Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SpecialK]

I've read previous posts but I can't seem to find anyone who has taken the tour recently. I will be in Seoul with my family and will be staying at The Guesthousein Korea. They have a package tour which costs 46,000 W. What's your opinion, cheaper to do it on your own, or less hassle if you do the package through the GuestHouse? Thanks!

And are you allowed or not allowed cameras? I've heard conflicting stories.

[Bulsajo]

Don't do the package unless they are putting you on the USO tour package- that's the one you want to be on.

Yes, cameras are allowed, but waving, pointing, and trashy clothes are not.

[hogwonguy1979]

get the USO tour, the others may not take you all the way up. The USO will, You can take pics (I have some great pics of it) though there will be some areas where you won't be allowed to take pics. You also have to "dress up" (no jeans, t-shirts, sandals etc) and you have to be like 12 years old to go.

The USO is located near Namyeong station, one stop south of Seoul Station on line 1, go out the exit, turn right, at the main street (about 1 block) turn right again and its about a 3 minute walk on the right. You can't miss it. Yes non-military/DOD people can take the USO tour and use their services. Its one of the best kept secrects in Seoul.

Enjoy the trip, I've done it twice and loved it both times

[HapKi]

I took the tour through the USO the tuesday of Christmas week. $40 per person, make reservations a couple days beforehand. It leaves at 7:30 in the morning. If you go at bit early they have a good grill where you can get a nice American breakfast.
The tour takes you through Camp Bonifas, where you have a American GI conducting the tour with plenty of information. Afterward, you get passed back to the Korean guide and take the tour of some tunnels dug by the North Koreans that were discovered. Worth a miss, as its plenty of walking down, down, down with not much to see. Then you have Korean style lunch- choice of PimbimPab or bulgogi. Then you go to some observation tower where, on a clear day, you can see into North Korea up to Kaesang (sp?). The rice fields full of wading birds around this area really is gorgeous. Back by late afternoon. USO has a website with all information for signing up. Worth doing.

[crazylemongirl]

I've done the USO tour 3 times. It's been going down hill you don't even get to eat on base anymore but have to eat a resturant just outside of the DMZ.

I actually wish that you could just do the JSA area the the dora observatory then go home. I think that the tunnels and propoganda are a complete waste of time.

[hogwonguy1979]

I found the American GIs at Bonifas to be some of the most fascinating people in Korea to talk to. They really offer some great insights into whats really going on up there. Pull them aside an talk to them about their tour of duty up there etc you will learn a lot.

The last time I took the tour, they had some live tanks and weapons out on display at Bonifas, they let us go into them and look down the sights of the guns. Really interesting though not as fun as firing the AK 47s down in Vietnam at the Chu Chi tunnel tour

[crazylemongirl]

[turtlepi1]

[Zenpickle]

[J.B. Clamence]

I went last summer with the Korea Travel Bureau, and we went everywhere, including Panmunjeom, but no tunnels. It left about 10:30 from the Lotte Hotel. You can book a place at the travel office in the Lotte Hotel. It was great. As far as "doing it on your own", that's not possible. In order to get near anything interesting, you have to be part of a tour. They don't let random individuals into the DMZ.

[bjonothan]

I did the lotte deal but didn't get to see panmunjom. Still it was interesting to see the other stuff. I think that the galbi was the best I have ever had in Korea though. Guest house backpackers in Inchon is run by my mate. It is a good place to stay. We met in Aus. and his English is pretty good. If you really want a strong hot shower of a morning and friendly service, it's the bomb there.