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20 Must-See Sights in Pyongyang

Pyongyang, translated into English, means flat land. Once the ancient capital of the Choson, Koguryo and Koryo kingdoms, Pyongyang remains the capital of contemporary North Korea. After the destruction caused by the Korean War, Pyongyang has become completely modernized with towering skyscrapers, wide illuminated boulevards and relaxing green parks. Department malls, recreational centers, restaurants and draft beer bars sit between the revolutionary museums, imposing monuments and colorful murals that scatter the city. Pyongyang is home to the Workers’ Party of Korea and has become the most elaborate showpiece of the national Juche ideology. Although North Korea may be mysterious to many of us, this city is ready to show itself to the world.

Here are our top 20 must-see sights on a group tour  or private tour with us to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea!

Mansudae Grand Monument

The Mansudae Grand Monument is an iconic memorial most notable for its formidable bronze statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Each statue stands at 22 meters tall. It’s here that men, women, and children will make a visit to lay flowers at the feet of the past leaders who are seen as guiding fathers to the Korean people. It’s customary to line up and bow in front of the statues, a Korean form of greeting and a showing of respect. Photos are permitted, but you are advised not to mimic the Great Leader’s pose or to cut off any part of the statues in the frame. Kim Il Sung’s statue was once the only resident of Mansu Hill, but after Kim Jong Il’s passing in 2011, a similar statue was erected in his honor and Kim Il Sung’s facial expression and coat were altered to reflect a smiling grandfatherly image. Soon after, Kim Jong Il’s coat was renovated into the signature parka he wore during on-the-spot guidance field trips.

With a mosaic backdrop of Mt. Paektu and tributes to the ‘Anti-Japanese Struggle’ and ‘Socialist Revolution’ on either side, the Mansudae Grand Monument is the most sacred of its kind in North Korea and our number one must-see.

Kim Il Sung Square

Kim Il Sung Square is the major public space at the heart of Pyongyang. Similar to China’s Tiananmen Square, North Korea hold their well-publicized historical events, mass dance celebrations, military parades and even firework displays here. If you’ve seen goose-stepping North Korean soldiers on television, then you’re familiar with Kim Il Sung Square. The area can accommodate a massive 100,000 people and is surrounded by high-profile ministries, most notably the Worker’s Party of Korea headquarters. Other buildings on the square include the Grand People’s Study House, the Korean Central History Museum and the Korean National Art Gallery. You’ll get a fantastic view of the Tower of the Juche Idea across the river. If you’re in Pyongyang on one of our tours over a public holiday, we’ll often get to witness special festivities right on location.

Tower of the Juche Idea

Opposite Kim Il Sung Square perched on the riverbank, you’ll spot the imposing Tower of the Juche Idea. This is North Korea’s tallest monument. This obelisk commemorates the state ideology of ‘Juche’ developed by Kim Il Sung. ‘Juche’ is loosely translated as ‘self-reliance’ and is otherwise the foundation to the political and economic isolationism of North Korea today. Exactly 25,500 granite blocks make up the Juche Tower, each representing a day in the life of Kim Il Sung by his 70th birthday. At the tower’s entry, the local guide will show you a wall of plaques and tributes from those supporting the Juche ideology internationally. When we visit, we’ll take you to the top and you’ll get the best views of Pyongyang all to yourself.

Arch of Triumph

This is typically the first site you’ll visit after reaching Pyongyang. The Arch of Triumph is not to be confused with the 10-meters-shorter Arc De Triomphe in Paris and was built in the exact spot Kim Il Sung was met with thundering applause upon his return from victory over the Japanese and liberation of Korea. Kim Il Sung became determined for liberation by 1925, but it wasn’t until 1945 that he became successful. These dates are now immortalized on the arch itself, as is the poem “Song of General Kim Il Sung”, a piece recited on State television every day. The Arch of Triumph is a spectacle to drive under at night and we can even take you up an elevator to get a clear view of the nearby Kim Il Sung Stadium.

Monument to Party Founding

The Monument to Party Founding was built in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Worker’s Party of Korea. The Worker’s Party of Korea is the founding and ruling party of North Korea helmed by Kim Jong Un as Chairman. The party is credited with the victories of the Korean people and this accolade is idealized in the monument’s design. The hammer, sickle, and brush represent the idea that individuals themselves hold the key to North Korea’s prosperity under Juche. To the front of the monument is a landing area known to host mass dance and celebration. The red buildings behind represent the waving flag of the Worker’s Party of Korea and are topped with the words “Ever Victorious”. This is a Postcard-Pyongyang selfie you’ll never forget.

Grand People’s Study House

This traditional Korean-style pavilion is North Korea’s largest library with 600 rooms and the capacity to hold up to 30 million books. Kim Il Sung endorsed the idea of ‘study while working’ and so the library offers short courses covering topics such as science and architecture, reading areas packed with ‘revolutionary materials’ and even free lectures and video presentations. The complex is designed to encourage personal development outside work hours. As a tourist, enjoy patriotic tunes in the ‘Music Appreciation Room’, surf the North Korean intranet at an available computer, catch up on some light reading with an English-language ‘Complete Encyclopedia of Chickens’ or perhaps visit room 1004 housing the ‘Works of President Kim Il Sung and books on his greatness.’

Pyongyang Metro

The Pyongyang Metro isn’t just the deepest metro system on earth, it’s a nuclear bunker with purpose-built blast doors and an ultra-nationalistic museum of North Korea’s revolutionary history, ideals, and achievements. Each station is uniquely themed. The ‘Golden Soil’ station celebrates agriculture by showcasing murals of wheat harvests and fresh fruit, while the walls of ‘Construction’ station include mosaics of smiling laborers at work as Kim Il Sung offers field guidance. Statues, bronze plaques, and ornaments scatter the platforms. Transiting here alongside some of the 700,000 locals that do each day will mean leaving with a stronger understanding of what it means to be North Korean.

Kumsusan Palace of the Sun

The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is the final resting place of Eternal President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il. Inside separate rooms, their embalmed bodies lie presented inside climate-controlled clear glass sarcophagi for public viewing. Visiting the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is a formal affair; men will require a collared shirt, tie and trousers and women must dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Photography isn’t permitted. Prior to entry, you will go through metal detectors, have your shoes cleaned and walk through purpose-built dust blowers. It’s mandatory to bow before each Great Leader three times. Many of the leaders’ most prized possessions are also on display, including a yacht, Mercedes, golf cart and train carriage. This is a somber yet surreal visit that may just define your trip to North Korea. The Palace is open just twice a week and closed in May and June, so on a short visit to North Korea, make sure it’s included!

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum

The Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum is a newly renovated exhibit of the Korean people’s fight against foreign invaders. You’ll be assigned a female military-guide and she will provide you with a North Korean version of history that’s generally left unheard or discredited. The museum is filled with historical photography and video, expansive dioramas, remnant displays and otherwise incredible attention to detail. Before entering, you’ll see captured US Army helicopters, shot down US Army planes and even the infamous USS Pueblo, America’s ‘Spy Ship’ still held hostage by North Korea that you can board and inspect for yourself.

Mansudae Art Studio

The Mansudae Art Studio is the largest and most prestigious fine arts studio in North Korea. The state artists here have mastered the socialist-realist style and since 1959, have provided North Korea with their ubiquitous monuments, statues, murals, posters, and even lapel pin designs. The hereditary Kim leadership endorses this studio exclusively to depict their likeness, so on any itinerary to Pyongyang you’re likely to become a connoisseur of their works. Beyond the workshops, we’ll visit a gallery here and you’ll have the chance to buy the ultimate North Korean souvenir for your lounge room wall.

Mangyongdae Native House

Nestled privately inside a tranquil park you’ll find Mangyondae Native House. This modest straw-thatched home is President Kim Il Sung’s official birthplace and where he spent his childhood. He was born on April 15th, 1912, but in North Korea this year is better known as Juche 1, the North Korean calendar year is pivoted off Kim Il Sung’s birth. Your visit to Mangyondae Native House will likely be shared with school groups eager to catch a glimpse inside the early years of their Eternal President. It is customary to lay flowers at the Kim Il Sung memorial plaque outside.

