머스트리치

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is the 4 km-wide strip that has divided North and South Korea since the 1953 armistice. Standing at its edge, looking across at North Korea from an observation post only an hour from Seoul, is one of the most memorable things you can do in Korea. It is also the day trip that changes the most, because what visitors can see depends on security decisions that can change at short notice. This guide explains which DMZ sites are realistically open to foreign visitors, what is different about the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom, how tours work, and what to bring. We checked the latest reports in October 2026 , but always confirm with your tour operator a few days before you go. Short version • Most visitors do a half-day or full-day DMZ tour to Imjingak, the Third Tunnel and Dora Observatory in Paju • You cannot drive into the restricted area on your own; inside the Civilian Control Line you go with a tour or a government-run programme • Bring your ...

Nami Island (Namiseom) is a small, tree-covered island in the North Han River, about 60 km north-east of Seoul. It became famous across Asia after the 2002 drama Winter Sonata was filmed there, and its tall rows of metasequoia and ginkgo trees are still the reason most people come. It is one of the easiest day trips from Seoul: no car needed, no booking needed for the island itself, and you can be back in the city for dinner. This guide uses the official Nami Island website (checked October 29, 2026 ) for ticket prices, ferry rules and transport, and explains the two ways to get there: the train on your own, or the direct shuttle bus from central Seoul. Nami Island in one box • Adult ticket: ₩19,000 including the return ferry • ₩13,000 if you buy before 8:00 a.m., or late in the day (after 18:31 from April to November, after 18:01 from December to March) • Train: ITX-Cheongchun from Yongsan (about 60 min) or Cheongnyangni (about 42 min) to Gapyeong Station , then 5 minutes by...

Some of the best food in Seoul costs a few thousand won and is eaten standing up. Street food in Korea runs from market stalls that have been frying the same pancake for decades to winter carts that only appear when the temperature drops. Knowing what to order, and where it is cheaper, makes a real difference to both your trip and your budget. This guide lists the snacks worth trying, the markets and streets to find them, the ones that only appear in the cold months (which start in November), and a few habits that keep you from paying tourist prices. Checked in October 2026 . Where to go • Gwangjang Market (Jongno 5-ga Station): the classic, for mung bean pancakes, gimbap and noodles • Mangwon Market (Mangwon Station): a local market near Hongdae with cheap fried chicken and snacks • Myeongdong : the most carts, the highest prices • Any subway exit in winter : fish-shaped bungeoppang, egg bread and roasted sweet potatoes The 15 things to try Savoury Tteokbokki — chewy r...

Myeongdong is the part of Seoul most first-time visitors see first, and often stay in. It is a grid of pedestrian streets packed with skincare shops, clothing chains, street food carts, money changers and hotels, between City Hall and Namsan Mountain. Seoul residents tend to say it is “only for tourists”, and in a sense it is. But it is also extremely convenient, very central, and the easiest place in the city to do your beauty shopping in one go. This guide covers how to get there, what to buy and where, what street food really costs, the sights hidden in and around it, and the winter season when Myeongdong lights up. Checked in October 2026 . Myeongdong in one box • Subway: Myeongdong Station (Line 4, exits 5–8) or Euljiro 1-ga (Line 2) for the department stores • Best for: skincare and cosmetics, mid-price fashion, street food, money exchange • Street food carts set up from late afternoon; busiest 6–9 p.m. • Bring your passport for instant tax refunds Getting there and g...

Korea has become one of the most popular new destinations for Indian travellers, thanks to K-dramas, K-pop, skincare and direct flights. Unlike visitors from the US or most of Europe, though, Indian passport holders cannot simply book a flight and go. You need a visa for mainland Korea, and since 2026 there is one more online step before you land. This guide explains which visa Indian tourists use, the documents you should prepare, what it costs, how long it takes, and the e-Arrival Card that visa holders also have to submit. We checked the Korean government's own e-Arrival Card Navigator for visa holders in October 2026 . Visa rules and checklists change and differ by consulate, so always confirm the final list with the visa application centre for your city before you apply. Short version • Indian citizens need a visa for tourism in mainland Korea. K-ETA and visa-free entry do not apply. • Tourists normally apply for a short-term visit visa (C-3-9) through the Korea Visa A...

Korea is one of the most card-friendly countries in the world. Koreans pay for almost everything by card or phone, from coffee to taxis, and many visitors spend a week in Seoul without ever breaking a ₩50,000 note. But “almost everything” is not everything. Market stalls, some small restaurants, and the transit card top-up machines still want cash, and a few things trip up foreign cards in particular. This guide covers how much cash to carry, where foreign cards work and where they do not, which ATMs accept them, and where to change money for a decent rate. Information checked in October 2026 ; at the time of writing one US dollar was worth about ₩1,325. Short version • Use a Visa or Mastercard for most spending; Amex works less widely • Carry about ₩50,000–₩100,000 in cash for markets, small shops and topping up a T-money card • Withdraw cash at ATMs marked Global ATM (in convenience stores and banks) • If you exchange cash, do it in the city (Myeongdong, Hongdae), not at the...