Find places in North Korea

Must-Haves

• Kim Il Sung Square (Central District)
  The vast parade square at the heart of the capital, facing the Juche Tower across the river.
• Juche Tower (Taedong District)
  Ride the lift to the top for the widest view over the river and the city.
• Arch of Triumph (Moranbong District)
  A huge granite arch marking Kim Il Sung's return in 1945.
• Pyongyang Metro (Puhung and Yonggwang stations)
  Deep stations with chandeliers and mosaics, and a ride among local commuters.

Fun for Everyone

• Mangyongdae Children's Palace (Mangyongdae District)
  Watch children rehearse music, dance and sport, ending in a lively concert.

Must-Haves

• Mansudae Grand Monument (Mansudae)
  The giant bronze statues of the two late leaders, a stop on every tour.
• Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (Sosong District)
  The official story of the Korean War, with the captured USS Pueblo moored outside.
• Kumsusan Palace of the Sun (Taesong District)
  The mausoleum of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, visited on set days with strict dress rules.
• Mangyongdae Native House (Mangyongdae District)
  The thatched farmhouse presented as Kim Il Sung's birthplace, set in parkland.
• Grand People's Study House (Kim Il Sung Square)
  The national library in traditional style, with reading rooms and a balcony over the square.

Fun for Everyone

• Moranbong Park (Moranbong District)
  Hillside park where local families picnic, dance and sing at weekends.
• Central Zoo (Taesong District)
  The renovated national zoo with a natural history museum next door.

Great for Date Night

• Taedong River promenade (Central District)
  A riverside walk with views of the Juche Tower, best in the evening light.

Must-Haves

• Okryu Restaurant (Central District)
  The most famous place for Pyongyang cold noodles, on the riverbank.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Chongryu Restaurant (Central District)
  Another classic for cold noodles and hotpot near the river.

Must-Haves

• Taedonggang Beer Bar (Pyongyang)
  Taste the different numbered Taedonggang brews among locals.

Great for Date Night

• Yanggakdo hotel bar (Yanggak Island)
  The evening gathering place for tourists, with bowling and billiards nearby.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Koryo Hotel coffee shop (Central District)
  A spot for coffee and snacks in the lobby of the classic hotel.

Must-Haves

• Pyongyang Department Store No. 1 (Central District)
  The capital's main department store, open to tour groups.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Kwangbok Area Supermarket (Mangyongdae District)
  Shop for snacks and household goods among local customers.

Off the Beaten Path

• Korea Stamp Corporation shop (Central District)
  Collectible North Korean stamps and postcards.
• Foreign Languages Bookshop (Central District)
  Books, posters and propaganda art in translation.

Must-Haves

• Pyongyang Marathon (Kim Il Sung Stadium)
  The April race through the capital that has been open to foreign amateurs in some years.
• Day of the Sun (Pyongyang)
  Kim Il Sung's birthday on 15 April, with flowers, dancing and celebrations.

Fun for Everyone

• Liberation Day mass dances (Kim Il Sung Square)
  Students dance in the square on national holidays such as 15 August and 9 September.

Must-Haves

• Yanggakdo International Hotel (Yanggak Island)
  The usual tourist hotel, on an island in the river.

Great for Date Night

• Koryo Hotel (Central District)
  The twin tower hotel in the city centre, popular for its location.

Must-Haves

• Panmunjom Joint Security Area (DMZ)
  Stand by the blue huts on the line that divides Korea.

Must-Haves

• Armistice Signing Hall (Panmunjom)
  The hall where the 1953 armistice was signed, with the original tables.
• Koryo Museum (Sungkyunkwan)
  Koryo dynasty treasures in a tenth century Confucian academy.
• Tomb of King Kongmin (Haeson)
  A royal tomb on a hillside guarded by stone figures.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Sonjuk Bridge (Kaesong)
  A small stone bridge with a famous story of loyalty from 1392.

Off the Beaten Path

• Pyochung Monument (Kaesong)
  Stone memorial tablets on turtle bases beside Sonjuk Bridge.

Off the Beaten Path

• Janam Hill (Kaesong)
  A small hill with a statue and views over the old town roofs.

Must-Haves

• Pakyon Falls (Mount Songak)
  One of Korea's celebrated waterfalls, in wooded hills north of town.

Must-Haves

• Kaesong pansanggi lunch (Kaesong)
  The royal style meal of many small brass bowls.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Koryo insam shops (Kaesong)
  Kaesong ginseng in teas, liquors and creams.

Great for Date Night

• Kaesong Folk Hotel (Kaesong)
  Traditional tiled houses with heated floors by a stream.

Must-Haves

• Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area (Kalma Peninsula)
  The new beach resort of hotels, water park and long sands.
• Masikryong Ski Resort (Masikryong Pass)
  Ski runs, a pool and sauna high above the coast.

Fun for Everyone

• Songdowon Beach (Songdowon)
  An older pine fringed beach close to the city.

Off the Beaten Path

• Songdowon International Children's Camp (Songdowon)
  A summer camp for children from around the world.

Must-Haves

• International Friendship Exhibition (Myohyangsan)
  Hall after hall of gifts given to the country's leaders.
• Pohyon Temple (Myohyangsan)
  An eleventh century Buddhist temple in a quiet wooded valley.

Must-Haves

• Manpok Valley (Myohyangsan)
  A walk past pools and waterfalls on stone paths.

Off the Beaten Path

• Sangwon Valley (Myohyangsan)
  A quieter valley walk with a hermitage and waterfalls.

Fun for Everyone

• Ryongmun Big Cave (Kujang County)
  An illuminated limestone cave with huge chambers.

Must-Haves

• Hyangsan Hotel (Hyangsan)
  A pyramid shaped hotel with pool and sauna.

Must-Haves

• Rajin Market (Rajin)
  One of the few markets tourists have been able to walk through.

Off the Beaten Path

• Rajin Port viewpoint (Rajin)
  A hilltop view over the port used by Chinese and Russian firms.
• Tumen River border viewpoint (Tumangang)
  See where North Korea, China and Russia meet.
• Friendship Bridge (Tumangang)
  The rail bridge across the Tumen River to Russia.

Great for Date Night

• Emperor Hotel (Pipa)
  A large coastal hotel built for Chinese visitors.

Off the Beaten Path

• Sonbong (Sonbong)
  The smaller second town of the zone, with a quiet harbour.