Pyongyang

Pyeongyang is the capital city of North Korea. It is situated on the Taedong River in the northwest of the country. To get an impression of the old Korea try to see the Taedong and the Potong Gate. To relax go to Moranbong Park or to the more disney-like Taesongsan recreation ground with a monorail, a rollercoaster and candy floss.

Visitors to North Korea will need to be accompanied by an accredited guide or guides, who will arrange where you can visit. This is true of package tourists (the only way tourists can get in). However, personal visitors of foreign residents in Pyongyang are free to go around by themselves, unless explicitly told not to by Korean authorities. This can happen, but is not always the case.

Residents are usually free to wander around. However, they cannot use buses. The subway system CAN be used, despite rumours to the contrary. There are two routes, and all the stations are open to foreigners. Despite being old, the trains run quite efficiently, and are phenomenally cheap (5 won a ride, any distance- there are roughly 5000 won to a euro on the black market). The biggest drawback to this form of transport is that the subway is only on the west side of the river, while Munsu dong, where all foreign residents live, is on the east side.

Taxis can be taken, but Koreans usually are very nervous about accepting foreigners. One exception might be the Koryo hotel, situated near the railway station. Expect the driver to check with the hotel that he is allowed to take you first. Around €5 will cover a medium distance one way ride.