North Korea
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Some information to help you prepare for your trip to North Korea |
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DO's and DON'Ts Please be aware that whilst we do all that we can to make sure that you have a relaxed and interesting tour it is most important that our guides are not put in any danger. They are under very strict regulations as to what they can and cannot do and what they can and cannot allow - this is not negotiable. For example; you are not free to wander around on your own, and there are photographic restrictions. The main problem is with journalists who have tried to enter the DPRK "under cover", this has led to serious situations which put the guides in danger. It is therefore only sensible to visit the DPRK if you can "put up" with the following: 1. In the DPRK you will be under close scrutiny from the guides and security. Use of cameras causes the majority of problems. You can only take a photograph of what the guides allow. The public are obliged to report all photography. Taking photos of soldiers, at check points, poverty, sneaked photos and close ups of people without their express permission will cause serious problems. Photography when being driven around is also restricted. Even what we would interpret as 'day to day' harmless scenes may cause problems. It is too easy to get carried away and think that it is not causing offence or would not put the guides in danger. This is not the case and therefore I ask you to take a very responsible attitude even though it may mean missing the photographic opportunity. If the group gets the confidence of the guides you will have amazing opportunities for photography and you will miss out on very little. DPRK regulations state that you cannot take a lens over 150 mm into the country. 2. Carefully consider questions before you pose them. What may seem innocent and genuine could cause offence; and do not pose "political" questions - remember the guides have to report on one another and the party at the end of each day. 3. Leaving the hotel without the guides or the guides' express permission is not possible. If you are feeling the need for 'a breath of air' then a casual stroll along the river is possible but only if accompanied with a guide. It is possible to stroll in the grounds of the hotel but please ask the guide and do not take your camera. 4. We are "invited" to the DPRK and therefore I ask you to respect the Koreans and their vision of the Great Leader – this involves bowing at the 20 metre statue on Mansudae and on various other occasions. One group from a European country showed so much disrespect for the Dear Leader, in the eyes of one of the public, that the incident was reported and subsequently the guides "disappeared"! Chewing gum, eating sweets and wearing scruffy clothing in places of national importance (such as Mansudae statue to Kim Il Sung, the Friendship Exhibition and Manyongdae birthplace of Kim Il Sung) will offend guides and the public. In all these instances it is the guides that get into trouble and not you. We cannot risk putting the guides in danger. If you are happy just to be taken around the 'system' with all the propaganda, then you will have a great experience. But, if any of the above could be a problem for you then I would suggest that it would be advisable not to visit the DPRK. Customs The usual list of prohibited items applies here i.e. arms, drugs, pornography etc. Immigration officers may examine your baggage and will look closely at any books especially on articles about North Korea. Please do not bring in any item that may risk confiscation. You will be asked to declare currency and electronic items such as cameras, radios etc. Mobile phones are confiscated at the border and given back to you on your return. Some say that video cameras are also confiscated but I have to say that this has never happened to me – not yet anyway – but situations can change. Just be quite open with all these types of items. I have even had people take in binoculars which are supposed to be "verboten", but they were keen on bird watching, were very open (having them hanging around their neck) and there was no problem! You can never tell! MP3 players/iPods are ok to take in. There is no limit on currency. DPRK regulations state that you cannot take a lens over 150 mm into the country. Currency The official exchange currency in DPRK is now Euros. It is possible to exchange other currencies (such as Pounds, Yen, Renminbi, HK Dollars) in the hotel but the rate will not be in your favour, it's best to change your money before entering the DPRK. I don't recommend travellers cheques as they are difficult to cash. It may be possible to get hold of real DPRK money in the hotel but unlikely. They do also accept Yuan (Renminbi) in the tourist shops and your Visa or Master credit card can also be used (NOT American Express) but the best currency to use when buying goods remains the Euro; make sure you take plenty of change with you as they tend to be very short in coin and often find it impossible to give change in euro. You must take your money in clean euros or pounds (no bigger than £20). They will not/cannot accept any torn or MARKED note (whether pencil or biro etc) to exchange. So ask your bank for new notes. Food and Health issues All meals are provided and inclusive on the tour and are OK. Most of the meals will feature traditional Korean food, inc: 'Namyoung'' (cold noodles); 'Pulgogi' (barbecued meat which you cook yourself); 'Kimchi' (pickled cabbage). Local beer and water are available at meal times. There is a rather limited menu for vegetarians. There should be a large thermos flask of boiling water in your room enabling you to make yourself a hot drink. This should be renewed each day. It is also useful to take tea bags or coffee/drinking chocolate just to have something different - milk and sugar are not provided. You will often have salads with your meals. There are those who say you should not eat the lettuce and tomato - in 12 years of visiting I have seldom had a problem! Medicines:- There is virtually nothing available in the DPRK but it is possible to purchase the standard sorts ie aspirin in Beijing though it’s best to take such medicines with you. If you do have a problem and are not sure of where to go the reception at your Beijing hotel will certainly help and direct you. They will probably also write the items or request in Chinese for you if you ask. If you suffer from a delicate stomach, I suggest you purchase and take your own medication from the UK. or in Beijing before you leave for DPRK. See below. It's not unknown for travellers to suffer problems despite taking all precautions and so, following advice from nurses who have travelled this route, I make the following suggestions: Make up a small firstaid kit containing:- laxatives, Imodium, dioralyte rehydration salts, anti sickness, cold/flu tablets, paracetamol, ibuprofen, zantac for stomach problems, anti-histamines, mosquito repellant, after-bite cream and anything else you can think of eg you can't get elastoplast. If you don't use any of it excellent, leave the pack with your tour guide as a gift! It's not normally a good idea to drink from bottles from which the top has been removed but sometimes to be efficient, the people waiting at table will often whip the tops off just as or just before you arrive. I have experienced a bottle of water which though opened in our presence in fact contained rice wine (I think); it tasted like petrol! Postal/phone services Postal services are available at the hotel. IDD phone and fax is available though monitored. It is cheaper to phone from the phone booths in the lobby of the Yangakkdo hotel rather than from your room. It is possible to send e-mails in the DPRK from the hotel server but you cannot check hotmail etc. Electricity Supply: 220 volts, two round or flat pin plugs. Television is PAL. Take battery chargers with you and an international "multi-plug". Shopping Most goods are available in the foreign currency stores and hotels at a price. Specialised items such as slide film, memory cards/sticks for digital cameras, batteries, contact lens solutions etc., should be taken. Climate Korea has a temperate climate with distinct seasonal changes. Early Spring is sunny but chilly so bring a warm coat and under clothes. In late Spring light clothing in the day and warm clothing at night is needed. Summer (June to August) is fairly hot and humid during the day and cooler night but bring a light raincoat as this is the rainy season. Autumn has marked variations between day and night so be prepared. Winter (December to February) has clear skies not much snow but is biting cold.
