Live Your Best Lives
When it comes to North Korea, most people have unique labels for it. They call it "China in the 1980s," "the headline-grabbing system," "the gray state," and so on. Yet, few truly understand it, relying on hearsay. What is the real North Korea like? Today, we'll reveal the secrets of this fascinating country!
The answer is that you can choose to join a tour group without taking the bus.
However, "independent travel" in North Korea requires three North Korean staff members throughout the trip: a guide, someone who might be "looking after you," and a North Korean driver, all in a private car. A few European tourists are currently using this method, but it's significantly more expensive than traveling with a tour group.
Their philosophy seems to be that any foreigner entering North Korea cannot leave the sight of the security department. Even after returning to the hotel after the tour, they will still guard the lobby until late at night. If you are a tourist who "longs for freedom" and hopes to make a film, it is recommended to choose a group tour!
Due to the restrictions of North Korean policies, the areas open to tourists are extremely limited, so the tour routes of various travel agencies are similar, and tourists stay in the same hotel in Pyongyang throughout the trip without changing accommodations.
Main cities to visit: Pyongyang, Kaesong, Myohyang Mountain, Yongak Mountain, and Mount Kumgang.
Pyongyang: A Red Journey to Remember the Bitterness and Sweetness
Kaesong—The World's Most Difficult Border
Myohyang Mountain – Experiencing North Korea’s Beautiful Landscapes
photo by vickyqin
Basically, yes! North Korea doesn't restrict the identity of Chinese tourists. Whether you're a returned overseas student, have a US or European visa, or hold a political affiliation, these restrictions have no impact on your travel to North Korea. However, depending on North Korea's requirements, a service fee will be added for visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or other foreign countries.
Many tourists worry that having a North Korean visa in their passport will affect their future visa applications to European and American countries. In fact, in principle, there is no such impact.
Currently, the main domestic departure points are Dandong, Dalian, Shenyang, Beijing, and Shanghai, with flights and trains being the main means of transportation. Entering by train or bus will not result in a North Korean visa stamp in your passport; only an entry-exit stamp from the Chinese border control will remain.
Direct flights from Shanghai to Pyongyang require a separate entry visa to North Korea. Entry and exit are all on one piece of paper, which will be collected by the North Korean side when leaving the country, and will not leave any trace on the original passport.
Tips:
List of materials: original passport (valid for more than six months), two 2-inch color photos (ID photos), photocopy (or scan) of the front and back of the ID card, visa application form, North Korea travel registration form
To impress tourists, especially those with friendly ties to China, North Korea provides us with meals of the quality they would use for foreign guests, complete with stir-fried dishes, though the menu is limited. Several groups of us, having traveled to over 20 countries and tried countless group meals abroad, have concluded that North Korean group meals are the most conscientious, bar none.
Breakfast is mostly buffet style, with Chinese options such as porridge, kimchi, and simple stir-fries, and Western options such as toast and fried eggs. Lunch and dinner are basically arranged at foreign-related restaurants along the way. There are many options, and the ratio of vegetables to meat is basically 1:1, so you will never feel hungry.
We will also arrange North Korean specialties: cold noodles, Kaesong copper bowl banquet, Korean hot pot, Pyongyang roast duck, etc. At noon in Kaesong, you can try Korean ginseng stewed chicken, which is at your own expense, 260 RMB per chicken, enough for four people.
Accommodation is still at the level of foreign guests. There are two types of hotels in North Korea that cater to foreigners: special-class hotels (the highest level in the country) and first-class hotels (equivalent to three-star hotels in China). Special-class hotels include Yanggakdo, Koryo, and Xiangshan, while first-class hotels include Xishan, Liangjiang, and Youth Hotel.