Munsu Water Park

Munsu Water Park is a massive international standard water park, possibly the last thing you’d expect to see in Pyongyang. In the lobby, you’ll first be greeted by a wax likeness of Kim Jong Il smiling by the seaside, then you’ll be handed a socialist-style bathing suit and let loose to make a splash with the locals. There is a myriad of vibrant water slides, an Olympic-sized lap pool, an ocean wave pool and even a lazy river to float down. If swimming isn’t your thing, you’ll find a rock climbing wall, volleyball courts, trampolines, a draft beer hall, and coffee shop, even a barber to get yourself a haircut! After a long day of sightseeing in Pyongyang, Munsu Water Park is a welcome change of pace.

Korean People’s Army Circus

North Korea is renowned for its performing arts and you’ll see why during the Pyongyang Military Circus. It’s a one-hour extravaganza of acrobatic routine, trapeze artistry, juggling and vaulting that sees performers catapult across the stage with a display of balancing skills that’ll blow your mind. The intermission skits are militaristic in nature and keep the North Korean crowd in stitches. It’s common for foreigners to be plucked from the sidelines to join simple acts in the spotlight. Revolutionary displays of music performance and nationalistic marches are included as part of the entertainment. There are no animals used in the show. It’s simple lighthearted fun, the North Korean way!

Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery

Situated on a hillside overlooking Pyongyang, this cemetery features rows of individually sculptured bronze busts of the fallen comrades that were pivotal to the liberation of Korea from the Japanese. The most famous of these is Kim Il Sung’s first wife, Kim Jong Suk, affectionately known as the ‘Mother of Korea’. She has reached a level of admiration in North Korea otherwise only enjoyed by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and her grave can be found here. School children and soldiers visit the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery to lay flowers and give thanks to Kim Jong Suk for her heroic anti-Japanese efforts. The sheer detail and impeccability of this site make it notably unique, and the view itself of Pyongyang city from the top is spectacular.

Foreign Languages Bookshop

The Foreign Languages Bookshop is the best place to pick up souvenirs in North Korea. You’ll find texts ranging from Kim Jong Il’s Songun policy, pamphlets filled with anecdotes of Kim Il Sung’s life to coffee-table spreads with high-quality images inside the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. The Great Leaders’ complete works have been transcribed into English, French, Chinese, Spanish and Russian and so have North Korea’s daily newspapers and state magazines. Aside from literature, you’ll find anti-American postcards, historical stamp collections, hand-painted posters and even locally distributed DVDs on Pyongyang’s iconic traffic ladies.

Ryugyong Hotel

One of the first questions you’ll ask your guides after arrival to North Korea will be: ‘What is that giant futuristic pyramid?’ This is the 105-floor Ryugyong Hotel and it dominates the Pyongyang skyline, singlehandedly rocketing North Korea’s capital into the 21st century. Construction began in 1987 and until 2009, it was the tallest hotel in the world. Originally intended to house over 3,000 guest rooms, it was never opened to the public and remains under construction, now planned to be a one-stop-shop for revolving restaurants, hotel rooms, apartment rentals, and business space. One can only speculate as to whether it will ever be finished and what will be inside when it is.

Meari Shooting Range

Fancy firing a rifle or a revolver in North Korea? Meari Shooting Range was renovated with cutting-edge upgrades in 2014 and we can take you to test your shooting skills under the guidance of a female Korean People’s Army Officer. The spread of your shots is recorded and displayed on computer screens alike a bowling alley, so you can challenge your friend in the booth beside or just have the spectator’s gallery critique your technique in safety. For 20 Euro, it’s also possible to try your hand at some live pheasant that’s then cooked and served to you for dinner. Compound archery is also available here. When you’re done, you’ll take home a result scorecard for bragging rights.

Pyongyang Film Studios

Come and visit North Korea’s very own Hollywood, the studio behind a plethora of domestic films fixated around the anti-Japanese struggle and the Korean War. Kim Jong Il was a huge fan of film and is said to have even enjoyed the works of James Bond and Rambo; he visited this studio 600 times! Film is a passion for many North Koreans and you’ll see cinemas scattered around Pyongyang. Pyongyang holds an international film festival every two years. At the studio, you’ll tour the post-production complex and the film sets replicating streets and buildings from stereotypical visions of China, Japan, Europe and even South Korea. You’ll also find villages modeled after ancient Korea and tourists are able to let their hair down here and dress up in dynastic movie props for a photo-shoot with their guides.

Pyongyang Golf Course

Pyongyang Golf Course is North Korea’s only golf course. It’s an 18-hole course of international length and in fantastic condition with well-maintained fairways, sand bunkers and freshly cut putting greens. The facilities here include a lavish clubhouse, restaurant, souvenir shop and motorized buggies. You won’t need a tee-time, the course will likely be empty and you’ll have your own personal North Korean caddy to guide you through the grassland complex. Photography is banned for the first five holes extending out into Taicheng Lake. If you’re into golf, this is the course you can none of your friends have played, guaranteed.

Pyongyang Sci-Tech Complex

Discover North Korea’s latest in science and technology at the new and extravagant atom-shaped Sci-Tech Complex. The buildings are entirely powered by a grid of visible solar panels. The lobby is pillared by a model carrier rocket, said officially to ‘symbolize a grand house of science’. The complex itself is filled with e-libraries, exhibition areas including an earthquake simulation room and a model operating theatre, science games for all ages, rooms designed for presentations or lectures and the latest in computer technology inclusive of touchscreen displays. Institutions and individuals are able to connect to these resources from home using the intranet. The construction of this complex and the recently completed Mirae Scientists’ Street is a testament to North Korea’s commitment to scientific development.

BONUS: The Pyongyang Marathon

Once a year, the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon is held in Pyongyang and it’s one of the most incredible ways to experience North Korea’s capital. This is your chance to break from your guides and run through the streets of Pyongyang side by side professional runners from all over the world to the cheer of roaring North Korean spectators. You can compete in a full or half marathon lengths, or even a 10k or 5k race. The route will pass major landmarks such as the Arch of Triumph and Kim Il Sung Square, giving you a unique point of view otherwise not possible. No matter your skill level, you’ll feel like an Olympic runner as you finish the race inside Kim Il Sung Stadium to a packed house of 50,000 cheering North Koreans. The atmosphere alone is something you’ll never forget. This is a historic event and if you’d like to be part of it, we hold marathon tours during April each year and you can find the schedule here .

You’ll visit many of these sights on a  group tour with us to Pyongyang, and there are further sights we can arrange for you on a private tour . Want to visit outside Pyongyang? We can organize visits to all 9 provinces of North Korea, covering all corners of the country. There is more to see than you may expect!  Contact us and we will provide the available options.

Filed under: Uncategorized , uritours | November 14, 2017

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12 Things to Do in Pyongyang, North Korea

You don’t get a moment’s rest when you travel in North Korea – be ready for an intense trip of endless sightseeing and activities!

North Korea is not your typical travel destination. Everything is strictly controlled and you’ll be ushered from place to place by two tour guides who you must stick with at all times. You’ll have your entire itinerary planned out for you, often starting each day at 8 am and returning to the hotel late at night. Travelling in North Korea is certainly not a holiday as your itinerary will be totally jampacked.

Your time in North Korea will most likely be centred around its showcase capital, Pyongyang. You’ll do a lot of sightseeing here, with the occasional morning or afternoon trip out to places like the DMZ or Mount Myohyang.

Contrary to popular belief, there are actually a lot of things to do in Pyongyang. From monuments to museums, and funfairs to talent shows, this blog post will show you what you can expect to see during your time in North Korea’s capital city.

The key thing to bear in mind is that you won’t get to see the real North Korea. You’ll be ferried from place to place with zero opportunity for independent exploration. You’ll only see what they allow you to see, in what I believe is a very tightly controlled tourist route. These are, what I would call, showpieces of the regime.

Things to do in Pyongyang, North Korea

Visit kim il sung square.

Kim Il Sung Square is the main square of Pyongyang and is a sight not to be missed. When parades are on, it’s the place to be, otherwise, it’s the least busy city square in the world. We were there when wasn’t a parade; it was quite strange to visit an empty square and it felt a little post-apocalyptic.

Ride the Pyongyang Metro

At 110 metres underground, the Pyongyang metro is the deepest metro station in the world. Covered in propaganda, images of the Kim family, and with station names such as ‘Comrade’, ‘Glory’ and ‘Reunification’, riding Pyongyang’s metro is really quite an experience.

