shoes are also a good idea!
Where to Stay
Most people who visit the DMZ stay in the nearby city of Seoul. My family stayed at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. This iconic hotel is perfect for families. It has an indoor pool, an outdoor pool and a kids’ club.
Additionally, the hotel is ideally located on a mountain with fantastic views of the city, offering a serene retreat away from the hustle and bustle. Yet, it’s minutes from a metro and the popular Myeong-dong shopping district.. The Grand Hyatt Seoul is also right next to a large park with family-friendly hiking trails, ample open space and a playground.
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