How to Find Luxury Hotels in Pyongyang, North Korea

Luxury accommodations in North Korea's capital city of Pyongyang are available within limits. North Korea is a dictatorship under the rule of Kim Jong-Il. As a dictatorship, travel is strictly controlled and may be ill advised for those who are not prepared to travel while honoring the laws and rules of the country. Follow these steps to start planning your trip.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A passport
• A computer with Internet access

Book Your Luxury Tour to Pyongyang, North Korea

1. Call the Korea Tourism Organization in Los Angeles at 323-634-0281 or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

2. Book accommodations at the Yanggakdo Hotel by calling 011 ([phone], Ext. 2134.

3. Select a tour group with a history of travel in North Korea.

4. Search the Internet for companies that specialize in North Korean tours.

5. Ask each tour company about the qualifications of their guides and their interpretation of recent events in North Korea. Be wary of companies that gloss over the delicate nature of travel in Pyongyang.

Understand the Current Climate and State of North Korea

6. Review your decision to travel in Pyongyang. Tensions between North Korea and many other countries have become pronounced.

7. Make only positive comments about North Korea during your visit.

8. Consider your citizenship. Americans and South Koreans are typically not allowed to travel to North Korea.

9. Expect mountains of red tape when applying for a visa if you are a journalist.

10. Consider the social climate you will meet in Pyongyang. The people there are not free to wander. You will not be, either.

11. Book your visit as part of an arranged tour. Travel to North Korea without an approved tour group is prohibited. If you like to strike out on your own, choose another destination.

12. Take account of your political beliefs. Because there is no free market system in North Korea, all money you spend there will go to the dictatorial government.

13. Follow all instructions given to you by your guides. You'll be under the watchful eye of North Korean soldiers.

Find Luxury Accommodations in Pyongyang, North Korea

14. Research the Pyongyang accommodations your tour group has frequented in the past.

15. Prepare to be assigned to a hotel by the Pyongyang government. You will have no say in the matter.

16. Visit travel blogs written by those who have stayed in Pyongyang.

17. Relax your culinary expectations when staying in North Korea. Due to food shortages, many luxury food items are unavailable even to tourists. Don't expect much fresh fruit or chocolate.

18. Expect luxury to be similar to Western three-star accommodations. Bars, restaurants and pools can be found.

19. Retreat from crowds. Travelers report that large hotels are often virtually empty, with entire floors deserted.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no English booking Web site for the Yanggakdo Hotel.
• All phone numbers include the U.S. international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."
• All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.