Before 2010, tourists in North Korea were only allowed to ride between two stations, giving rise to a conspiracy theory that the metro was purely for show and that the passengers were actors. We rode for 5 of the 16 stops during rush hour, where there were hundreds of citizens boarding the train. It seems unlikely that this rumour is true.

Go to the top of the Arch of Triumph

Pyongyang’s very own Arch of Triumph greeted us as we came out of the metro at Kaeson Station. It closely resembles the Arc De Triomphe in Paris, but, as our guide kept repeating, it’s the tallest Arch of Triumph in the world and is 11 metres taller than the Parisian one. I told her I was impressed.

There is an observation deck at the top of the Arch which you can go up to for 15RMB (about 2USD). At the top, you’ll be treated to impressive views of the surrounding area including Kim Il Sung Stadium, Moran Hill and the Ryugyong Hotel.

Visit Kaeson Funfair

The Kaeson Funfair – located near the Arch of Triumph – provided what I felt was the most genuine insight into life in North Korea. The funfair was the only place where we were allowed to wander around somewhat freely. Our guides let us mingle with the locals a little and stood guard along the pathways leading to the entry and exit points.

We were, however, told that we should skip all the queues and go straight onto any ride we wanted, because “we’re Western.” This annoyed me, as I didn’t feel that this presented a good view of us as Westerners to the citizens of North Korea. Perhaps they didn’t mind, but as a Brit, orderly queues are an essential part of my culture!

Visit Kumsusan Palace of the Sun

Kumsusan Palace of the Sun used to serve as the official residence of former Supreme Leader Kim Il Sung. His son, Kim Jong-Il, converted it into a huge mausoleum, where Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il are laid to rest. Their embalmed bodies are preserved inside climate-controlled glass sarcophagi for public viewing.

My visit to Kumsusan Palace of the Sun made me feel very tense, as we had to walk the hall in lines of four and were not to speak.

We had to bow three times to each leader, once at their feet, once at their left side, and once at their right. It was surreal to see real bodies laid on display in this way, and the number of guards watching our every move was extremely intimidating.

Check out Kim Il Sung’s family home

Nestled privately inside a tranquil park you’ll find Mangyondae Native House. This modest straw-thatched home is Kim Il Sung’s official birthplace and where he spent his childhood. He was born on April 15th, 1912, but in North Korea, this year is better known as Juche 1. Yes, the North Korean calendar year starts from Kim Il Sung’s birth.

Your visit to Mangyondae Native House will likely be shared with school groups eager to catch a glimpse inside the early years of their Eternal President. It is customary to lay flowers at the Kim Il Sung memorial plaque outside.

Visit Mansudae Hill

On top of Mansudae Hill sits two giant bronze statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. It’s one of the most sacred sites in North Korea, and visitors must march solemnly toward the statues and bow to them to show respect.

Kim Il-sung – the one with his arm outstretched – was the original monument, unveiled in 1972 to celebrate the leader’s 60th birthday. Kim Jong-il’s statue was added after his death in 2011.

Visit the Monument to Party Founding

Utterly simple design yet undeniably socialist, Pyongyang’s version of the hammer and sickle comes with an extra paintbrush! Built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Worker’s Party of Korea (I wonder if there are any other political parties?), it is also flanked by two buildings on either side of the monument with communist slogans written in Korean.

The North Koreans have by now become such experts in building monuments that this has become one of their exports to the world. North Korean monument makers have been shipped to places like Angola to build structures in concrete or marble.

Explore the National Library

When we were told we were to be visiting the National Libary, I expected it to be quite boring, but it was actually extremely interesting. It gave us an insight into what Western literature North Koreans are exposed to, which turns out isn’t a lot, but they did have Harry Potter, Shakespeare’s works and Sherlock Holmes.

One of our tour guides who had been really quite stilted and unwilling to talk about her personal interests throughout most of the trip started to open up when I asked her if she’d read Harry Potter. Her face lit up and she said “it’s my favourite! In Chamber of Secrets where Harry sings Happy Birthday to himself – that makes me sad. And Hermione is so brave!” From then on, she was a lot more willing to answer my questions about life in North Korea – it seems that a good book brings people together everywhere in the world.

Watch a school talent show

Your North Korea tour will most likely take you to a local school in Pyongyang, where you’ll watch a talent show. The talent show was very impressive, where the kids put on performances with dance, singing and musical instruments. Apparently, many people in North Korea are very talented as they’re taught singing and dancing during primary school.

Eat a lot of kimchi

I couldn’t not include kimchi in this list – you’re in Korea! You’ll be served it with almost every meal so you don’t really have a choice.

In case you’re not sure, kimchi is a staple food in Korea. It’s a traditional dish of salted and fermented vegetables, usually cabbage or radish, seasoned with spring onions, garlic, ginger and more. I promise it’s much tastier than it sounds!

If you’re not a fan of kimchi, don’t worry – you’ll be very well-fed in North Korea and will have lots of choices.

Explore the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum

The Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum is a large museum and exhibit dedicated to artefacts from the war. On arrival, you’ll be assigned a female military guide who will show you around the museum and present North Korea’s version of history.

The museum is filled with historical photography and video, expansive dioramas, remnant displays and otherwise incredible attention to detail. Before entering, you’ll see captured US Army helicopters, shot down US Army planes and even the infamous USS Pueblo, America’s ‘Spy Ship’ still held hostage by North Korea that you can board and inspect for yourself.

Further North Korea reading :

• How to visit North Korea as a tourist
• Read about my personal experience in North Korea
• Is it ethical to visit North Korea?

About The Author

Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger based in London. She writes about active adventure travel, aiming to encourage and inspire travellers to make the most of the great outdoors.

Thank you for reading! If you found this post useful, I’d be grateful if you would consider using the affiliate links below when planning your travels. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This will help me to keep this blog running. Thanks for your support – Lauren. Hotels –  Booking.com Hostels –  Hostelworld Cheap flights –  Skyscanner Travel insurance –  World Nomads Outdoor gear –  Decathlon  /  GO Outdoors Cycling gear –  Chain Reaction Cycles Alternatively, you could buy me a coffee to say thanks!

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14 Top Things to See in Pyongyang | North Korea

LAST UPDATED: 10th March 2024

Pyongyang, the capital city of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), is a unique and fascinating place. The main things to see in Pyongyang are showcasing the history of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the conquests of the supreme leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, and their desire for reunification with South Korea. There’s more to it than this but let’s save that for another blog!

Things to see in Pyongyang

Juche tower.

The Juche Tower is situated on the east bank of the River Taedong in Pyongyang, directly opposite Kim Il-sung Square on the west bank. It was built to commemorate Kim Il-sung’s 70th birthday. At the entrance you can see 82 friendship plaques from foreign supporters and Juche study groups.

The Arch Of Triumph

The Arch of Triumph, built in 1982, commemorates the Korean resistance to Japan from 1925 to 1945. After national liberation in 1945 from Japanese colonial rule, President Kim Il Sung returned home and delivered a triumphant speech to the Korean people and The Arch of Triumph was built close to this place.

The mosaic of this momentous occasion in 1945 when he said everyone should be involved in building a new country. Our guide told us that Kim Il Sung announced “The rich should dedicate their money, the strong should dedicate their strength and the wise should dedicate their knowledge.”

Arch Of Reunification

The Arch of Reunification (or Monument to the Three Charters for National Reunification), opened in August 2001, is located at the southern entrance to Tongil Street in Pyongyang. It symbolises the potential unity between two countries, North and South Korea. Towering over the highway, the grand arch represents twin sisters holding a sphere with a map of the unified Koreas, and has served as the representation of the nations’ dream to become one democratically governed ‘Koryo Federation.’

The 3 Principles of National Reunification will be achieved

• without the involvement of foreign powers
• without the involvement of war and
• with the will and participation of the whole Korean Nation

Monument To Party Founding

The Monument to Party Founding was erected in October 1995 (Juche 84) at Munsu Street to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea hence why the monument is 50m tall. Built on the instruction of Kim Jong Il, it conveys the proud history of the Workers’ Party of Korea composed of workers, farmers of ‘traditional’ communist ideology and intellectuals depicted by the hammer, sickle and brush seized by a worker, a farmer and an intellectual.

The Korean text on the surrounding circle reads; “The organisers of the victory of the Korean people and the leader of the Workers Party of Korea!” and the inner diameter of 42m reflects the year General Kim Jong Il was born (1942). The red apartments were built to represent the shape of the flags, the writing on the top essentially means ‘ever victorious’.