There is a 24 hour photo processing service in hotels and some shops. There are normally no restrictions on taking photographs in Pyongyang but common sense is called for, particularly at Panmunjom. Photographing the MILITARY is NOT ALLOWED especially in the Kaesong military district. People have had their films destroyed when caught taking pictures of guards at check points. It would be disasterous to lose your memory card not to say anything of the trouble the tour guide will get into because of your action. As in any country do not use your camera at border crossings or in the airport. Be sure to ask permission before taking photographs of people. Ask your guide if in doubt. They will also be extremely pleased to receive a copy later. Polaroid cameras are a wow! and you will make a friend for life if you take a photo of a child and give it to its parents Literature It is possible to take one piece of literature eg a personal bible with you (just make sure that you do NOT leave it behind). You must not take anything political or pornographic with you and certainly no leaflets or anything of that type to distribute. They have been quite happy for the English language China Daily to be taken in though they might well take it off you to read for themselves. Behaviour When offering or accepting food, gifts etc., it is polite and customary to use both hands. Hello = an-nyong ha-sim-ni-ka. Thank you = kam-sa ham-nida. Though it is not the norm to give tips in Korea, the guides and driver will appreciate them! I also suggest small gifts for the guides and driver such as packs of vitamins and other medecines (paracetamol etc), fresh fruit, coffee or chocolates. Some provisions are also good to share on the bus while we're on tour. The Koreans are quite suspicious of foreigners (part of their background) but you can have a great effect if you come across as open and friendly - have a smile on your face (it doesn't cost anything). In 1995, children would be very wary and try to ignore you, however they are now responding with 'hello' and are obviously fascinated and giggle a lot. It really helps to smile; learning the above basic greetings in Korean will also help. Korean men smoke like chimneys and it is a good idea to bring a carton or two of Western cigarettes to share between the driver and guides. Korean women do not smoke. It is also worth having some bars of chocolate and toiletries such as toothbrushes/paste, little fluffy handtowels, soft soap or cosmetics such as face cream, or jars of coffee/dried milk as you will meet various female guides during your trip and the ladies who look after your room. For starting a conversation it is a good idea to bring home/family photos (especially of small children) to let those whom you meet see a little of how you live. Useful addresses
Passport Take a photocopy of your passport and carry it in your luggage. Carry your passport at all times in Beijing – it will be collected and held at the hotel in the DPRK. Should anything happen so that you lose you passport at least you will have the photocopy with your details. Plane or Train Journey Now, we tend to travel my plane, but should there be a difficulty it is always possible that we may need to resort to the train. Travelling on the train I find can be fun. There are four to a cubicle with an outside corridor. Two sleep up on the ‘luggage racks’ and two sleep on the seats. Pillow, pillow case, sheets and blankets are all provided and are clean. There is little in the way of fresh air or air–conditioning, so it can be quite hot if they have sealed the little window – which is not uncommon. We shall be on the train for about 27 hours with only the opportunity to get off at Dandong, the border town in China – take an interesting book to read. We will be there for 4 hours dealing with passports/visas and customs. There is usually a restaurant car on the train with Chinese prices but usually we take our own food; so take a cup/mug for drinking, plate and knife, fork and spoon. There is a hot water boiler at one end of the corridor which normally comes into operation after ½ an hour to 1 hour of the journey starting. You can buy food in China or take some with you from here. Suggestions are cup of soup, pot noodles, tea/coffee/drinking chocolate, cheese, dry biscuits etc. There is no milk available. Toilet facilities are "Western" but far from hygienic and so I recommend that you take some toilet tissues with you, wet wipes and have your toilet bag and a small towel close at hand. They are locked when the train is in a station and all the time at Dandong and Sinuijui (4 hours). |
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