North Korea Travel Forum

Hi all,

I'm looking to exchange stories with other people who have visited North Korea on an organised tour on the off-chance that they went with any of the same guides as me. The reason being, in the time I spent in the country I developed a degree of friendship with a couple of the guides, shared much information with them, but now that I have left I have obviously no way of contacting them again, so would like to try and fill in the gaps of my understanding of them as people with other people's own first hand accounts.

So, if Honey, Wonik or a Mr. Li took you around, please get in touch.. I miss Honey and Wonik they were great guys and it's sad I'll never be able to find out the true deal with them..

Thanks!!

Hello, Everyone,

This is Courtney, VT PR manager and I'm hoping someone can help me with a project we're working on. I'm trying to find out exactly where the chocolate museum is and if the name of the museum is just "Chocolate Museum."

Here's the link to the site: http://www.chocolatemuseum.org/

Many thanks in advance for your help!
C

Hello,

I'm planning my third visit to North Korea for late August / early September this year. Like last year, I am looking for people to join me, as it's not only cheaper but also a lot more fun together. I'm planning for a tour of about one week with stops in Pyongyang, Nampho, Sariwon, Haeju and maybe Wonsan. I'd like to go to as many of the lesser visited / new spots as possible, as I have already seen most of the sights from the "usual" itineraries. So, if anyone would be interested in joining me, please drop me a line: stephan@oscill8.com

Cheers,

Stephan

1. In what year did North Korea allowed tourists to visit their country?
2. Is North Korea Jus Soli or Jus Sanguini?
3. If your parents have different nationality and you were born in North Korea will NK still allow you to get out of their country?
4. Can you study in North Korea in Collage even though you've got different nationality?

Hi VT memvers

It have been rumored among the South Korea that Dramas and Songs are spread among the teenagers despite of Government's censorship.

Is there any VTers who have met the North Koreans who like those dramas?

Bryan Kang

Hi all!

I dont really know much about what a trip to North Korea would set you back... I was hoping that someone could give a nice general idea as to what I should expect to pay, from food, lodging,train/plane tickets to everything.
What would one estimate to be the total cost for a week in North Korea?

Many thanks and safe travels to all:)

Hi Everybody,

I am travelling to North Korea this February (14-20) and I was just wondering if I am going to meet any VT, in the group?

PS: I'll be in Beijing the 12th and 13th... anyone up for Beijing Duck and/or sightseeing? :)

Cheers,
Rafi

HI all,

DOes anyone know that you can even get access to internet or telephone back to states or somewhere else?

Thanks !!

I collect beer bottles from around the world -- is there any way to get an empty bottle of North Korean beer here in the U.S.?

1)Is it easier to get a NK visa if you're holding a Philippine Passport or a
BNO passport?

2)I'm planning to take a NK tour package from Beijing (since I don't think
there's any package that I can take here from Manila). What's the latest
updated price of a package tour to NK? In US dollars, if possible.

3)To those who've been there, is it worth it? There are probably no shopping
malls there, so it's okay with me. I just want to feel the NK "feeling". But
I read from the posts of others that there's nothing really in there, so I'm
having second thoughts..

Thanks guys!

To all travelers interested in seeing North Korea while we still can!

This year my boyfriend and I are planning to visit North Korea from China. We want to go on a 5-day tour by train from Dandong. The plan is to leave Dandong on August 25. We have found a Chinese tour operator named Brooklyn who will do this tour for EUR 850,- pp, if we can get 6 persons in a group. I found Brooklyn through the lonely planet forum, where he has got good reviews. This is his website:

http://www.tmbrooklyn.com.cn/Quotation.htm

In the email contact we've had, Brooklyn mentioned that he has another couple who want to visit North Korea during that period, who might be interested in joining a larger group. So that would mean that with only two extra persons we can get a very good price!

Anyone who is interested in joining, please contact me in this forum or via virtual tourist mail. I hope to hear from you!

Leonieke

hi
is there any one living in andore here at vt??

Hi dear VTs,

maybe someone could help me with that:

1. Do they accept Euros in coins, or only notes?

2. I was told to dress "proper" while visiting some sites. Are Jeans or Cargopants proper enough?

3. Anybody been there in the beginning of May? I've heard that some of the buildings are very cold. Do I need warm clothes throughout daytime?

Would be very great if someone could help me with the one ore other question, thanks a lot in advance.

Lisa

Hello,

I am thinking about doing a tour to North Korea sometime later this year (~ June/July) and would be looking for people interested in joining me.

I have been to North Korea last year and got the impression, that once you're in North Korea, all the tours seem to be operated by the KITC, which is the state-owned travel company. I contacted them and am told, that one can book individual tours with them directly. Prices depend on the number of participants. 2-5 pax is 135 EUR per person/night. They can also arrange the Visa and flights from Beijing (340 EUR return) and Vladivostok as well as train tickets from Beijing (240 EUR return).

This being my second tour, I would like to see a few places, that I haven't visited last year. At least Nampho and Wonsan. Other than that, I'm flexible regarding the tour dates and the itinerary. I have a few sample-itineraries from the KITC, that show, which places can be visited.