Mansu Hill Grand Monument

A 20 metre high giant bronze monument to Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il on Mansu Hill is one of the most sacred sites in North Korea. It is a collection of monuments (228 figures in total) and behind the Great Leaders is a mosaic mural portraying Mount Paektu, a mountain considered to be sacred within Korea.

On either side of the leaders, there are enormous stones with KWP flags and 228 bronze figures all standing at 5 meters high. This sculpture is symbolic of the socialist revolution and the struggle against North Korea’s imperialist enemies.

Visitors are expected to show the correct visiting etiquette by purchasing flowers to lay at the giant statues’ feet, marching in sombre line, hands by your sides, and bowing.

Taesongsan Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery

Taesongsan Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery is a memorial to the North Korean soldiers fighting for freedom and independence against Japanese rule. The cemetery is constructed on top of Mount Taesong, just outside Pyongyang and boasts a magnificent view of Pyongyang city if you catch it on a clear day.

Bronze busts adorn each grave but the most notorious is the grave of  Kim Jong Suk , wife of Kim Il Sung and mother of Kim Jong Il, hailed as an anti-Japanese war hero, can be found at the top of the cemetery. It is etiquette to bow to her statue. 

Kumsusan Palace Of The Sun

The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is a mausoleum complex of the DPRK leaders, President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il, who lie in state. Inside separate rooms, their embalmed bodies lie presented inside climate-controlled clear glass sarcophagi for public viewing.

All visitors are required to wear formal dress, you enter through metal detectors, step across show cleaners and go through blowers to rid your clothes of dust. It is mandatory to stand in a line and bow to the leaders 3 times, once on the left, then the head, then to the right. Their most treasured possessions such as yacht, Mercedes, and even the train that Kim Jong-il died in which was presented in the same state including the document for provisions of fish to the people with his final signature on it.  

The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is open to foreign traveller only on a Thursday and Sunday morning, or on special occasions. Strictly no photography is allowed until you reach the gardens. The visit is a surreal but interesting experience.

Fatherland Liberation War Museum

The Victorious Fatherland War Museum is a large museum devoted to North Korea’s victories against its imperialist enemies. You are greeted by large bronze war figures and a huge display of American tanks, helicopters and equipment all taken down or recovered. Upon entering the main museum, photos or recording of any kind was not allowed.

The USS Pueblo is on show at the museum which was attacked and seized by the North Korean Navy in 1968. One sailor was killed in the assault and 82 were captured and held prisoner for 11 months before they were freed, their ‘confessions’ are on show inside the ship. This Cold War spy ship is the only U.S. Navy vessel being held by a foreign government.

Grand People’s Study House

The Grand People’s Study House is the national library of North Korea. It is located in the centre of Pyongyang and forms the background of Kim Il Sung Square. It took a year and 9 months to be completed and was opened in April 1982 to coincide with President Kim-Il-sung’s 70th birthday.

It is stocked with 30 million books and can accommodate 10,000 people per day. We joined an English class and the students were super excited to try out their English on a native speaker.

Pyongyang Metro

The Pyongyang Metro consists of two lines with 17 stations and is one of the deepest metros in the world, with the track reported to be 110 metres (360 ft) deep underground as it also serves as a bomb shelter. Socialist realist art such as mosaics, murals and statues can be found in the stations. Trains run every 3 to 5 minutes with 500,000 riders per day.

There are 2 main stations that tourists see although it is now possible to ride on the rest of the metro. Prosperity Station, the first stop on Line 1 is one of the larger stations and Glory Station. has chandeliers that represent the fireworks that went up after the end of the Korean War. The North Koreans can be seen at the newspaper stands looking for the latest scoop on the Trump and Kim Jong-un Summit in Vietnam.

Kimilsungia And Kimjongilia Flower Exhibition Centre

Kimilsungia is a tropical orchid strain that was presented to President Kim Il Sung as a gift during his visit to Indonesia. Kimjongilia is a begonia strain named after Kim Jong Il.

The Kimilsungia exhibition can be seen around Kim Il Sung’s birthday (Festival of the Sun) on the 15th of April. The Kimjongilia exhibition can be seen around Kim Jong Il’s birthday (Festival of the Shining Star) on the 16th of February.

Mirae Scientists Street

Mirae Scientists Street (Future Scientists Street) was formally opened in 2015 and was developed to house scientific institutions and their employees. The tallest building is the 53-story blue Mirae Unha Tower. The street is designed to emphasise Kim Jong-un’s focus on science and technology, built around the regime’s nuclear weapons development. Mirae Scientists Street was reportedly the first location where the Mirae public WiFi network was installed.

Korean People’s Army Circus

Pyongyang Circus was completed on May 1, Juche 78 (1989) so it is a fairly modern building filled with trophies in the corridors. You will be in awe of the daring trapeze and acrobatic routines, some had me hiding behind my hands as they were elegantly thrown from one side of the room to the other.

There were comedy interludes with audience participation. however, I was devastated to see a bear in one of the performances, we were not warned before the show.  I’m told this does not happen in the Korea People’s Army Circus.

Performances By The Socialist Women’s Union

Every morning the workers are encouraged and motivated by the beats of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea. They performed for 2 hours and we saw different coloured uniforms around the city. These ladies were in a prime spot in front of the Grand Theatre where revolutionary operas and dances are performed.

The Socialist Women’s Union of Korea is the oldest and one of the most important mass organisations in DPRK. Membership has been restricted to those women who are not members of any other mass organisation. As a result, Union members are effectively composed of women who do not work outside of the home. Women between the ages of 31 and 60 are eligible for membership, although if a woman marries and becomes a housewife, she is eligible regardless of age.

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20 comments.

Such a historical detailed blog post on Korea! I would love to visit there someday. I would be interested to seeing the army circus and watching their creative talents.

There’s so much history that I learnt through being there and my own research. It was a fascinating trip for sure!

Such a fascinating place and history! Not sure if I’ll ever visit but interesting read and nice to see so many photos, thanks for sharing.

It was fascinating and I’m glad to have experienced it, very different to any other country I have been to for obvious reasons.

Hmmn…I wouldn’t go even if paid to.What you didn’t mention was that you had a state guide telling you hat to take photos of and showing you “tourist approved” spots to take photos of. The citizens you obviously saw you couldn’t speak to freely. I could go on… What a very stark and dry city!

Totally agree, you are shown what the guides permit you to see! My next post will be more about the dos and donts but this was more showing the history of some of the monuments in Pyongyang.

Great photos of Pyongyang! I didn’t even realize you can travel to North Korea. How were you able to visit? Did you need a visa?

You can only travel with state-owned tours, you get a minimum of 2 guides per group and the visas are issued by companies in Beijing. The guides stay with you the whole time, even stay in the hotel, no wandering off of your own. Very different to any other country I’ve visited.

Your pictures are very pretty and you put a positive spin on a controversial place. It is our history and I appreciate your post showing the area and teaching some about the history of North Korea. I, myself, would not want to visit the area, but I like to see how it looks and learn more about it. I guess that is what I am trying to say. I look forward to hearing more from you.

I wanted this post to be more factual about the monuments and the history behind them. Many people prefer to not go but I’m curious to see places for myself. There will be more coming!

Very interesting to see some of these places. Is it worth all the effort it takes to travel there?

I’m glad I visited. It’s like a step back in time really and it’s quite an experience on so many levels.

North Korea always remains a mystery to the outside world. We have different notions for the same. Your article provides a clear insight on the country and tourism points.

It really is the epitome of the hermit kingdom but the mystery isn’t fully unravelled with such a guarded visit.

I haven’t been to any place in Korea yet, but it has perpetually been in my dream country to visit. I love that you were able to divvy up with us all the historical places in Korea. The Arch of Triumph is something I should not miss to explore if I get the opportunity.

I’ve still to see South Korea to feel the contrast. There will be more blogs to come from places outside Pyongyang… watch this space!

Visiting Korea is so on my bucket list. I am glad to be reading about Pyongyang. It has such a great history. I will certainly add this place to my itinerary for Korea. The pictures are amazing too! Can’t wait to explore Pyongyang soon. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you so much, glad you liked the blog and photos. It’s a surreal experience but one I’m happy I did, I hope you make the trip.

