Pyongyang

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Introduction

Statue of United Korea

© All Rights Reserved Utrecht

Being the capital of North Korea, Pyongyang is a very quiet city and used as a sort of showcase by North Korea regarding culture and education, with main attractions being several schools of art, music and other sorts of cultural activities.

The city is spread out along the shores of the Taedong river and at first sight you would not believe there are actually living 3 million people in Pyongyang. Cars, especially private ones, are almost non-existent and people move around on bikes and foot mostly. As a tourist, you are not allowed to move around freely and because of that it feels like being in some sort of box, or moving around in some place that is not real. But it is and it's a perfect example of Stalinistic building styles, combined with surprisingly green areas as well.

You will not easily forget the sight of the Juche Tower or watching the body of Kim Il Sung in his mausoleum. It is also home to the highest structure that has never been finished: a hotel of more than 300 meters high.

Although it's almost impossible to have real contact with the local people in Pyongyang, a visit to the capital of the last true communistic country, is highly recommended and memorable.

Suburbs

Sights

• Juche Tower
• Grand People's Study House
• Korean Workers' Party Monument
• Arch of Triumph
• Kim Il Sung Statue
• Kumsusan Memorial Palace (Mausoleum)
• Subwaysystem of Pyongyang
• May Day Stadium

Activities

• Mass Games, like the Arirang Festival
• Different activities in parks on the first of May (Labour Day)

Events and Festivals

The Mass Games in North Korea are famous throughout the whole world, a show which combines dances, gymnastics and acrobatics with songs. The Arirang festival is the showpiece among the Mass Games and if you are lucky enough to be in the country around one of those festivals, try to visit it.

Weather

North Korea in general has a land climate, meaning cold but usually dry winters and hot summers. In summer most of the rain falls and it's often rather humid. Temperatures can reach 35 °C for days on end and in winter temperatures can plummet way below zero. Therefore, autumn but especially spring (when it's usually dry), are the most pleasant times to visit Pyongyang.

Getting There

Basically, the only options to get to Pyongyang are by plane and train from Beijing in China. Air Koryo has several flights a week in old but well maintained Iljushins which take about an hour.

Taking the train between Beijing (China) and Pyongyang is an option, but not as an individual. You have to arrange it with a travel agency and be part of a tour group. Most tours have tourists fly one way, for example with Air Koryo, and then take the train the other way back. Trains leave Pyongyang for Beijing at Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays around 10am. From Beijing trains leave on the same days at around 5.30 pm. It takes 24 hours in both directions, including formalities at the border towns of Sinuiju (North Korea) and Dandong (China).

There is even one train a week between Moscow (Russia) (Yaroslavski station) and Pyongyang, usually leaving on friday (Moscow) or Saturday (Pyongyang) and it takes a week to complete the entire journey.

Getting Around

Getting around Pyongyang by yourself is not allowed. You are most likely to be part of an organised tour so you will travel around by car/bus. With a guide, it is possible though to walk around the city and take a ride in the metro system, which is an attraction of its own.

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Unfortunately, Pyongyang and North Korea in general are no budget destinations. On a fixed tour, you will stay in top end hotels. These hotels are generally good value and full board is almost always included. One of the best hotels is the Yanggakdo hotel on an island in the Taedong river. It is 47 floors high and on the top floor there is a revolving restaurant with great views over the river and city.

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet is almost non-existent in Pyongyang. It is possible to send an email in some top end hotels for a small fee.

Phone

Cell phones are not allowed in North Korea. If you have one you have to leave it behind during your stay, after which you will get it back when leaving the country.

Post

From most hotels, you can send postcards.