So, if anyone is interested, please drop me a line :)

cheers,

-Stephan (stephan@oscill8.com)

I just read up on the KFA 2008 trip to NK, and I must admit that it's pretty expensive. Over 2000 euros for a week in NK?

Is there a way to get into NK alone? I am in Sydney at the moment. My plan would be to fly into Beijing and then fly to NK. Doable?

Old Cliffie has almost signed up for a visit to North Korea. Anyone want to talk him out of it?

Hi all,
I'm just getting ready to leave for south korea for a year and while there i would really like to visit the DPRK, I am an Irish citizen but i'm traveling with an israeli dude (no possible way he can go?????) thats not really my query anyway... i've antisipated i'd have to go alone..(alone, as in i dont know anyone but with an organised tour group)
What I want to know is, what's the cheapest way to do this for say 5 days?????
thanks
Fiona

wat is the most common rules in north korea?
wat is the best and the least things to do?
how will i socialized wth the koreans?
how can i gain some korean friends?

I'm not looking to exchange a lot of money, but just a little to get some things along the way.

I know USD are derated. I know Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen, Euro and Korean Won are accepted at most places.

But if I were to pick one, which would be the best choice. I have all of them, just want to know which to pack.

Hello,
I'm considering a trip to NK if I can somehow gather the $1,500 + plane ticket money. Just a question first, mostly to those Americans who have travelled there. What happens on the other end, when you return to your American customs, and they see your North Korean visa in your passport?
Thx
Joseph

I'm an American. I want to Move to North Korea.

Do you think they'd let me? Or would they be suspicious?

Is it at all possible to drive your own vehicle from either China or South Korea as a tourist visit (with your own vehicle) drive abouth the country and leave after? I know the government is tight and it would probably be a nightmare, has anyone ever tried or done this does anyone know how to go about getting the visas/vehicle permits etc..?

I would like to go to North korea with the Korean Friendship Association in April .Does anyone have experience with KFA Trip ? Is it good ?

http://www.korea-dpr.com/kfa2007/

I am a citizen of China (PRC) who has lived in the USA for the past 12 years or so. I have a USA visa in the visa section of my passport, and I obtained my USA Green Card (permanent residency) in 2002. Does this hinder my chances of getting into NK?

The best deal I know cirrently is 100 EUR train round-trip from/to Bratislava (Slovakia) to any station in Russia, including Vladivostok, Chinese/Russian border town of Zabaikal'sk/Manzhouli, Mongolian/Russian border town of Naushki/Suhebator or Russian/N. Korean border town pair of Hasan/Tumangan.

The 100 Euro ticket is a round-trip for the first person; any further travleelers in the group will receive 50% reduchtion and children 75% reduction form the already low 100 Euro ticket.

Thus, for four adult people the costs for a Bratislava - Vladivostok or a Naushki - Bratislava roundtrip will be 100 + 50 + 50 + 50 = 250 Euro. This price includes all services and surcharges on "Firmennyj" trains, even the food in the inclusive service - but not the bed surcharge which can vary from 10 to 50 Euro pro person.

Such tickets outside of Russia for travellers going TO Russia are known as "CITY-STAR". Inside of Russia for the people traveling into Slovakia, Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium, Serbia these tickets are known as "Bilet po fiksirovannomu tarifu Ekonomnaia Cena", but on the ticket itself the Russian Railways usually print "CITY-STAR".

Questions:

1) Does anyone know a better deal?
2) Does anyone know about a similar deal between Russia and Serbia? The site of Russian railways does mention, such deal does exist, but there is no price information.
3) If somebody did travel on "Ekonomnaia Cena" ticket from Russia or on "CITY-STAR" ticket into Russia - please contact me. I collect the pictures/scans of such tickets!

Thanks!

Has anyone successfully sent a postcard from North Korea?

Is it true that wa can't bring mobile phone & video camera into North Korea?

What is the cheapest way to go? Is the only option the tours from beijing or SK? How much should I expect to spend minimum to go?

I didn't see any mention of museums in the tips section. Are there art museums and such that one could go see?

What sort of food should one expect at the hotels? Genuine NK fare, or is it different sorta stuff made for visitors to the country?

Thanks!

-D

Hi,

I may want to go to North Korea from Beijing when I'm travelling Asia this spring. I am far from sure yet, but would like to ask some questions about it nonetheless.

- Is it possible to enter the country without a group?
- Should I go to NK, I plan on going only 3 days (from wednesday to saturday, P'yongyang only). How much would this cost approximately? I assume everybody more or less spends the same amount of money... Would travelling 'alone' mean I have a personal guide (which I have to pay for myself)?
- Should i go, I would decide this only about a few days in advance, when I'm in Beijing. Is this enough time to get a visa for NK? How long does it usually take?
- I will have been to South Korea before visiting NK, so I will have a South Korean Visa in my passport as well. Could this be a problem?

I hope anyone can enlighten me.
Thanks!

Bhim

Hi, does anyone know if there are surf beaches and if you can access them?
Thanks