Hey all, North Korea closed its doors to tourist in 2020 and wont reopen till 2025. I went on a 4 day tour there a couple years back and honestly it wasn’t to amazing just a really sad experience, its hard to enjoy when you know what’s really going on behind the acting but anyways here is the little info i have to offer, Enjoy.
North Korea is a country of mystery and intrigue that has long been considered a veritable Holy Grail for bold travelers. Despite its notoriety for secrecy and isolation, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has thrown open its doors to tourism, offering a unique opportunity to enter a world quite unlike any other. Well, in this blog post, I am going to share with you my personal account of my journey into the heart of North Korea for 4 days and show how one can explore this enigmatic country on rather thin means. The Journey Begins
After months of planning and research, I was embarking on a 4-day tour to North Korea, thanks to one of the tour operators who specialized in DPRK tourism. The price: an amazingly affordable $500, which included all accommodation, meals, transportation, and guided tours. This was a cheap way to get a taste of what North Korea had in store without committing to a very long and expensive trip.
Day 1: Pyongyang Arrival
Pyongyang Sunan International Airport we were greeted by our guides from Korea who were with us for the remainder of the journey. We drove directly to the Sosan Hotel, well-appointed and sited right in the center of everything, which would be home for the next four days.
Day 2: Explore Pyongyang
On the second day, we went to Mansudae Grand Monument, a huge bronze statue of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. Later that day, we visited the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum. Devoted to offering a very different look into history, this museum was our next stop for the day. The afternoon brought us toward Kim Il-sung Square, where we watched a high-spirited performance by the Pyongyang Folklore Ensemble.
Day 3: Panmunjom and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
We went on an excursion to the Demilitarized Zone-quite arguably the most militarized border in the world-and onto the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom. The surreal experience took us inside the blue huts that straddle the Military Demarcation Line, separating North and South Korea.
Day 4: Farewell to Pyongyang
Our last day started with a visit to the Pyong-yang Metro, which is famous for its beautiful architecture and rich ornamentation. Next came a visit to the Tower of the Juche Idea, which allows viewing of spectacular panorama. Upon tour completion, we said goodbye to our guides and left Pyongyang with unforgettable impressions after this short but so amazing adventure.
Practical Information
Cost: US$500-4-day tour-inclusive of accommodation, meals, transport, and guided tours. Travel Agency: Koryo tours, specializing in travel to the DPRK Best Time to Visit: April-May or September-October, when the peak summer heat and harsh winter are avoided. Travel Requirements:
Valid passport
Chinese visa, in case of travel via Beijing
DPRK visa, which is arranged by the travel agency
To abide by the laws and regulations of the DPRK Concern for Security
My 4-day trip in North Korea had turned out to be a great eye-opener, with so many preconceptions actually superseded by curiosity. While one would say it is right that traveling in North Korea does not come without certain restrictions and guidelines, this affordable tour option gives an unparalleled opportunity to glimpse life within the world’s most secretive nation.
Ready to step off the well-trodden trail and into one of the world’s most enigmatic countries? Take a 4-day tour into North Korea, one that will shatter your perceptions and leave you with lifetime memories.