North Korea—a country shrouded in mystery and secrecy, often making headlines but rarely understood. Its tightly controlled media and isolation from the rest of the world have turned it into one of the most enigmatic nations on the planet. For those curious about what truly lies behind its borders, visiting this secretive country offers a unique, albeit highly regulated, opportunity to uncover a glimpse of its world. But such a journey also raises fascinating questions: Is it possible to understand a country when every step of your visit is curated? And what does traveling to North Korea truly reveal?
How to Visit North Korea: A Travel Guide
Tourism in North Korea is tightly controlled by the North Korean government. All tourism is organized by several state-owned tourism bureaus. You cannot visit the country on your own; you need to purchase a tour package from government-owned tour companies to visit North Korea.
To obtain a tourist visa for North Korea, it is necessary to book a complete package that includes hotel accommodation, transfers, guides, meals, etc.
Travel Agencies
Tourists must book tour packages through state-approved travel agencies, which organize itineraries, guides, and visas. Popular agencies include:
- Koryo Tours
- Young Pioneer Tours
- Uri Tours
- KTG Tours
Travel Routes
North Korea has transport connections only with China and Russia. So if you want to visit North Korea, you either have to visit Russia or China first and then head to North Korea.
- Via Beijing, China (Most Common Route)
Beijing serves as the primary gateway for tourists traveling to North Korea. Both flights and trains are available from Beijing to Pyongyang (the capital of North Korea). - Via Dandong, China (Train Route)
Dandong, a city on the China-North Korea border, is another major access point. Trains are available from Dandong to Pyongyang. Train travel allows scenic views of North Korea’s countryside and is cheaper than flying. - Via Vladivostok, Russia (Limited Option)
Another way to get to the DPRK is via Russia: either by Vladivostok-Pyongyang flight or by train via the Khasan/Tumangang border.
Tourist Rules and Restrictions
- Travelers must register with North Korean government authorities within 24 hours of their arrival. This is done through their host organization or hotel.
- Tourists are not allowed to leave the hotel without their guide.
- Tourists are not permitted to approach or converse with ordinary citizens without the presence of a government-approved guide.
- Foreigners are forbidden from using the North Korean won; they must use foreign currency. The Euro is the most widely accepted foreign currency; US dollars and Chinese yuan are also widely accepted.
- Visitors are not allowed to shop anywhere other than at stores designated for foreigners.
- Taking photos of anything other than designated public tourist sites is considered spying (and punished as such). Visitors must always ask their designated guide for permission before taking photos, especially photos of people—including the guides. Particularly sensitive topics are: anything involving North Korean military zones, military property, soldiers, and construction sites.
- Photos of statues must include the whole statue; close-ups of the head of a statue are forbidden.
- Digital cameras or video cameras must not have GPS.
- You can only visit areas on the official itinerary. Tours are highly structured and organized, and tourists must stick to the approved schedule. Independent travel or exploring North Korea on your own is strictly forbidden. All tourists must stay within the confines of their pre-arranged tours.
- Visitors are not allowed to talk about politics, especially topics like North Korea’s leadership or the country’s relationship with other nations. Criticizing the government, its policies, or its leadership is a serious offense.
- North Korea has a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, and any form of illegal narcotics is considered a serious crime.
- Any form of pornography or explicit material is illegal in North Korea.
- Religious books are generally not allowed.
The Show Starts
Once tourists arrive in Pyongyang, a government-approved guide meets them at the airport or train station. This guide will accompany them throughout their stay in North Korea, overseeing their movements and ensuring they follow the rules. Tourists are then taken to their hotels. Tourists are not allowed to leave the hotel without their guides.
Tour packages typically cover all meals during the trip. These meals are arranged at designated restaurants, hotels, or specific tourist-friendly locations approved by the government. Tourists do not have the freedom to choose restaurants or explore local street food. You are only allowed to visit locations pre-approved and carefully selected by the North Korean government. Tourists cannot create their own itineraries or request to visit unauthorized areas. Deviating from the planned schedule is strictly prohibited. The government ensures that tourists only see areas designed to project a positive image of North Korea. Areas showing poverty, dissent, or anything that might contradict the state’s propaganda are completely off-limits.
Popular Tourist Destinations
Most tours focus on Pyongyang and surrounding areas, including:
- Kim Il Sung Square and Juche Tower
- Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the embalmed bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are displayed
- The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at Panmunjom
- Mansudae Grand Monument, featuring large statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il
Longer tours may include visits to locations like Mount Kumgang or Kaesong, a historic city near the DMZ. The specific sites you visit in North Korea generally depend on the tour package you choose and the number of days you plan to stay.
ATMs are not available for tourists in North Korea, so it’s essential to carry enough cash for your trip. Purchases are generally limited to state-approved souvenir shops, hotel gift stores, and certain tourist attractions. These shops are designed specifically for foreigners.
There is no public internet access for tourists in North Korea. You will not be able to use email, social media, or messaging apps like WhatsApp or Instagram. International phone calls can be made from certain hotels in Pyongyang, but these are often expensive, and the calls may be monitored.
