Can You Travel North Korea?

Travelling to North Korea is something that has a certain appeal to the adventurers and those who look for something more exotic. North Korea is considered one of the most closed countries globally, and much is unknown about it. However, foreign visitors are allowed to come and live here with certain conditions and constant monitoring.

North Korea Travel Ban: Who Can Visit North Korea?

Currently, North Korea permits anyone from most nations to visit the country on guided tours. Visitors are usually Chinese, Russians, and other Asians. Tourists from the USA, South Korea, and Japan can also participate in the tours but with stricter conditions. It is worth to mention here that all tourists are required to obtain the tourist visa in advance through a licensed North Korean travel company. There is no freedom to travel independently.

All tourists must hire organized tour that has specific routes and a guide who will be with the visitors throughout the trip. So, you cannot travel independently in North Korea. The standard tours encompass visits to main destinations such as Pyongyang, the DMZ, and monuments/museums. Also, there are specific tours for trekking, cycling, marathon running, and visiting the birthplaces of leaders.

Laws and Regulations for Tourists to North Korea

Visiting North Korea comes with a set of rules and regulations as to what a person is allowed to do and what is prohibited on a tour. Some key rules include:

• Forbidden to take photos of construction sites, any other place without authorization, Koreans without their consent or anything negative about North Korea.
• It is prohibited to be left behind your guide or your tourist group. You will be accompanied by guards back shortly.
• Censor political opinions and the North Korean Leaders. Hateful comments or anything that may be deemed as an insult is not allowed.
• Be careful with dressing codes in some of the places that you visit. Do not wear jeans with rips, short pants, tight or revealing clothes etc.
• Avoid talking to the locals or distributing any material without permission.
• Foreigners are advised not to carry any religious articles, guide books or foreign newspapers/ media into North Korea. These include books, photographs and electronic gadgets may undergo search.

You have to strictly adhere to your guides’ directions to ensure your security and do not come across the wrong side of the law. Even if one is not a deliberate violator of the law, they can be detained and deported at their own expense.

Is it safe to travel to North Korea?

While there are some safety concerns that should be noted in North Korea, it is important to remember that tens of thousands visit safely each year. It is relatively safe due to limitations of visitors’ access and constant supervision, though one has to follow the rules strictly. It indicates that the safety levels can vary significantly even if a traveler stays outside the framework of organized tours. Many travelers have been arrested in the past violating laws such as attempting to talk to the citizens.

The U.S. Department of State now has a Travel Advisory of Do not travel to North Korea because of the risk of arrest and imprisonment for Americans. Another risk is that traveling in Korea can be dangerous during times of escalated tensions between North and South Korea. Before planning any travel, always consult the latest travel advisories.

What to Expect While Touring North Korea

Traveling to North Korea is something that cannot be described as similar to visiting any other country in the world. Some highlights travelers can expect include:Some highlights travelers can expect include:

• Excursions to Pyongyang where visitors are taken round gigantic statues, monuments, historical sites and museums and spectacular performances like the Arirang festival.
• Sightseeing in the country to see the unexplored areas and magnificent mountainous vistas away from the city.
• Visiting the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where the bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are embalmed.
• Travelling by the Pyongyang Metro, which is equipped with well-designed stations located at great depths.
• Wandering around stores and markets in Pyongyang and other cities; making purchases only using local money, which is the North Korean won. Local currency, foreign currency as well as travelers cheques are acceptable but not US dollars or Euros.
• Eating out real North Korean food such as cold noodle, BBQ, rice dishes, and Taedonggang beer which is produced in Pyongyang.

However, it is a privilege to have an opportunity to discover one of the most extraordinary cultures in the world. Daily is a new adventure when you explore the actual North Korea in person.

North Korea Travel – To Go, Not To Go

Traveling to North Korea is one of the extraordinary experiences which some people consider as fascinating since they want something extraordinary on their trip. Though, it is not without restrictions, risks, ethics concerns or potential safety issues to which people cannot expose themselves. Be very attentive to your personal instinct and needs and be sure to find out on the field. In the end, there cannot be a clear answer as to what is better, and it simply depends on the individual’s preference, travel habits, and willingness to take risks. Come with your eyes wide open and the mind a little bit loose.

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