North Korea

Santa Claus

Has anyone been to North Korea or know anyone who has ?

I'm heading off to South Korea next spring and I'm interested in travelling up there out of curiosity.
I've read a bit about it and understand that you must get and official "guide", but I'm wondering whether I'll actually get to see anything being led around by a guide other than approved tourist areas.

Bluehair

As far as i know visas are hard to come by but that may have changed (doubt by much).

One of my professors visited a few years ago as part of an academic group and had his own personal 'guide' for the entire visit. This guy literally went into the bathroom with him to ensure he didn't talk to anyone who hadn't been authorised never mind visit areas outside exactly what they want you to see.

Would def be a fascinating place to visit but I wouldn't get my hopes up about seeing anything other than the approved version.

davros

You can't get to North Korea from South Korea though, can you? I thought that border was pretty much sealed.

pontovic

as far as i know you can only get into north korea from china. you need to take a train from beijing. you will also need a tourist visa, which can be obtained from their consular buildings in either paris or beijing. ive never been but i would like to go.

douglasman

As pontovic says, you can only enter North Korea from China. You can either fly from Beijing on North Korea's Air Koryo twice weekly flight or take the train. You cannot enter South Korea from North Korea or vice versa, but you can visit the border area between both countries, just not cross