Why North Korea should be on your travel list

Nine out of ten websites will warn you against travel to Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK or more popularly North Korea). While some of the concerns may be genuine, some may not. North Korea may not feature high on travel lists, but for those who nurse a secret desire to visit this hermit kingdom but are put off by the media warning, here is something to cheer about.

Here are few reasons why DPRK should be on your travel list.

Table of Contents

Beautiful Villages & Museums

Once you leave capital city, you’ll come across picturesque villages all over the country, but more than any other village, Kaesong is the most beautiful.

Kaesong village — The beautiful village of Kaesong – the last town before the DMZ (De-millitarized Zone)

Koryo Museum — The Koryo museum formerly Songgyungwan Confucian academy

The museum has a treasure trove of priceless relics from the Koryo Dynasty, although many of the relics are actually copies with the originals safely stored away in the Korean Central History Museum in Pyongyang.

Awe inspiring statues and monuments

The country is full of statues, from the towering monuments at Mansudae Hill to the Arch of Reunification, each one of them is spectacular. Pictured below is the Arch of Unification on the highway leading to the DMZ and once-gold plated statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

reunification highway pyongyang — Arch of Unification

The DPRK is big contrast. Isolated by their Juche Ideology and nationalistic sentiments, DPRK can be very strict with its rules, pertaining to its leaders in particular. When visiting the statues of both leaders, Kim Il-Sung, the eternal leader as well as his son, Kim Jong-Il, every visitor is required to bow in front of the statues as a mark of respect. Statues and propaganda can be seen all over the country same as the badges with both leaders every Korean is required to wear.

arch of triumph — The Arch of Triumph modelled after Arc de Triumph in Paris, it is also the largest arch in the world.

Museums are extremely modern

The Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum is a lesson in history – albeit a slightly different version to what you have grown up learning. Also, DPRK is the only country NOT to have returned a captured American warship. The general idea presented here is the reflection of the North Korean view of their success in fighting the Americans and South Korea, and much of the museum presents the triumphant victories of North Korea and its military over its enemies.

Heavily Guarded state border

DPRK has the world’s most heavily guarded border (with South Korea) at DMZ (demillitarized zone) in Panmunjom. Security is heavy and you are not allowed to cross these famous Blue Huts. Laughing or joking is not advised and you’ll see North Korean soldiers with big guns and looking stonily across the border. You can take pictures here, but with permission.

Food is awesome

No, North Korean food is not all kimchi (fermented cabbage) nor is it synonymous with South Korean food. Kimchi, is of course a staple and definitely a must try on your visit here, but there are few other dishes you might lke to try here – Naengmyeon – an extremely popular dish which is really a cold soup with noodles served in broth made of beef. Bosintang also called Sweet Meat soup is (be ready for it) dog meat! Before you gasp in despair, remember that dog meat has been on the menu for thousands of years in Korea.

ponghak beer — The beer in North Korea is cheap and good

…the girls serving beer are pretty and friendly. It’s OK to take their pictures as well!

Deep Subway Rides

North Korea has the deepest subway system in the world – that in itself is a reason to go on one! Fortunately escalators are functional and efficiently run, but it easily takes over two minutes to reach 110m into the earth. Not only are you going deep down, but also far back – in time. The subway system opened to the public in 1973 and nothing much has changed since, with the same rolling stock but the stations might be a tiny reminder of stations in Russia.