Explore Pyongyang | Super Travel Guide
|Super cool travel guide. Dear fans 👋, today we must prepare a super practical Pyongyang travel guide for you! Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, has a profound history and unique culture. It is a great place for us to explore exotic customs💖. Are you ready to uncover the mysteries of Pyongyang with me? Let’s go now!
1. What do you need to prepare before departure?
How to apply for a visa✈️: If you want to travel to North Korea, you must apply for a visa in advance. If you think you have trouble with the process yourself, find a reliable travel agency to help you. Give them your original passport and 2-inch photo. It will usually be processed within 3 to 5 working days. However, due to the large number of people during the peak tourist season, there may be delays. If you want to handle it yourself, go to the official website of the North Korean embassy or consulate in China, download the application form, prepare the materials, and make an appointment to submit it. If you are waiting for approval, it usually takes 5 to 7 working days, so be sure to arrange it in advance and don't be caught off guard.
Things to know about transportation 🚇: Once you arrive in Pyongyang, there are many ways to get around. The subway was opened in 1968. It is very deep and the stations are beautifully decorated. For example, the murals in Fuxing Station depict scenes of the Korean people working. You can reach the city center quickly by subway and the ticket price is not expensive. The bus routes are extensive and there are posters on the bodies of the buses, so you can get a good look at the city while taking the bus. Taxis are also very convenient. They will stop as soon as you wave your hand. The starting price is reasonable. However, there may be traffic jams during peak hours. If you know the situation in advance, it will be much easier when you go out.
How to exchange currency💰: North Korea uses the North Korean won. You can exchange money at the airport, bank or designated exchange points. Banks are generally open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and you will need to bring your passport when changing money. The exchange rate is not fixed and will fluctuate. It is best to pay attention to it before departure and change the money, which will be very convenient whether it is shopping or eating.
2. Must-visit check-in places 🌟
Juche Tower🗼: This tower was built in 1982 and is 170 meters high. It consists of a tower body, a torch and a base. It is made of white marble, and the word "Juche" is written on the front. At night, the light show is very beautiful, and the light of the torch is particularly dazzling. Taking pictures at this time is the best 📷.
Strolling around the streets of Pyongyang 🚶♀️: The streets of Pyongyang combine tradition and modernity very well. Most traditional buildings are made of wood, with flying eaves and brackets, just like the houses, with light-colored exterior walls and beautifully made doors and windows. Modern buildings, like commercial centers, have glass curtain walls and metal frames, which are very modern. Walking on the street, you can see traditional Korean teahouses where people are leisurely drinking tea, and modern coffee shops where fashionable young people come in and out. You can feel the unique charm of this city.
Chollima Mountain Telescope Park🌄: The telescope in the park is very good and can rotate 360 degrees. Through it, you can see the buildings in Pyongyang city, the Taedong River passing through the city, and the boats on the river clearly. The vegetation on the distant mountains will also change color with the seasons, and the view is very shocking.
Kim Il Sung Square and Liberation Memorial Tower🎉: Kim Il Sung Square covers an area of 75,000 square meters. It was built in 1954 and most major events are held here. The Liberation Memorial Tower was built in 1945 to commemorate the liberation of North Korea. It is 30 meters high. The group sculptures on the top vividly show the scene of the Korean people celebrating their liberation. Standing here, you can have a deep understanding of the history and culture of North Korea📚.
Pyongyang Botanical Garden and Sunan Lake 🌳: The Pyongyang Botanical Garden is very large, covering an area of more than 100 hectares. It contains many rare plants and the scenery is different throughout the year. In spring, all kinds of flowers bloom, which is very beautiful; in summer, you can go there to escape the heat; in autumn, the leaves are colorful; in winter, it is covered with snow. Shunan Lake is also very large, with clear water, wild water birds, and weeping willows by the lake. It is very pleasant to take a walk there.
3. Fun special activities🎉
Watching sports games: In Pyongyang in winter, the indoor stadium is very lively. The skaters' movements on the ice were graceful and smooth, and the swimmers swam hard in the water. The atmosphere was very lively and one could feel the vitality of North Korean sports.
Try the food🍱: Spicy white fish soup is a classic Korean food. Choose fresh white fish, cut it into segments, fry it first, then add various seasonings and slowly stew it. The stewed fish soup is delicious, a little spicy, and has a very mellow taste. You will fall in love with the taste of North Korea as soon as you taste it.
Feel the culture🎭: There are many exquisite embroidery, paper cutting and wood carvings in the Folk Art Exhibition Hall. The embroidery stitches are very fine and the patterns are beautiful; the lines of the paper cutting are very smooth. During the dance performance, dancers wore traditional costumes and performed fan dance and long drum dance, showing the charm of Korean culture to the fullest.
4. Pay attention to these when traveling📋
Respect local customs: When entering religious places, pay attention to your clothing. Ladies should not wear short skirts or shorts, and men should not wear vests or slippers. Speak to elders in a respectful tone and never touch public or military facilities.
Cooperate with the tour guide: The tour guides are professionally trained and are familiar with the stories of the attractions and local customs. If you actively cooperate with the tour guide, your trip will go smoothly and you will be able to better appreciate the charm of Pyongyang.
Keep your belongings safe: In crowded places, such as scenic spot entrances and markets, put your camera, mobile phone, wallet and other items in the zippered pockets in front of you. Don't put large amounts of cash together to be careful of thieves.
Comply with environmental regulations: The streets in Pyongyang are very clean. Do not litter in scenic areas, do not pick flowers and plants, and do not throw things into the lake. Keep Pyongyang beautiful.
5. Recommended places for eating and accommodation🛏️
There are many delicious foods in Pyongyang😋. Korean cold noodles, the buckwheat noodles are very chewy, the soup is sour and sweet, and the side dishes are also rich. The stewed chicken is made with local free-range chickens, which are slow-cooked with potatoes. The resulting soup is very rich and fragrant. In terms of accommodation, high-end hotels like the Koryo Hotel are located in the city center, with complete facilities and good services. If you want something more affordable, there are homestays in residential areas where you can experience local life and you will always find one that suits you.
6. A good place for shopping🛍️
The shops in Pyongyang are like treasure troves. The embroidery in the embroidery shop is brightly colored and exquisitely designed. The embroidery with traditional festival themes, for example, the characters and costumes on it look like the real thing. The tigers and figures in the wood carving shop are carved to look lifelike. You can also buy North Korean green tea, which looks good and has a strong aroma when brewed, as well as soft and sticky rice cakes. You can buy them home and let your relatives and friends taste the taste of Pyongyang 🎁.
Dear fans, Pyongyang is full of charm. Take this guide with you and you will definitely have a pleasant and unforgettable journey🥰!