It’s always been my dream to visit North Korea, however, I’ve never found affordable tours. I heard Chinese travel agencies tend to charge a lot less but I don’t know if they’ll process foreign passports. I really hope I’ll be able to go soon.

Ours were organised from Beijing and the passports in my group were from all over. Visiting North Korea is a surreal trip but one I’m glad I experienced.

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Getty Images/Flickr RM

An ideological statement forged in concrete, bronze and marble, Pyongyang (평양; 'flat land') is the ultimate totalitarian metropolis, built almost entirely from scratch following its destruction in the Korean War. Every visit to North Korea focuses heavily and enthusiastically on the capital's monuments, towers, statues and buildings that glorify Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il and the Juche philosophy.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Tower of the Juche Idea

This tower honours the North Korean philosophy of Juche and was unveiled to mark President Kim Il-sung's 70th birthday in 1982. Indeed, the tower is made…

Monument to the Foundation of the Workers' Party

This startlingly bombastic monument has starred on the cover of more books about North Korea than almost any other. The three hands portrayed represent…

Mansudae Grand Monument

Every itinerary includes an homage to these vast bronze statues of the smiling Great Leader and Dear Leader, the latter in his trademark parka. The first…

Kim Il-sung Square

Pyongyang’s central square is where North Korea’s massive military parades normally take place. The plaza is ringed by austere-looking buildings: most…

Pyongyang Metro

Visiting the impressive Pyongyang metro is definitely a highlight of the capital. The network, which is made up of two lines, has a simultaneous function…

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum

Perhaps the most interesting museum in Pyongyang, this mouthful of an institution opened its current home in 2013 to mark the 60th anniversary of the end…

Triumphal Arch

Your guides will tell you proudly that the Triumphal Arch is 6m higher than its cousin in Paris, making it the largest of its kind in the world. The arch…

Chollima Statue

This impressive statue portrays Chollima, the Korean Pegasus. It’s an interesting example of how the North Korean state has incorporated traditional…

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Pyongyang | North Korea Travel Guide

By Koryo Tours

A guide to the North Korean capital Pyongyang

Pyongyang (평양 | 平壤) is the capital of North Korea and North Korea's largest city. Located in the heart of the Taedong River Valley, the city’s name literally means ‘flat’ or ‘peaceful’ land.

Pyongyang has a history stretching back thousands of years to the early foundations of Korean civilization. Ever industrious and fiercely independent, the city has had a distinct role in shaping Korean history.

American bombing almost totally destroyed the city during the during the Korean War (1950-3) and a new centrally planned city rose from the ashes. Pyongyang, along with Wonsan, is one of North Korea's two 'Hero Cities' for its prominent wartime role.

The city was largely rebuilt along socialist urban planning and architectural principles, though some influence of the pre-war city remains in street patterns and a handful of structures.

...Pyongyang is a city in a park. — 공원속에 평양이 있다.

Major construction drives developed specific sections of the city en masse each decade from the 1950's-1980's and once again in the 2010's.

The city's newest editions are the space-age Future Scientist and Ryomyong streets.

Beyond the grand architecture and monuments, many museums and history sights, traffic ladies, cold noodles, and lotus ponds, Pyongyang has a wide range of sights and activities for visitors.

Due to the large amount of subject matter on Pyongyang, we plan to updates this page periodically.

Names of Pyongyang

Throughout history Pyongyang has been known by a number of official names and nicknames:

* Sokyong: In contrast to the 'Northern Capital' and the 'Eastern Capital' (Tokyo), Pyongyang is the 'Western Capital' (서경 | 西京) due to its location in the western part of Korea, or 'west country' (서도 | 西道).

* Ryugyong , means 'Capital of Willows' (류경 | 柳京), and is perhaps best known for its association with the Ryugyong Hotel — Pyongyang's tallest building which remains incomplete to this day. Ryugyong is a poetic name given to the city for its large number of willow trees that line the Taedong and Potong rivers.

*Prior to 1945, Pyongyang was called 'Jerusalem of the East' due to its relatively large population of Christians. At one time the city had the largest population of Christians in East Asia outside of Manila.

*As the formost city in North Korea and seat of the DPRK government, Pyongyang is sometimes referred to 'Capital of the Revolution' ( 혁명의 수도 | 革命의 首都).

Pyongyang in Art, Film, Literature, and Music

* A Corpse in the Koryo (2006) and other Inspector O mystery novels by James Church are set in Pyongyang (and other locations around the world). James Church is the pseudonym for a former American diplomat with experience traveling to Pyongyang for US-DPRK negotiations.

*American-occupied Pyongyang in the autumn of 1950 is the setting for Richard Kim's novel The Martyred (1964).

Pyongyang Highlights

Arch of Triumph | A triumphal arch, bigger than it's Parisian counterpart.

The Juche Tower | Stone obelisk dedicated to the Juche Ideology.

Kim Il Sung Square | Pyongyang's central square.

Monument to Party Foundation | Iconic hammer, sickle, and writing brush sculpture.

Kwangbok Supermarket | Local supermarket in Pyongyang where tourists can use North Korean Won.

Kimilsungia Kimjongilia Flower Exhibition | Exhibition of the Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia flowers.

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum | Korean War Museum in Pyongyang.

Korean Film Studio | The studios for North Korean film productions.

Rungrado May Day Stadium | The world's largest stadium, situated in North Korea.

Kaeson Youth Park | Small theme park located close to Kim Il Sung Stadium.

Potong Gate | Pyongyang's old west gate.

The Grand People's Study House | The national library of North Korea.

Pyongyang Baby Home

Children's Traffic Park

Munsu Water Park | Massive water park where local North Koreans go to enjoy a day off.

Mirim Horse Riding Club | Horse riding in North Korea

Mangyongdae

Mansudae Grand Monuments | The statues of the leaders in Pyongyang.

Chollima Statue | Statue of the Chollima winged horse.

Arch of Reunification | Located on the Reunification Highway

Pyongyang Metro | The Pyongyang Metro system

Read more HERE: Pyongyang North Korea Travel Guide

Transportation

Sunan International Airport (FNJ), located 25 km north of the city, serves as Pyongyang's civilian airport.

Pyongyang is accessible year round by flight from Beijing (3-5 days a week), Shenyang (twice a week), Vladivostok (twice a week), and Shanghai (twice a week; high-season only).

There is an international sleeper train four days a week (Sat, Mon, Weds, Thurs) to Beijing and local train to the Chinese border each day.

Download the current schedule of trains and flights to Pyongyang for 2019.

The city lies at the centre of the DPRK’s highway network connecting to most other regions. Travel between other regions often requires passing through Pyongyang.

At the time of writing it is only possible to reach Mt. Paekdu, the Northeast and Rason via special charter flights in summer.

How to visit Pyongyang?

All foreign travellers to Pyongyang need to visit as part of an arranged tour.

Almost all of Koryo Tours regular North Korea group tours and independent tours visit Pyongyang.

Contact us for more details!

What else is going on in North Korea? Check out Koryo Tours' free 75-page guide to North Korea. Keep on eye on the Koryo Tours Blog for regular updates and new entries.

Updated 24 December 2019.

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North Korea Travel Guide: How to Visit Pyongyang as a Tourist

North Korea is one of the most secretive and mysterious countries in the world, yet before Covid-19 struck, the nation had also begun opening its arms to tourism.

This is how Jordan Simons visited Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, for 3 days as a tourist in December 2019.

UPDATE: This information was correct as of December 2019, however, because of the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the situation may now be different. Please scroll to the bottom of the article for the latest information.

Table of Contents

What do you need to know about North Korea before you go?

Here’s everything you need to know about travelling to North Korea:

How to book a tour to North Korea

Tourism in North Korea is unlike anywhere else on the planet, so it’s important to know what to expect before you go. Once you’ve crossed the border, your every move will be monitored and controlled by your local guides, and everything they allow you to do has been pre-authorised by the North Korean government. You’ll be on a strict itinerary, which means you can only go where they allow you to go. We can’t stress this enough, but if you step out of line, then you could get into some serious trouble.

Still interested? Ok then.. this is how you can arrange a trip to North Korea.

Read more: 9 Facts About North Korea (That You Haven’t Heard Before)

The first thing you need to know is that you are required to go through a specialised tour company. There are a few of them out there and they have varying itineraries and price points. The main operators currently are Koryo Tours, Lupine Travel and Young Pioneer Tours.

