How to Find Cheap Hotels in Pyongyang, North Korea

North Korea does not have a particularly positive reputation in the eyes of the United States, namely due to its affiliation with nuclear weaponry and serious discord with its neighbor, South Korea. Visitors to Pyongyang should understand that while individual workers in North Korea may prove friendly, the overall feeling is not a favorable one for American citizens.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Contact information for the United States embassy in Seoul, Korea
• Computer with Internet access

Choose Your Accommodations in Pyongyang, North Korea

1. Seek out the expertise of the Koryo Tour Group in Beijing, China by phone at 011 ([phone] or visit its Web site for assistance in booking lodging in North Korea (see Resources below).

2. Expect a fairly vacant hotel. The few hotels you have to choose from tend to be rather large, but with low occupancy. As a result, service can be very good, but hotel stays can feel a bit eerie.

3. Do not depend on telephone communication when finalizing your reservations from abroad. International lines have been known to be disconnected without warning, and while your accommodations may have phones available for international calls, the charges accrued won't be cheap.

4. Book your accommodations in Pyongyang well in advance. While you may have a possibility of finding a price break, cheap accommodations are not easy to find in North Korea and travelers will probably end up staying in a major hotel, paying a significant price for a nightly stay.

Know Your Destination

5. Avoid travel in July and August, as this is Pyongyang's typhoon season. However, accommodations may offer cheap rates for this less-than-ideal travel season.

6. Consult the American embassy in Seoul, South Korea regarding their neighbors to the north before departing for your trip.

Visit Points of Interest in Pyongyang

7. Do not expect to go out on your own. North Korea is very strict in regulating tourism. Independent tourism is not permitted by the government. You must be traveling with a group authorized to visit North Korea or with a guide approved by the government.

8. Visit the Tower of the Juche Idea downtown.

Tips & Warnings

• Access to banks is limited. Come to Pyongyang with everything you will need for your travels.
• Remember that personal freedoms are far more limited than in the United States.
• Phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally from outside the United States, check which international dialing prefix to use. All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• The language barrier can be significant, especially if guards who do not speak English try to communicate with you. If you are not familiar with the Korean language, try to travel with someone who is.

[jadedragoninbc]

on 11/27/2009 This article is not too helpful because it contains factual errors. Language will not be a problem because your ever present guides will speak english.