Special-grade hotels all have their own power generation equipment. Although Pyongyang often experiences power outages due to power shortages, special-grade hotels are not affected. Special-grade hotel rooms are equipped with central air conditioning, which first-class hotels may not have.
photo by vickyqin
Since it's difficult to specify specific hotels in North Korea, I'd like to focus on the Yanggakdo Guesthouse where I stayed. One of the most luxurious hotels in North Korea, it's located on the Taedong River in Pyongyang, offering a perfect spot for enjoying the river's scenery. The rooms were clean and tidy, with a comprehensive range of amenities, including disposable toiletries (except for a razor), an electric kettle, and a hair dryer.
After a day's trip, activities can only be carried out within the hotel, so what entertainment facilities the hotel has is also a concern for most tourists.
The TV programs in the room include CCTV-1, CCTV-4, Phoenix and several other Chinese channels. There is a 24-hour revolving restaurant on the rooftop that overlooks most of Pyongyang.
The hotel has a KTV, a Macau Lisboa-style entertainment venue, table tennis halls, billiard tables, table tennis halls and other sports facilities, luxurious restaurants with different styles, a business center, swimming pool, gift shop, bookstore, mailbox, etc.
YES√
① You can bring home video cameras, cameras (lens within 200mm), tablet computers, and game consoles into North Korea.
② Because the schedule is tight and it is difficult to buy and eat fresh fruits locally, North Korea allows you to bring your own fruits into the country.
③ Credit cards and cash withdrawals are not accepted locally. It is recommended that each person carry 500-1000 RMB for daily use.
NO×
① It is prohibited to bring professional media cameras and military binoculars into North Korea.
② It is prohibited to bring in materials, publications, propaganda films that defame North Korea, American, Japanese, South Korean (South Korean) films or TV series, and religious propaganda materials.
③ You are not allowed to enter North Korea wearing clothes printed with the flags of countries such as the United States and Japan, nor are you allowed to bring items printed with images of North Korean national leaders into the country.
Since 2018, North Korea has significantly reduced its border checks on Chinese tourists. For example, in the past, tourists visiting Pyongyang would open their phones and other electronic devices for careful inspection, but now they only need to register the model and quantity.
With the country's increased openness, regulations on photography by Chinese tourists are becoming increasingly relaxed. Regarding photography, avoid photographing soldiers and military equipment. You can photograph freely at the three military checkpoints you pass when traveling to the southern military zone. Respect the local environment and avoid capturing negative images of North Korea.
Special Recommendation:
① Climb to the observation deck on the top floor of the theme tower and enjoy a 360-degree bird's-eye view of Pyongyang.
②The Pyongyang Metro captures North Korean culture.
③ In autumn, go to photograph the red leaves all over Myohyang Mountain and the golden ginkgo leaves in the Koryo Museum.
About Communications:
Yanggakdo Hotel has international long-distance calls, which cost about 17 yuan per minute.
About the network:
If you want to buy a Pyongyang SIM card, a 50MB data plan for four days costs around 1,400 RMB, which is quite expensive. Looking through various guides, I've found two well-known free Wi-Fi spots. The first is Panmunjom (inside the DMZ, parallel to the 38th parallel), where you can supposedly get a weak South Korean signal, but it wasn't working when I visited in April. (Pass) The second is the casino in the basement of the Yanggakdo Hotel, but you have to gamble to get the Wi-Fi password, which is also quite expensive. (Pass)
First-hand information sharing: Pyongyang Airport now provides paid WiFi. I have personally tested it and it is no problem to post on WeChat Moments and Weibo!
The operation process is as follows:
①After passing security check, go to the end on the left and find the WiFi service area
②Spend 15 RMB to get 10 minutes of Internet time. There are also other levels of 20 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes. The rich can choose whatever they want! Register with your passport number.
③Find a WiFi signal area (a coffee shop next to the boarding gate)
④Enter your username (passport number) and password to connect
⑤ Complete sharing on WeChat Moments and Weibo within 10 minutes, or have a historic conversation with your family and friends!
On April 22nd of last year, North Korea announced it would no longer conduct nuclear tests and set the tone for its future development: a shift in focus to economic development. I wonder what the country's future will be like in a few decades? Few can answer this question. But I do know it will change rapidly. So fast you won't have time to "peek" into this hidden world north of 38°N.
