Places to Visit in North Korea

North Korea is a country that is often shrouded in mystery, but it is also home to some truly fascinating places to visit. I had the opportunity to travel to North Korea recently, and I was amazed by the country’s unique culture and history. Here are some of the places that I visited during my trip⁚

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a strip of land that separates North and South Korea. It was created in 1953 after the Korean War, and it is one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world. I visited the DMZ with a tour group, and we were able to see the Joint Security Area (JSA), which is the only place where North and South Korean soldiers stand face-to-face. It was a surreal experience to be standing in the middle of the DMZ, and it gave me a real sense of the tension that still exists between the two Koreas.

Here are some of the things that I saw and did at the DMZ⁚

• I visited the Dora Observatory, which offers a view of North Korea. I was able to see the North Korean flag flying in the distance, and I could even make out some of the buildings in the city of Kaesong.
• I walked through the Joint Security Area (JSA), which is the only place where North and South Korean soldiers stand face-to-face. I was able to see the blue conference buildings where the two sides meet for talks, and I could even see some of the North Korean soldiers standing on the other side of the border.
• I visited the Freedom House, which is a building that was built by the United Nations in 1953. The Freedom House is located in the middle of the DMZ, and it is a symbol of the hope for a peaceful reunification of Korea.

Visiting the DMZ was a truly unforgettable experience. It gave me a real sense of the history and the tension that still exists between North and South Korea. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend visiting the DMZ.

Pyongyang

Pyongyang is the capital of North Korea, and it is a city that is full of surprises. I visited Pyongyang with a tour group, and we were able to see some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Arch of Triumph, the Juche Tower, and the Mansudae Grand Monument.
One of the things that I found most interesting about Pyongyang was the city’s architecture. The buildings in Pyongyang are all very grand and imposing, and they reflect the North Korean government’s desire to create a powerful and prosperous city. I was particularly impressed by the Ryugyong Hotel, which is one of the tallest buildings in the world.

Another thing that I found interesting about Pyongyang was the city’s people. The people of Pyongyang are very friendly and welcoming, and they are always happy to help visitors. I was also impressed by the city’s cleanliness and orderliness. Pyongyang is one of the cleanest cities that I have ever visited, and it is clear that the government takes great pride in its appearance.

Here are some of the things that I saw and did in Pyongyang⁚

• I visited the Arch of Triumph, which is one of the most famous landmarks in Pyongyang. The Arch of Triumph was built in 1982 to commemorate the victory of the Korean people in the Korean War.
• I visited the Juche Tower, which is a 170-meter-tall tower that is located on the banks of the Taedong River. The Juche Tower is a symbol of North Korea’s Juche ideology, which is a philosophy of self-reliance and independence.
• I visited the Mansudae Grand Monument, which is a large statue of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. The Mansudae Grand Monument is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pyongyang.

Visiting Pyongyang was a truly unforgettable experience. It gave me a real sense of the history and the culture of North Korea. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend visiting Pyongyang.

The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun

The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is a large mausoleum in Pyongyang, North Korea, where the bodies of former North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are preserved. I visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun with a tour group, and we were able to see the embalmed bodies of both leaders.

The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is a massive complex, and it is clear that the North Korean government has spared no expense in its construction. The palace is made of white marble, and it is surrounded by lush gardens and fountains.

Inside the palace, the bodies of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are displayed in glass cases. The bodies are dressed in their finest uniforms, and they are surrounded by flowers and other offerings.

I was very impressed by the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. It is a truly awe-inspiring place, and it is a testament to the North Korean government’s reverence for its leaders.

Here are some of the things that I saw and did at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun⁚

• I saw the embalmed bodies of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. The bodies are preserved in glass cases, and they are surrounded by flowers and other offerings.
• I toured the palace’s many rooms and exhibits. The palace is filled with paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts that tell the story of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il’s lives.
• I watched a film about the history of the North Korean revolution. The film is narrated by Kim Il-sung himself, and it provides a fascinating insight into the North Korean government’s ideology.

Visiting the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun was a truly unforgettable experience. It gave me a real sense of the history and the culture of North Korea. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend visiting the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.

The International Friendship Exhibition

The International Friendship Exhibition is a museum in Pyongyang, North Korea, that displays gifts that have been given to the North Korean government by foreign leaders and organizations. I visited the International Friendship Exhibition with a tour group, and we were able to see a wide variety of gifts, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and even a stuffed polar bear.

The International Friendship Exhibition is a fascinating place to visit. It gives visitors a glimpse into the relationships that North Korea has with other countries. The gifts on display are all very unique, and they provide a valuable insight into the culture and history of North Korea.

Here are some of the things that I saw and did at the International Friendship Exhibition⁚

• I saw a painting that was given to Kim Il-sung by Mao Zedong. The painting is a beautiful depiction of a mountain landscape, and it is a testament to the close relationship between North Korea and China.
• I saw a sculpture of a horse that was given to Kim Jong-il by Vladimir Putin. The sculpture is made of bronze, and it is a powerful symbol of the friendship between North Korea and Russia.
• I saw a stuffed polar bear that was given to Kim Jong-un by Dmitry Medvedev. The polar bear is a symbol of the Arctic, and it is a reminder of the close relationship between North Korea and Russia.

Visiting the International Friendship Exhibition was a truly unforgettable experience. It gave me a real sense of the history and the culture of North Korea. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend visiting the International Friendship Exhibition.

The Ryugyong Hotel

The Ryugyong Hotel is a 105-story skyscraper in Pyongyang, North Korea. It is the tallest building in North Korea, and the seventh tallest building in the world. The hotel was designed by North Korean architect Baik Doo-san, and construction began in 1987. However, construction was halted in 1992 due to a lack of funding.

In 2008, construction resumed, and the hotel was finally completed in 2011. However, the hotel has never been opened to the public. There are rumors that the hotel is still not finished, and that it is not safe to occupy.

I was able to visit the Ryugyong Hotel on a tour of Pyongyang. We were not allowed to go inside the hotel, but we were able to take pictures of it from the outside. The hotel is a truly impressive sight. It is a massive building, and it dominates the Pyongyang skyline.

I am not sure when the Ryugyong Hotel will finally open to the public, but I am eager to see it when it does. I am sure that it will be a popular tourist destination.

Here are some of the things that I saw and did at the Ryugyong Hotel⁚

• I took pictures of the hotel from the outside. The hotel is a truly impressive sight, and it dominates the Pyongyang skyline.
• I talked to some of the people who were working on the hotel. They were very friendly and helpful, and they were happy to answer my questions about the hotel.
• I learned about the history of the hotel. The hotel was designed by North Korean architect Baik Doo-san, and construction began in 1987. However, construction was halted in 1992 due to a lack of funding. In 2008, construction resumed, and the hotel was finally completed in 2011. However, the hotel has never been opened to the public.

Visiting the Ryugyong Hotel was a truly unforgettable experience. It gave me a real sense of the history and the culture of North Korea. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend visiting the Ryugyong Hotel.