This is broadly the structure of your tour. North Korea is an unpredictable country, and while most tourists who follow the rules and restrictions return safely, there are risks involved. It’s crucial to adhere to all guidelines to minimize potential issues.
The Risk of Traveling to North Korea: A Tragic Example
While many tourists return from North Korea without incident, there are risks associated with visiting the country. One of the most tragic examples is the story of Otto Warmbier.
The Case of Otto Warmbier
In 2016, 21-year-old Otto Warmbier, a University of Virginia student, visited North Korea as part of a guided tour with a company called Young Pioneer Tours. During his stay at a hotel in Pyongyang, he allegedly removed a political propaganda poster from a wall in the hotel lobby. The North Korean authorities accused him of attempting to steal the poster, which they claimed was a “hostile act” against the state. In March 2016, Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in a brief trial that lasted less than an hour.
For more than a year, the North Korean government kept Warmbier’s condition a secret, and the world was left unaware of the true extent of his mistreatment. In June 2017, after immense diplomatic pressure from the U.S., North Korea released him and allowed him to return to the U.S. However, by the time he arrived back in the U.S., Warmbier was in a coma, having suffered severe neurological damage. He died just days after returning home.
His tragic death sparked widespread outrage and further intensified tensions between the U.S. and North Korea. His family stated that they believed he had been tortured during his imprisonment, and his case served as a stark reminder of the human rights abuses many face in the country.
Why This Matters for Travelers
Warmbier’s case is a stark reminder of the extreme risks tourists face when traveling to North Korea. Even minor infractions can lead to severe consequences, with no guarantee of fair treatment or legal recourse. This incident raises critical questions about the ethics of tourism in a country where freedom of expression, individual rights, and personal safety are not guaranteed.
North Korea’s Carefully Constructed Image: A Propaganda Machine
When you visit North Korea, what you see is not the full story. The country is often portrayed to the outside world as a utopia of happiness and independence, a place where the people live in harmony under the benevolent leadership of the Kim dynasty. But this carefully crafted image is just that—a constructed narrative.
The North Korean government uses propaganda to maintain control, presenting a picture of prosperity, unity, and strength, while hiding the harsh realities of life for many of its citizens. As a visitor, you may be shown only the most polished parts of the country—the grand monuments, the adoring crowds, and the magnificent celebrations—all designed to reinforce the image of a self-sufficient and thriving nation.
In fact, North Korea wants tourists to see exactly what the government wants them to see: a carefully chosen selection of places that portray the idealized version of the country. When you travel to North Korea, you won’t see signs of poverty or struggle—that’s because the government conceals these realities. The rural population often faces severe food shortages, and electricity is scarce due to outdated infrastructure. These areas, far from the prying eyes of tourists, experience dire conditions that are hidden behind the façade of Pyongyang.
Many experts believe Pyongyang is essentially a showcase city, meticulously designed to project an image of modernity and prosperity to visitors.. The streets are clean, the parks are well-maintained, and the infrastructure is immaculate—everything is intended to highlight a picture of progress. But this image is starkly different from the rest of the country, where many areas lack basic infrastructure, reliable electricity, and functioning healthcare. The government uses Pyongyang as a controlled bubble, reserved for high-ranking officials and loyalists, who enjoy better access to food, electricity, and resources. Meanwhile, most of the population in rural areas faces severe hardship.
Foreign visitors are rarely allowed beyond Pyongyang without strict government oversight, ensuring that they don’t witness the true conditions of the country. What tourists see is a curated version of North Korea, designed to reinforce the regime’s narrative of strength and prosperity, while hiding the suffering and inequality that exists in many other parts of the country.
Conclusion: A Glimpse Behind the Curtain
While North Korea may seem like an enigma to the outside world, what tourists are shown is only a carefully controlled version of the truth. The government’s portrayal of a unified, prosperous country may appear convincing at first glance, but the reality is far more complex. The shining streets of Pyongyang, the grand monuments, and the cheerful celebrations are all part of an intricate narrative designed to showcase an image of happiness, independence, and strength.
Yet, beyond this curated facade, a different story unfolds—one of poverty, food shortages, and limited access to basic resources for many of North Korea’s citizens. The government’s strict control over what tourists can see and experience ensures that the world continues to see North Korea as a place that is far more perfect than it actually is.
For those who choose to visit, it’s important to remember that what you are shown is just one side of the story. The real North Korea remains largely hidden from view, shaped by a regime that strives to control its own image, both at home and abroad. The truth lies somewhere between the carefully crafted propaganda and the reality that most tourists will never get the chance to witness.
In many ways, the experience of visiting North Korea serves as a stark reminder of how much we often take for granted—the freedoms we enjoy, the democracy, and the rights we sometimes overlook. We are accustomed to questioning authority, expressing our opinions, and accessing information freely. But in North Korea, these very rights are limited or completely controlled by the state. As we marvel at the polished, propaganda-filled streets of Pyongyang, it’s a chance for us to reflect on the freedoms we often take for granted—and recognize just how important they truly are.