What to see in North Korea: 9 must-sees
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Tourism closed and tightly controlled by the regime
Discover what to see in North Korea: 9 must-see destinations, from Pyongyang to Arch of Reunification. Predominantly monument and city; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
Monument(4)
Behold the monument to reunification, where two female figures hold the map of a unified Korea above a river of granite. Monument, reunification and the view of the city. Take in the monument that recounts centuries of history and culture. Walk its structures, admire the architectural details and uncover the story hidden in its stones.
Pause before the Mansudae Grand Monument, in Pyongyang, where two 50-meter bronze figures rise over the hill and command the view of the city. Follow the local protocol: visitors lay flowers and bow before the statues of the leaders. Walk the esplanade, study the reliefs narrating the country's history and use the viewing platform to take in the North Korean capital spread at your feet.
Walk beside the Pyongyang Train, the monument evoking the slowest railway in the world and its role in North Korean daily life. Walk its structures, note the architectural details carved into the stone and read in them centuries of the country's history and culture. See how the monument connects journey, landscape and the people who still use this train today, and understand why it forms part of the capital's identity in the middle of Pyongyang.
Visit the Grand People's Theatre of Pyongyang, the largest theatre in the world, with 6,000 seats spread among its stages and halls. Walk its monumental structures, note the details of its architecture and get to know the history this building keeps in its stones. Every corner reflects decades of North Korean art and culture, from its imposing facades to the interiors designed for large performances. A monument that shows how much importance Pyongyang grants to the performing arts.
City(1)
Behold Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea and one of the most isolated cities on the planet. Stroll the monumental avenues lined with Soviet-style buildings, the Arch of Triumph, the Juche Tower and Kim Il-sung Square. Travelers always visit it in the company of official guides, following government-approved itineraries. If you go, check the current restrictions before traveling and observe the local rules on photography and movement for your entire stay.
Natural(1)
Follow the hiking route up to the Paektu crater, a 2,744-meter volcano in Ryanggang Province and a peak regarded as sacred in Korea. At the top appears Lake Chon, formed after the great eruption of 946, ringed by rocky walls and conifer forests. Follow the marked trails, watch the area's birds and deer, and come down to base camp to catch dawn over the caldera.
Museum(1)
Tour the museum devoted to the North Korean revolution, where artefacts, photographs and history narrate the fight for independence. Museum, history and the view of the city. Walk through the museum where artefacts, exhibits and history create a journey back in time. Discover unique collections, learn about local culture and broaden your knowledge.
Beach(1)
Discover Nampo Beach, on the shores of the Sea of Japan, where fine sand stretches beside calm waters good for swimming. Walk the shoreline, snorkel when the sea lies calm, and take a moment to watch local fishermen at work close to the coast. It is a quiet spot, ideal if you are after silence and the open horizon.
National Park(1)
Follow the trails of Kumgang National Park — the Diamond Mountain — in Kangwon Province, climbing among pine woods, streams and granite formations that change their names with the season. Hiking here passes waterfalls such as Kuryong and Buddhist monasteries set into the slopes, with birdwatching accompanying every stretch of the route. Access is granted only through itineraries organized by the government, and the viewpoints over the Kumgangsan valleys reward the climb with sharp peaks and morning mists. Wear sturdy footwear for the stone stairways.
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