What do you need to know when traveling in North Korea?

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is located in the east of the Asian continent. The total area of the Korean peninsula and islands is about 222,000 square kilometers, of which North Korea has an area of about10.22 million square kilometers and a population of 20 million. South Korea covers an area of about 90,000 square kilometers and has a population of 44 million. North Korea is bounded by Tumen River and Yalu River, and borders China and Russian. The southeast and west are surrounded by the sea. The mountainous area accounts for 80% of the total area of the Korean peninsula, and the mountainous areas are mostly concentrated in the north and east. North Korea is a single country: North Korea. Today, Bian Xiao tells you something about North Korea.

1: Do I need to join a tour group when traveling in North Korea?

A: Yes!

This is the most concerned issue for young tourists going to the DPRK! I want to freestyle in Korea, but I can't realize it yet. According to the regulations of the DPRK, foreigners' residence and travel procedures during their stay in the DPRK must be assisted by the reception unit of the DPRK, and applicants cannot apply directly.

Foreigners must be accompanied by the personnel of the reception unit after entering the country. Now you must travel with a group to North Korea, and you must be accompanied by a North Korean tour guide. Tourists need to submit relevant materials to China Travel Agency in advance, and the travel agency will handle the team visa. Embassies and consulates in China of Korea does not accept individual applications. In addition, the diet, accommodation and itinerary during the trip to North Korea need to be arranged by the institutions stationed in North Korea, and individuals cannot book and pay. Therefore, after tourists arrive in North Korea, they must not rush to leave the team to play.

2: Where can I go?

A: There are only a few places, but the scenery is really good!

Due to the restrictions of North Korea's policy, the areas open to tourists are extremely limited, so there are many tour routes of travel agencies, which are divided into one-day tours and multi-day tours for tourists to choose independently.

3: Where can I sign up for a tour group?

Dandong Tian Hong International Travel Service, of course!

At present, Tian Hong International Travel Service in Dandong can sign up for one-day or multi-day tours to North Korea. In the peak season (summer half year), if there is demand, you need to go to the travel website in advance or call Dandong Tian Hong Travel Agency.

Beijing and Shenyang have regular flights to and from Pyongyang every week. It takes about 3 hours for Beijing to fly to Pyongyang, and only 1 hour for Shenyang to fly to Pyongyang. International trains arrive in Pyongyang from Beijing and Dandong. The train travel time from Beijing to Pyongyang is about 26 hours, and it takes 8 hours from Dandong to Pyongyang. Visitors are required to register at least 7 days in advance and submit registration materials. In addition, you can take a one-day tour of local 1 sinuiju in Dandong and take a short-term city tour to North Korea by bus. Both types of tour groups require visitors to register at least three days in advance and submit their registration materials.

4. Are there any requirements for the identity of tourists?

A: Basically not!

In fact, there are no restrictions on the identity of Korean tourists in northern China. Whether you are a returned student or not, whether you have a European or American visa, and what kind of political views you have, it will not affect your travel to North Korea.

5: Will you leave a North Korean visa sticker on your passport?

A: No need ~

If you fly directly from Shenyang to Pyongyang to enter North Korea, you will leave a North Korean sticker visa on your passport. But when you enter the country by train or bus, you won't leave a North Korean sticker visa on your passport! ! Only the entry and exit stamps of China border inspection will be left.

Many tourists are worried that leaving a North Korean visa in their passports will affect visa applications from European and American countries in the future. In fact, it doesn't matter in principle, but if you are not at ease, you can choose a tour group that arrives in Pyongyang by train.

6: Can the mobile phone camera shoot? Can I surf the Internet?

A: Yes! But there is no internet!

North Korea's requirements for electronic equipment have been relaxed. Now you can bring your mobile phone and camera into North Korea, but the lens of SLR cameras can't exceed 200 mm and you can't carry printed ones? GPS？ Electronic equipment with the words "enter North Korea".

If you want to call China by mobile phone, you need to buy a mobile phone card for foreigners. This calling card can only call foreign numbers, and the destination cannot be South Korea. Internet access and short message service are not supported. This card can be bought at Pyongyang airport or Koryolink's shop, and the price is also expensive. Each card is about 400 yuan RMB. The call to China is 2.5 USD per minute (about 17 yuan RMB), and the answer is 0. 14 USD per minute (about 0.86 RMB).

In North Korea, there is no Internet environment, and tourists' mobile phones, hotels, buses and restaurants have no Internet. This is also an opportunity for urbanites who rely on the Internet to return to a quiet life. Without the interruption of the internet, tourists can concentrate more on this trip, which may become more unforgettable.

Where can I exchange Korean currency? Can I pay by credit card?

A: You can't change won, you can't swipe your card, there are special shops, and RMB must do!

The won is the common currency of North Korea. However, under the lock-in policy of the North Korean government, the won does not flow out and cannot be directly exchanged for foreign currency, which is only used by the permanent residents of North Korea in China. Foreign tourists can't exchange won, and the North Korean government stipulates that foreigners can only spend in RMB, Euro or US dollars in North Korea, and they can only spend in shops open to foreigners. China tourists who travel to North Korea can save the step of changing money and spend and exchange RMB directly in North Korea. In addition, North Korea cannot use credit cards. Please prepare cash if you have shopping needs. 8: What are the specialties of North Korea?

A: Unique Korean cuisine!

The food in North Korea is similar to that in South Korea, including kimchi, ginseng chicken soup, bibimbap, Korean cold noodles and so on. Although North Korea is short of materials, there will also be chicken, pork, bean products, fried fish, various pickles, beer and carbonated drinks. Will you taste those famous ones when you go to Kaesong? Copper bowl rice? This must be high-end in North Korea? Big meal? Yes In addition, tourists can also taste local specialties at their own expense, such as 20 yuan/bowl of Korean cold noodles, 20 yuan/serving of 260 yuan ginseng chicken, etc.

9: How about the accommodation?

A: Stay in the best hotel in North Korea!

The hotels that the tour group stayed in were all characteristic hotel, where North Korea received foreign guests, and they were all the best hotels in North Korea. However, the hotel standards in North Korea can't meet the international standards, among which Yangjiao Island Hotel with the best conditions is about the level of three-star hotels in China. The quality and variety of daily necessities provided by hotels in North Korea are limited, so it is best for tourists to prepare toiletries separately. The hotel sometimes stops water and electricity, so it is best to bring your own charging treasure and take a shower early after returning to the hotel to avoid running out of hot water.