I went through Young Pioneer Tours , as it was recommended by a couple of friends of mine that had been previously. They have various options depending on your budget and time. Since I was short on time and was doing this as an add-on to my Great Wall of China Marathon trip, I opted for their 3-day Ultra Budget tour, which at the time of writing cost 495 Euros.

How to get a North Korea visa : The Chinese Visa Comes First

The tour I booked was overland via a train from China, which meant that I needed to get a multiple or double-entry China visa. You could either meet the group in Beijing or the weird border town of Dandong. I opted for the latter and covered the eery experience in the below YouTube video.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get the correct Chinese visa. We needed to get a double entry (to enable us to get the train back across the border) but something went wrong and they only gave me a single-entry China visa. I was told after that this is a common problem and it’s a much better idea to get a visa agent to handle it than put in the application yourself.

I had to pay an extra 400 euros to fly out of Pyongyang back to Beijing instead, in order to get the transit visa on arrival when landing back in China. It was my fault really; they advised me to get the Chinese visa through an agent and I ignored that advice to save costs! I went directly to the Chinese visa office in Bangkok, which apparently rarely gives out multiple entry visas – especially relating to travel to North Korea. You live, you learn!

There are also tours that do not require a double-entry China visa, as they fly in and out of Pyongyang. This allows you to qualify for a Chinese transit visa on the way there and back. This might be worth it for you depending on the length of the trip, the itinerary and the overall costs.

The North Korea Visa Guide

Ok so that’s the Chinese visa side of the process explained, but how about getting the North Korean visa? For me, Young Pioneer Tours arranged everything for my North Korea visa. All I had to do was fill out some forms and send a copy of my passport over email. This is standard practice for tour companies and they handle every part of the process (and that’s included in the cost of the tour).

So roughly a month before the trip, I sent a photocopy of my passport and filled out a form and that was genuinely it. Easy!

All I had to do next was meet them at the meeting point in Dandong China and they had the North Korea visa card ready for me. Compared to securing a Chinese visa, getting a North Korean visa is simple!

How can US Citizens get a North Korean visa?

Currently, most nationalities from around the world are able to get a North Korean visa, with the exception of people travelling on a US passport.

On 1st September 2017, the US enacted a travel ban on all US citizens travelling to NK. This was in response to the death of Otto Warmbier , who had fallen into a coma while imprisoned in North Korea and died soon after being returned back to his home country.

Because of this, all tour companies decided not to accept anyone travelling on a US passport.

Now I won’t beat around the bush. There are always inherent dangers when travelling to North Korea. It’s still not exactly clear what happened with Otto Warmbier, and I don’t feel I’m qualified to talk about it really, but just understand that this is a reality. It’s something that happened and it’s well worth being aware of before you think about visiting the country. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Most importantly: FOLLOW THE RULES when you’re in North Korea (something Otto Warmbier failed to do).

However, if you are a US citizen with dual citizenship and you have a second passport, you could travel at your own risk.

How long should you visit North Korea?

I went for 3 days but if I’m honest, I wish I had gone longer. The only reason I didn’t book a longer tour is that I was planning to be on another trip straight after and so had a conflict of dates. Unfortunately, that other trip didn’t work out, but that’s a story for another day!

I only had limited time, so I did the 3-day ultra-budget tour option. It meant that I got to see the limited highlights of Pyongyang but if I were you, I would do at least a week inside the country to really gain an insight into what North Korea has to offer – especially as you venture outside the capital on longer tours.

The longer tours enable you to see more of the North Korean countryside, visit the DMZ with South Korea and in many cases, interact with the local people in a more intimate way.

What can you take into North Korea?

If you are travelling to North Korea there are a few things you shouldn’t take with you, and please look up the list in full before going. Examples are religious texts, North Korean history books, guide books, any pornographic material and cameras with GPS ability (including drones).

As it happens, I was told you can get away with the GPS function on cameras (as most of our smartphones have it anyway). Just don’t be too obvious about it and do this at your own risk. Most people chose to leave their laptops and drones in their hostels or hotels back in China.

You are free to take photos and videos of most things – and are actively encouraged by the tour guides (after all, they only take you to where they want you to go!) – with the exception of military sites, military personnel and construction sites. This is also the case in many other countries, however, they are particularly strict on this matter and will go through your camera to delete photos and videos if you are caught.

Is North Korea safe to visit?

In terms of your safety within the country, I don’t believe I’ve ever been somewhere that has felt this safe – hear me out.

The main reason I’m saying that is that there is almost zero crime on a personal level. Theft, for example, is very unlikely to happen to a foreigner. I had no problem leaving my camera and lens in one carriage of the train while I was in the next.

While I completely understand that this is because the thief would receive the harshest of punishments and likely be treated in a very inhumane manner, I believe it’s a fact that is worth pointing out.

You’re also on a tour all the time with two North Korean guides, so there’s very little chance that anyone would target your tour group for any crime.

This obviously does not endorse your safety on a political level, as there is always a chance that North Korea could suddenly change its policy and hold you as a prisoner or worse. This is a reality and is definitely something that should be considered.

To make this clear, this article is just about how I visited North Korea as a tourist and my own personal experience. I am not saying that you SHOULD go there and obviously there are real risks involved.

For example, the GOV UK website advises against ALL but essential travel to North Korea. I’m not exactly sure what essential travel would be, but that’s the official advice.

The main thing I would say as well is that if you do go, just follow the advice of your guides. Here are some simple rules to follow:

• Do not make childish jokes about their idealogy or their leaders
• Do not wander away from the group and ignore the guidance you’ve been given.
• Follow the laws of their country while you’re there, the same as you would in any other country.

Can you still travel to North Korea after the Covid-19 outbreak?

North Korea was one of the first countries to close its borders after the Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China. They did this in February 2020, roughly a month before other countries around the world closed their own.

Experts have said that they made this move because they could not handle an outbreak within their own country due to insufficient hospitals and medical care. As it stands, they have also banned all foreign visitors from coming into the country in the near future.

While this may change over time, we do not expect the borders to be open to foreign visitors any time soon. I would suggest finding the latest news on North Korean travel on the Young Pioneer blog or Facebook page – https://www.youngpioneertours.com/blogs/

Check back in the future if you’re interested in learning more and please ask any questions you have about travelling to North Korea in the comments below.

As always, thanks for reading.

Traveler & Content Creator

My name is Jordan Simons and over the past few years I've learned how to travel the world continuously. Now I want to show you how to do the same.

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• 1.1 History
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By train
• 3.1 By metro
• 3.2 By taxi
• 3.3 By trolleybus
• 4.1 Day trips
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge
• 10 Stay safe
• 12.1 Health care
• 12.2 Embassies

<a href=\"https://tools.wmflabs.org/wikivoyage/w/poi2gpx.php?print=gpx&amp;lang=en&amp;name=Pyongyang\" title=\"Download GPX file for this article\" data-parsoid=\"{}\"><img alt=\"Download GPX file for this article\" resource=\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" src=\"//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-width=\"20\" data-file-height=\"20\" data-file-type=\"bitmap\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" class=\"mw-file-element\" data-parsoid='{\"a\":{\"resource\":\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\",\"height\":\"20\",\"width\":\"20\"},\"sa\":{\"resource\":\"File:GPX Document rev3-20x20.png\"}}'/></a></span>"}'/> Pyongyang ( Korean : 평양, P'yŏngyang ) is the capital city of North Korea , with about 2,750,000 inhabitants. It is on the Taedong River in the southwest of the country and is known as the Capital of the Revolution.

Largely destroyed during the Korean War in 1952, it was rebuilt to be a model city to boost morale in North Korea. The Russian-style architecture features wide boulevards and lots of green space and decoration. The streets are laid out in an orderly grid, and the city is divided into self-sufficient urban neighborhoods all with similar amenities nearby. As movement is restricted in the city, it stands out among large Asian cities for being spacious, uncrowded, and quiet.

Pyongyang has been an important city in the region for millennia. In the 300s and 400s, it was the capital first of Nanglang and then of the Goguryeo kingdom. Historically an important commercial center, in the 16th through 19th centuries it became the center of Christian missionary work in Asia.

When Korea was split after the end of World War II, the Soviet Army entered Pyongyang, and it became the temporary capital, which was later made official with the founding of North Korea. During the Korean War, it was largely destroyed as a result of the largest aerial raid of the entire war. With help from the Soviet Union, it was quickly rebuilt.

see also North Korea entry requirements and formalities

Nearly all visitors arrive either by plane or train from Beijing. You will need a visa before you travel and the authorities will need a minimum of 2 weeks to process it.

