Facts About Travelling in North Korea
The Hermit Kingdom Is an Unconventional Destination
One might ask why somebody would even consider going to North Korea, otherwise known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). 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, many of which 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. Actually, 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. Those who can put up with being out of contact for a while and watched every minute, (tourists are allowed to stay just a few days) North Korea will leave a lasting impression.
What You Can Expect in P'yongyang
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 at night due to the lack of automobiles, guides take extreme pride in showing tourists 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, but only just.
Accommodations in P'yongyang
Tourists will end up at either of these two 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 bowling alley downstairs.
- Koryo Hotel - This is closer to the train station. There are five hundred rooms and there is a casino here too, 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 eyeing each other tentatively. 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 (a one hour flight) or a train to the border at Dandong on the Chinese side and then on to P'yongyang via Sinuiju (about 23 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.
A View of P'yongyang
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