How to Find Luxury Hotels in North Korea

North Korea, or The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a communist country where religion has been outlawed for the past 50 years and government is the highest authority. The country has high rates of poverty and hunger, and shortages of gas and electricity are frequent occurrences. Travel to North Korea is very difficult for casual tourists.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Phone for making reservations
• Computer with Internet access
• Passport
• Visa

Find Accommodations

1. Travel to Pyongyang and spend a night in the Yanggakdo Hotel, where most tourists stay. There's a revolving restaurant on the top floor and basement casino. Rates run from moderate to expensive, depending on your floor. Reach the hotel at 011 ([phone].
2. Enjoy island accommodations on Taedong river, located in Pyongyang's city center. You must stay on the island, however, until the entire tour groups move along. Remember that touring on your own s prohibited.
3. Spend the night in Kaesong and enjoy a solitary stay in a guest house. Observe Korean tradition and take off your shoes before entering.
4. View the Myohyang River from your hotel window, one of the few luxury amenities your hotel may have to offer. Bring your own snacks and entertainment. Also note that there is likely to be little or no hot water and the electricity may be cut periodically.
5. Soak in a thermal spring in Nampho. Enjoy the relaxation North Korea has to offer while resting in this natural hot water source.

Arrive in North Korea

6. Plan ahead to fly into China. You must hire a tour guide to take you directly into North Korea.
7. Travel with your tour guide and the rest of your tour. You are only authorized to be in the country with your guide, so don't lose the bus.

Get to Know North Korea

8. Travel through North Korea in a tour group. Touring with a group is the only way that foreigners are allowed into the country.
9. Exchange your currency for North Korean won (W) if you are authorized.

Tips & Warnings

• You will be assigned a room that your tour company has booked.
• You will not be allowed to roam without your assigned escort.
• No official online accommodations booking Web site or phone number exists for North Korea.
• Book your accommodations online through a third-party touring Web site. You'll be able to read up on available itineraries and learn more about your hotel options.
• The Yanggakdo Hotel does not have a Web site.
• All phone numbers include the United States 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.
• Foreign journalists have been threatened with arrest when questioning the policies or public statements or actions of the current leadership.
• Do not talk to North Koreans. You can be charged with espionage, if you do.
• Foreigners are subject to fines or arrest for unauthorized currency transactions or for shopping at stores not designated for foreigners.
• If you are unescorted within the country, North Korean officials have been known to assume that you are a spy and act accordingly.
• A North Korean visa may be difficult to obtain.

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