International flights use a new terminal opened in summer of 2015, featuring more seating, an expanded duty-free store, and additional amenities. The new terminal imposes a US$1 parking fee when exiting the lot.

Air China member of the Star Alliance, announced the resumption of thrice-weekly flights to Pyongyang in 2023, but as of February 2024 does not appear to be actually flying them yet. When available, Air China is preferred by most to Air Koryo due to its far more modern fleet of Boeing 737s.

Air Koryo operates flights to Beijing on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. These leave Pyongyang at 09:00 and return to Pyongyang from Beijing at 13:00.

The cheapest flights in and out of Pyongyang are to Shenyang for US$180 one way on Air Koryo, with service Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

If you are in a position to buy tickets within the country, they are on sale in the Youth Hotel's Air China office, which is about 10   km north-east of the city. They provide a free 30   kg baggage allowance. Tickets may also be purchased online through travel agents who typically interact with either the Beijing or Berlin Air Koryo offices. Expect to pay US$300-320 for a one-way ticket to Beijing.

There are two international train services to Pyongyang, from Beijing (via Dandong and Sinuiju ) and Moscow (via Zabaikalsk , Dandong and Sinuiju ). Western foreigners will usually be denied entry to North Korea by train (except for those specially chartered by tour companies).

For trains arriving at 39.0048 125.7366 2 Pyongyang station (평양역), foreigners must exit via the side door at the far end of the station from the gates. Don't join the scrum with the North Koreans, as you won't be allowed to leave via the same door. If you have transported anything via freight on the train, you'll have to go back the next day to pick it up. The (not very busy) customs office is around the back of the building, and is shut between 12:00 and 14:00. There are no charges for collecting customs-cleared goods, and the bureaucracy is fairly simple, especially compared to the chaos of the Beijing railway station.

Tourists to North Korea will need to be accompanied by an accredited guide or guides, who will arrange where you can visit and how you will get there. However, personal visitors of foreign residents in Pyongyang are free to go around by themselves, unless explicitly told not to by Korean authorities. This can happen, but is not always the case.

The metro system has two routes. However, if on a package tour, your short trip on the metro will be organised in advance. Only visitors of foreign residents may use the entire metro. Despite being old, the trains run quite efficiently, and are phenomenally cheap at ₩5 per journey irrespective of distance. The biggest drawback to this form of transport is that the metro is only on the west side of the river, while Munsu dong, where all foreign residents live, is on the east side.

Taxis can be taken, but drivers are wary of accepting foreigners. One exception might be the Koryo Hotel, near the railway station. Expect the driver to check with the hotel that he is allowed to take you. Generally around €5 will cover a medium distance one way journey, although the rate for foreigners is US$1/km before 18:30 and US$2/km in the evening.

By trolleybus

Foreign residents cannot use buses normally, but sometimes, a tour group sometimes organises the tour of the trolleybus system. However, getting around Pyongyang by trolleybus can be quite tricky, as the numbers displayed on the dashboard are not route numbers - they are the stopping pattern of the route. Routes itself are not numbered, only the stopping patterns, and routes itself are named after destinations.

• 39.03058 125.76806 7 Kimilsungia-Kimjungilia Flower Exhibition Centre . This centre houses two floors worth of flowers named after Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung. Kimilsungia flower shows are held every year in Pyongyang. Traditionally, embassies of foreign countries in North Korea each present their own bouquet of the flower to the annual exhibition.  

• 39.071696 125.711538 11 North Korean Film Studio . Where North Korean films are made, and see film sets based on Japan, Russia, China and South Korea.  
• 39.008 125.737 14 Stamp Shop ( Next to the Koryo Hotel on Changwang St ). Sells a huge variety of DPRK postage stamps, with designs ranging from Olympic sports to Korean food to DPRK history. You can also buy postcards and postcard stamps, although postage costs are lower on the second floor of the Koryo Hotel.  
• 39.028 125.775 16 Workers Party Monument . This monument is about the Workers Party of Korea. The hammer, sickle and brush are standing for the workers, farmers and the intellectuals. The ring around these the symbols represents their unification. Free .  
• 38.9888 125.7122 21 The Neutron Science Museum . The Neutron is a science museum displaying many science-related exhibits and objects. In the center, a North Korean Missile stands on display. ( updated Feb 2023 )

• Mangyongdae , the purported birthplace of Kim Il Sung, is 12   km from central Pyongyang and a good day trip. A collection of huts said to be the Leader's first home is the main attraction. The suburb also features a revolutionary museum , a funfair and a revolutionary school for the children of the elite.
• The Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery , around 15   km north east of the city, is a good day out. You walk up 300 steps, through gardens with hidden speakers playing mournful music, to fairly identikit bronze busts set on marble plinths. Seriousness, of course, is mandatory. Taking photos is fine, and on a clear day there are magnificent views over the city. At the foot of the hill there is a zoo and a park. One can visit both, at a small charge, although they are sometimes shut. As you approach, the metro terminus is on the right; it takes around 40 minutes to get back into town on the metro. In the zoo itself are a lot of tigers, dogs and chickens. The two Korean breeds of dog (the lighter coloured is the northern, the darker the southern one) are separated from one another by a steel fence and spend most of their lives barking at each other - quite an appropriate metaphor.
• Some of the tombs of the UNESCO World Heritage listing Complex of Goguryeo Tombs are located in the Taedong river basin outside Pyongyang.
• Panmunjom , the surreal truce village on the DMZ and demarcation line of North and South Korea, is an unforgettable historical site easily visited on a day trip from Pyongyang.

Normally, tourists in Pyongyang are restricted to guided tours. Personal visitors to foreign residents are usually free to wander around, though they may also be placed under the care of a guide.

• Swimming . Foreigners are allowed to use the main public swimming pool on Saturday mornings, and also the ice skating rink in winter. Medical aid may take a long time to arrive.  
• 39.02562 125.76812 2 Bowling . Bowling is available at Golden Lanes for minimal cost.  

Shopping options are limited. A few department stores exist but have very few things of interest to a visitor. Locals only shop from speciality stores selling groceries and other basic items. Arts and crafts and souvenirs can be purchased in places such as tourist sites and hotels. Some extremely sought-after North Korean souvenirs are metal lapel badges depicting the faces of one or more of the three Kims. They can be difficult for foreigners to acquire; it is often easier to buy them at home on eBay or similar auction sites. There have been reported cases of these badges being seized by customs at departure.

There are several competing prepaid cards available around town, which reduce the hassle of carrying money and change. The ubiquitous and oldest is from the Trade Bank (무역은행), and is available at the Pyongyang Shop in the Embassy district. Its balance is recorded at the hard-currency exchange rate. Guangbok and some stores dealing in local currency offer a card from the Central Bank (중앙은행) with a balance of local won. The Ryugyong commercial bank also offers a card accepted by the Ryugyong shop.

There are several government-run markets, selling a wide range of foods, as well as consumer goods such as shoes and DIY materials. The majority of these products are imported, but some local goods can be found as well. The prices for local products are extremely low by western standards, and the sellers are generally honest although prices are negotiable. These markets are identifiable by their blue, hemispherical roofs. However, apart from Tonghil market, foreigners are generally treated with caution. Indeed, do not be surprised if you are gently, but firmly, escorted from the building. There is no harm in this, providing you comply.

Tonghil market is perhaps the most interesting, as there are many relatively wealthy Koreans shopping there for items many other North Koreans are unable to afford. You need won to shop at these markets, which can be exchanged for hard currencies on the second floor. Photography is prohibited. In Tonghil, be aware that some theft does occur, although it is minimal.

