Best Tourist Places to Visit in North Korea, Asia
North Korea is officially known as Democratic People’ Republic of Korea (DPRK) located to the East of Asian Continent around 42o North Latitude and around 126o East Longitude. North Korea gained its independence in 1945 from Chinese, Russian and the Japanese control and is divided into North Korea and South Korea, the Republic of Korea. The 38th parallel running from East West in the Korean Peninsula, a demilitarized zone demarcates the boundaries between the two warring states to gain total control of the whole Korean Peninsula. North Korea was under the influence of Russia and South Korea was the base for the American during the cold war of mid 20th century between the two world super powers.
North Korea with its total area of around 120,500 Sq. Km is bounded by the vast territory of China to the North and to the North East a small territory of the Russian country. The Korean gulf to its West separates the Chinese territory and the Sea of Japan to its East separates the county of Japan. To the South is the Republic of Korea or the South Korea.
Pyongyang is the capital and the largest city of North Korea located to the South West. North Korea though politically a three party state, the workers Party of Korea holds the total upper-hand of ruling the country as a single party following the Juche of the Kim II-Sung, a total authority wrested on a single person who is the supreme ruler. North Korea is the Militarized country empowering the Military in ruling the country and stands fourth in the world for having the largest Military contingent and is a nuclear powered country.
History of North Korea:
North Korea has the history dating back to over 2300 BC being credited to the divine king Dangun Wanggeom, for having founded the first Korean Kingdom or Gojoseon. Since than Korea was under the control of feudal kings who were in constant war with Chinese dynasties and was under the control of the Mongolian empire in mid 13th century before the Joseon Dynasty regained the control of Korea, and were always engaged in quelling the invasion from the Manchu’s in the North and from the Japanese in the Eastern coast. Korea was under the control of Japan for nearly 50 years before the surrender of the Japanese in 1945 after the bombing of the two cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the World ward II by the allied forces.
Food and Culture in North Korea:
The common North Korean food consists of non spicy cold noodles, tofu, rice-porridge, corn, bean and pea dishes, sea food, staples, meat and poultry products etc. The winter foods include the kimchi and vegetables in brine, stored in Jars.
North Korea though under the control of Japanese influence from 1895 to 1945 had resisted strongly in imposing the Japanese culture on the Korean people. After the independence in 1945, North Korea has revived its culture by shunning the communistic ideology and the Juche was imposed on the people of North Korea. The people of North Korea are classified as per the directives of the songbun, into three main classifications and sub-classification numbering to fifty.
Shopping and Things to do in North Korea:
North Korea is not mainly a shopping center for tourists as there is an International Tourist Service Souvenir Shop in the capital city of Pyongyang selling books, post cards, stamps and trinkets and metal badges depicting the picture of the Korean leaders.
North Korea is not a tourist friendly country as there is strict restriction for the tourist movements and only few selected areas are allowed to be visited and those moving out of the capital city of Pyongyang have to move with travel permits.
Tourist Attractions in North Korea:
North Korea though it is having tourist potential sites that is restricted to foreign travelers, due to the countries internal policies and its isolation by the international communities. The Chinese tourists are more preferred than the other foreign travelers and are allowed into the country without many restrictions. The Korean International company conducts the guided tours.
- Jouche Tower: Tower erected as a symbol of Korean tradition and self reliance and nationalism on the banks of river Taedong.
- Mount Kumgang: On the East Coast of North Korea with a resort built by the Hyundai Company and connected by the Ship route.
- Baekdu Mountain: On the Chinese border is highest volcanic mountain also the Haven Lake in North Korea.
- Kuryong Pool
- Singye Temple
- Rajin-Sonbong Free Trade Zone: Place close to the borders of China and Russia and North Korea.
Connectivity to North Korea:
North Korea is not approachable from South Korea and through the Chinese border is the only land route to reach North Korea and by the sea where the Chinese ships are allowed to berth. The tourists have the option or reaching North Korea by the International train service from the capital of china to the capital of North Korea Pyongyang. The airport is in the capital city of Pyongyang for the international tourists to reach North Korea.
Hotel Accommodation in North Korea:
- Haebangsan Hotel 3*
- Pyongyang Hotel 3*
- Yanggakdo Hotel 3*
- Pothonggang Hotel 3*
- Youth Hotel 3*
- Koryo Hotel 3*
- Ryanggang Hotel 3*