One might ask why somebody would even consider going to North Korea. The mysterious nature of the country will appeal to fringe travellers keen on going to out of the way places. North Korea is definitely out of the way. Only a handful of foreigners see this land each year, and many of them come from China. Keep in mind that independent travel is not allowed at all. Visitors will be accompanied by two guides and what is seen and done will be strictly controlled. It's all part of the package. There is a bright side to this. Tourists get the best accommodations and foods that North Korea has to offer, which are respectable if not cutting edge.
North Korea does not share the same political and economic liberties as their South Korean cousins. There are no mobile phones and internet access is almost non-existent. North Korea will leave a lasting impression on those who are willing to put up with a little bit of inconvenience. In any case, tourists are only allowed to stay for a maximum of five days.
What You Can Expect in Pyongyang
North Korea's capital city is where all visitors get their first glimpse of the country. Orwellian in nature and eerily silent during most of the day and night due to the lack of automobiles, Pyongyang has several monuments, museums and memorials glorifying the struggle against Japanese and U.S. aggression. The current leader of the nation is Kim Jong-il. A man who is perpetually clouded in mystery and almost never seen by his own people, he has been in control of North Korea ever since his father, Kim Il-sung, died in 1994.
The first stop on every itinerary is the Mansudae Grand Monument, a huge bronze statue of Kim Il-sung unveiled in 1972 to celebrate his 60th birthday. The best place to relax and get a closer look at some North Korean locals is on Moran Hill, a popular place to wander around and have a picnic. Guides will relax a little more here.
Accommodations in Pyongyang
Tourists will end up at either of these hotels.
- Yanggakdo Hotel – Situated on an island on the Taedong River, this large hotel has forty-seven stories and has a revolving restaurant on the top floor. Visitors can sporadically view the BBC on television. There is a casino and a bowling alley downstairs.
- Koryo Hotel – This is closer to the train station. There are five hundred rooms and there is a casino, where Chinese tourists go wild.
Drinking at the bar, playing billiards or chatting with the other foreign guests is about as exciting as it will get in the evenings. Remember, this isn't Shanghai, Tokyo or Seoul.
One Day Near the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
This narrow strip of land separating the two Koreas has been a constant source of strain and worry to U.S. politicians, keeping them awake all night and reminding them this could be the site of another world war. In actual fact, there is little to see other than soldiers on both sides of the border watching each other carefully. Still, approaching the border from the north is a rare experience. Ask the guides before you take any photos.
How to Get There
There's only one way in and out of North Korea and it's through Beijing, China. This is where you'll pick up your visa, and from here you can either take a plane, which is a one hour flight, or a train to the border at Dandong on the Chinese side and then on to Pyongyang via Sinuiju. The latter journey will take about twenty-three hours. Most trips are a combination of the two. The guides will be there to collect you at the airport or train station and see you off at the end of your trip.
Scott Hayden - Since joining Suite101 in early 2007, I've contributed articles about travel, history and health. My speciality is writing about workplace ...
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