Precautions for Koreans traveling to northern China

North Korea tourism has been very popular in recent days, especially today when several Chinese celebrities went to perform in North Korea, setting off a craze. So, what should you pay attention to when traveling to North Korea? Today, the editor will tell you about it!

: Things that Chinese people should pay attention to when traveling to North Korea

1. How much does it cost?

When traveling, choose the train from Dandong, which takes four days. The route is "Pyongyang - Myohyangsan Panmunjom Kaicheng"

The total price is 2,560 yuan. I just checked the travel agency I signed up with last time. The current price is 2890 yuan, which is a price increase. The travel agency I signed up for paid on the spot, so there was no need to remit money in advance. As long as you pay in full before departure, you won't be scammed.

If you watch Arirang's performance, you have to pay 800 yuan at your own expense. And there are no self-funded projects. Of course, if you want to buy ginseng, books, stamps, souvenirs, mail postcards, etc., you have to spend your own money.

2. Can I bring mobile phones, cameras, laptops, USB flash drives and other items?

General card cameras and mirrorless cameras are fine, and SLR cameras with small lenses can also be carried. Please confirm with the tour guide of your travel agency in advance what you can bring. In addition, try not to bring English newspapers and magazines. I saw a pile of confiscated English newspapers and magazines at the customs.

If you are not allowed to bring your mobile phone, it is recommended to bring your own watch to record the time.

3. How is the itinerary arranged?

It may be strongly recommended that you choose the round-trip train method, because the aircraft owned by Air Koryo are all from the former Soviet Union, so the safety of the aircraft is indeed worrying. Besides, going to North Korea is just to meet people. It flies faster, so you can't see anything.

Take the train back and witness the low-altitude flight of the MiG-19. In broad daylight, the MiG-19 is as bright as a star.

Besides, "Pyongyang-Myohyangsan Panmunjeom Kaicheng" is just a reference route. If there are particularly major adjustments, visitors will be notified in advance.

We gathered at 8 o'clock on the first day of the four-day trip, slowly passed through the Chinese border inspection, and then transferred to a bus to cross the bridge. Then slowly pass the border inspection in North Korea and take a bus to Sinuiju Railway Station. Usually it’s 12 o’clock.

The train should depart at 12:00 and arrive at Pyongyang Railway Station around 18:00. In fact, there will always be delays. For the return trip, we will basically arrive at Pyongyang Railway Station around 10 am and return to Dandong before 17 pm.

The arrangement of the intermediate itinerary should be temporarily decided by the North Korean side. The schedule provided by the Chinese travel agency is for reference only.

4. Passport issue:

At the border, Chinese customs will check your passport and stamp your exit stamp, but North Korea will not leave any traces. Everyone's name, passport number and other information will be signed on the collective visa, which can be discarded after use to avoid tourists entering North Korea from encountering trouble when entering and leaving other countries.

5. How to spend it?

Theoretically, foreigners can only spend money in "foreign stores" run by the North Korean government. Although all price tags indicate the price in Ming Dynasty currency, North Korean currency is not exchanged. The Korean Won price tag is only for exchange reference. If you actually take out the Korean Won, it is impossible for you to use it.

The common currencies in all foreign stores in North Korea are yuan and euro. Because the official exchange rate between North Korea's RMB and South Korean Won is 1:14 or 1:15. This exchange rate is extremely bad, and the goods are not cheap after being converted at this price. For example, a popsicle costs 5 yuan, and a bottle of yogurt costs 10 yuan.

6. Who can travel to North Korea?

Everyone can go, including foreigners (it’s hard to say Koreans). In fact, the large group I reported in Dandong included Spaniards, Australians, and Malaysian overseas Chinese, and they all passed the border inspection smoothly. However, if North Koreans want to travel to North Korea, they need to inform them one week in advance and submit additional materials to North Korea for review.

7. Are you hungry?

The group meals provided are still OK. There will be chicken, soy products, white meat slices, fried fish and other vegetables, beer, and carbonated drinks. Most people are never hungry, so there is absolutely no need to carry instant noodles, pickled vegetables, bread, and lunch meat across the border.

8. How is the hotel accommodation?

The TV station in Yangjiao Hotel broadcasts 9 channels, namely Central Channel 1, Central Channel 2, and Phoenix News Channel.

But these channels are only open to tourists, even the room where the tour guide is located. Unable to watch. Pyongyang broadcasts four local channels, namely Pyongyang Channel, Mansudae Channel, Youth Channel and College Student Channel.

There is hot water for bathing, but it is said that the floor drain is not very good. The standard of Yangjiao Island Hotel is average and does not exceed the level of domestic three-star hotels.

9. Can I send a postcard?

Postcards mailed in North Korea can be sent back to China. Postcards can be mailed in Pyongyang or Panmunjeom, but the mailing time takes a long time and there is a risk of loss.

:Other notes

1. You can prepare a few packs of cigarettes. If you make a mistake, you can bribe the North Korean staff with cigarettes.

2. Departing from Sinuiju Railway Station, a North Korean tour guide will come to pick up the group and help lead the group. However, as soon as the North Korean tour guide got on the bus, he disappeared. Each person brings a small box for 6-8 people.

Taking pictures on the train is prohibited, but since tourists sit in a compartment isolated from North Koreans, they can take secret photos, just pay attention to safety. Don't be spotted by the gray flight attendants patrolling back and forth.

If discovered, the camera will be temporarily impounded and all photos will be deleted. This is no joke.

3. It is recommended that friends traveling bring an extra SD card.

4. When taking the train, do not throw candies, stationery and other things to North Korean children. North Korean receptionists would take this as an insult. Of course, if the North Korean reception staff is not available, it is recommended to vote more. My fellow countryman Grandpa Han threw it all the way, and the children on the roadside were very happy.

Travel to North Korea is still very popular, and you can only travel in a group. So when you come here, try to listen to the tour guide and don’t do anything that is not in compliance with the regulations of other countries.