The list of stores known to be open to foreigners consists of:

• 39.0217 125.7914 1 Pyongyang Store . The Pyongyang diplomatic store complex has fresh milk, a duty free section and tailor services. ( updated Oct 2015 )
• 39.0279 125.7554 2 Haemaji . The Haemaji complex features a grocery store, bakery, coffee shop and steak house. ( updated Oct 2015 )
• 39.0077 125.7383 3 CanGuang . The CanGuang complex near the Koryo hotel has a grocery store, cafe and hotel. ( updated Oct 2015 )
• 39.0278 125.7358 4 Potonggang . The Potonggang complex is a 3-storey department store selling food, home good and small appliances. Local currency is used, and there is a currency exchange point across the street. ( updated Oct 2015 )
• 39.0339 125.6923 5 GwangBok . Gwangbok is a 3-storey shopping complex joint venture with a Chinese company. The top floor has a food court, and the second floor has locally-produced clothing. Local currency is used and can be exchanged on the first floor. ( updated Oct 2015 )
• 39.03099 125.73083 6 Ryugyong . The Ryugyong shopping complex has a grocery store, furniture store, and kitchen supplies. There's also a cafe in the complex, a hardware store next door, and an electronics store across the street. ( updated Oct 2015 )
• 38.98 125.7329 7 Tongil Market . A bustling market with imported and local goods. One of the few places to buy fresh meat and produce, and with a bit of everything else. Prices on imported goods will not be significantly cheaper than at other stores, but one of the few places to shop alongside locals. Note: Tongil is not typically a permitted destination for short-term visitors. ( updated Oct 2015 )

Local residents generally eat at home, and as such the Pyongyang restaurant scene is lacking. You will normally eat dinner at your hotel. There are a number of small diners in the city, but they are mostly aimed at local workers and have rather spartan fare—boiled corn, kimchi, some fish or squid, white rice. The legal situation surrounding these semi-private establishments is complicated, and foreigners are not advised to eat at them. A famous local specialty of Pyongyang is cold noodles (랭면 raengmyeon ); ask your guide if (s)he can give you some opportunities to try it.

There are, however, several restaurants well-suited for tourists.

• Chongryu ( On the bank of the Pothong River ). Designed in the shape of a river cruise boat. A good choice for those fond of traditional Korean food, as over 120 Korean dishes are available.  
• 38.9782 125.731 1 Dangogi Gukjib ( Tongil St ). The most famous place for those who wish to try the Korean speciality of dog. Costs €30.  

• 39.02539 125.76822 2 Haedanghwa ( 해당화관 ), Okryu Taedong River Area 1 East (대동강구역 옥류1동) , ☏ +850 2 678 3333 . Teppanyaki-style restaurant with €30, €50 and €70 set meals. Considered one of the top restaurants in the country, the chefs have been trained in China. The name might have been changed from Haedanghwa to Ryugyong Service Complex in 2016. €30-70 .  
• 39.0173 125.7561 3 Mujigae Boat Restaurant ( Kim Il Sung Square ). A 2015 boat completed for the 70th anniversary of the workers party, the Rainbow boat has 8 food options: a buffet, a traditional Korean restaurant, a revolving restaurant on the 3rd floor, an outside snack bar, a coffee shop, a karaoke bar, four booth areas with a continental menu, and a convenience shop. A fee of USD1 or ₩5,000 is charged upon boarding in addition to the price of food.  
• 39.02874 125.75834 4 Okryu . On the bank of the Taedong River, Okryu was founded in 1960 and is one of the oldest restaurants in the country and one of the few with branches abroad. It is famous for its Pyongyang-style cold noodles. €3-6 .  
• Ryugyong Restaurant ( An Sang Taek St ). Specialises in beef dishes. Recommended for meat-lovers.  
• 39.0133 125.7511 5 Haebangsan . Famous for ox rib soup. USD5-10 . ( updated Sep 2015 )

There are few bars and clubs to which foreigners are allowed, although North Korean beer is available at hotels. Some may also offer Chinese and other foreign beers, such as Heineken. The local draught beer is excellent, and costs from €0.50 to €1.40.

There are three main places, apart from restaurants and hotels, where foreign residents go to socialise; the old Diplomatic club, near the Juche tower by the river, the Friendship, inside the Munsu dong foreigners' compound, and the Random Access Club (RAC), run by the UN, also inside the foreigners' compound.

Provided that transport (difficult) and permission (less difficult) is obtainable, all of these can be visited. The RAC Friday nights are legendary (not in an "Ibiza" way, though), although what passed for nightlife has dwindled as foreign aid organisations have left the country during 2009.

• 39.01786 125.76635 1 Taedonggang Brewery Restaurant . 7 types of Taedonggang beer are on tap (although only types 1, 2, 5 and 6 are generally available). The restaurant has a large projector typically showing Russian concerts, and brick walls that look out of place in the city. Fairly expensive for dinner, but recommended for drinks. The fries are recommended as a bar snack, although the locals prefer dried fish.  
• 39.0127 125.7624 2 Diplomatic Club . In addition to a pool and restaurant, the upstairs of the diplomatic club has an extensive karaoke area, and a billiards room with a small bar.  

This will be arranged by your tour company.

• 39.01345 125.7505 1 Heabangsan Hotel ( Sungri St, Central District ), ☏ +850 2 37037 . A five-storey building which is the cheapest option in Pyongyang. It has 83 rooms, but rarely available to foreigners. ( updated Oct 2015 )
• Morangbong Hotel ( Morangbong Hill ). 12 rooms and is Pyongyang's smallest hotel. It is the only hotel in Pyongyang with al fresco dining.  
• Pyongyang Hotel ( Sungri St, Central District, near Pyongyang Grand Theatre ), ☏ +850 2 38161 . Class 2 hotel with 170 rooms. Open since 1961.  
• Taedonggang Hotel ( Sungri St, Central District, beside the Taedonggang River ), ☏ +850 2 38346 . 2nd class hotel that has been around since 1956.  
• Potongang Hotel , ☏ +850 2 381 2229 . First-class hotel next to the Potong River about 4 km from the city centre. It has 216 rooms equipped with air conditioning, refrigerator, telephone, and satellite TV. Facilities include restaurants, bar, souvenir shop and a beauty salon.  
• Sosan Hotel ( Kwangbok St ), ☏ +850 2 71191 . First-class option, renovated. Features a pool, bars, Internet, and cable TV.  

Pyongyang is a very safe city for foreigners who follow the rules. See the main article for safety information about North Korea.

In addition to the standard emergency numbers ( 119 from fixed-line phones, 112 from mobile phones), for medical emergencies in Pyongyang, you can also dial ☏ +850 2 382-7688 .

The country code for North Korea is +850 , and the area code for Pyongyang is 2 (and possibly also 195), dialed and written domestically as 02 . Phone numbers in Pyongyang beginning with 381 (e.g. +850 2-381-xxxx) can be called internationally, and can only make international calls and calls to other 381 numbers. Businesses with such a phone number will usually have a 381 number for international calls and a 382 for domestic calls.

Foreigners staying in Pyongyang can sign up with Koryolink mobile phone service. The setup fee for a SIM card and voice service will be either $80 or €80. Signing up for 3G data costs an additional €180. Fees for the mobile service are $8/month for voice and $14/month for data. The included data plan provides 50M of data. The phone network available to foreigners does not interconnect with the network used by citizens.

Hotels aimed at foreigners may be able to provide Internet access, although it should be requested in advance. If you do not have Internet access and need connection the easiest option is likely to schedule a visit to your embassy.

Health care

• Red Cross General Hospital of Korea ( East-Pyongyang ), ☏ +850 2 28291 .  
• Pyongyang First Aid Hospital , ☏ +850 2 22758 .  
• Pyongyang Foreigners’ Hospital , ☏ +850 2 22160 .  
• Kim Man Yu Hospital ( East-Pyongyang ), ☏ +850 2 28136 .  
• Pyongyang Maternity Hospital ( East-Pyongyang ). Showcase, opened in 1980 with 1,500 beds.  

Most foreign embassies in Pyongyang, except for the Chinese and Russian embassies, are in the Munsu-dong area. Citizens of European Union (EU) countries not represented in Pyongyang can seek consular assistance from other EU embassies instead, such as the German or Polish embassies. Citizens of the United States , Canada , Nordic Countries and Australia can get limited consular assistance from the Swedish embassy, although usually only in emergencies. These citizens are also recommended to contact their country's embassy in Seoul or Beijing .

* The Swedish Embassy offers limited consular help to citizens of Australia, Canada, the United States and the Nordic countries . They also handle Schengen visa applications for Italy, Spain and the Nordic countries .

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What to eat.

YU LIU GUAN

The Diplomatic Restaurant - "The New Diplo"

Grand Theatre Restaurant

Pyolmuri - "ADRA Cafe"

The Pyongyang Shop Restaurant - "The Diplo"

The Friendship

Turtle Ship

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