North Korea—officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea—remains one of the world’s most controlled destinations. Travel occurs on pre-arranged guided tours, with fixed routes and a state-assigned schedule. When tours are operating, most trips begin in Pyongyang, include a DMZ visit near Kaesong, and head north to Mount Myohyang for temple time, museum visits, and light hiking.

Expect theater-sized monuments, subway stations that double as palaces, and museums brimming with political narrative. You’ll also find moments of quiet: willow-lined river walks, Pohyon Temple’s wooden halls, and the mountain air of Manpok Valley. Cuisine tends to be hearty and traditional—think buckwheat cold noodles, duck barbecue, and plenty of kimchi—served at designated restaurants that typically host tour groups.

Important: Independent travel is not permitted. Most nationalities must book through a licensed tour company; Americans currently face a U.S. government travel ban requiring special validation. Border status and flight schedules can change; verify entry rules before booking. Bring cash (EUR or CNY are most practical), as cards and open internet aren’t available to visitors.

Pyongyang

Pyongyang is the political showpiece—broad boulevards, sweeping squares, and a skyline punctuated by the 170-meter Juche Tower. You’ll ride the Pyongyang Metro, visit the Korean War Museum to see the USS Pueblo, and likely tour Moranbong Park to observe daily life—always accompanied by your guides.

Classic stops include the Mansudae Grand Monuments, the Arch of Triumph, Kim Il Sung Square, and the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum. Food highlights for visitors often feature Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) and sizzling duck barbecue—at restaurants accustomed to tour groups.

• Where to stay (arranged by your operator): Koryo Hotel (central, café and rooftop revolving restaurant), Sosan Hotel (budget-friendly, sports complex nearby), or Yanggakdo International Hotel (river island location). Browse major platforms for context and pricing, though you’ll book via your tour:
  • Hotels.com: Pyongyang
  • VRBO: Pyongyang
• Getting in/out: When tours operate, typical entry is by flight from Beijing (about 1h50m) or by international train via Dandong. Book flights to Beijing with:
  • Search flights on Trip.com
  • Compare fares on Kiwi.com
  For positioning by rail to Dandong (China), use:
  • Trip.com Trains

Hyangsan (Mount Myohyang)

Two to two-and-a-half hours north of Pyongyang, Mount Myohyang (Myohyangsan) pairs wooded valleys with cultural heavyweights: Pohyon Temple, one of the country’s most important Buddhist sites, and the vast International Friendship Exhibition built into the mountainside.

Between museum complexes and temple courtyards, you’ll find gentle trails—Manpok Valley is a favorite—for a taste of the countryside. Evenings are quiet; most travelers dine and overnight at the Hyangsan Hotel.

• Where to stay (arranged by your operator): Hyangsan Hotel (the standard overnight in the region). For a sense of availability and context, you can browse:
  • Hotels.com: Hyangsan
  • VRBO: Hyangsan
• Travel from Pyongyang: Private coach on the Pyongyang–Hyangsan highway; ~2–2.5 hours each way, typically included in the tour cost.

Day 1: Arrival in Pyongyang

Morning: Fly into Beijing or another regional hub. If needed, position to Beijing using Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Meet your tour group for the onward flight or train when scheduled.

Afternoon: Arrive in Pyongyang, meet guides, and check into your assigned hotel (often Koryo, Sosan, or Yanggakdo). Orientation drive past Kim Il Sung Square and the Taedong River sets the scene.

Evening: Welcome dinner at a designated KITC restaurant such as Okryu-gwan if scheduled—renowned for Pyongyang Naengmyeon, buckwheat noodles in chilled beef broth with sliced beef, cucumber, and pear. If time allows, a relaxed stroll with guides along the river embankment or a quick stop at a hotel café for an espresso.

Day 2: Pyongyang Icons, History, and the Metro

Morning: Pay respects at the Mansudae Grand Monuments (large bronze statues; formal attire appreciated). Continue to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum to see the USS Pueblo and tour the extensive galleries—an essential window into DPRK historical narrative.

Afternoon: Lunch at Chongryu Hot Pot (when scheduled) for tabletop broth with sliced meats and vegetables. Ride the Pyongyang Metro between chandeliered stations like Puhung and Yonggwang, then surface near the Arch of Triumph for photos and a guided wander in Moranbong Park, where locals relax on weekends.

Evening: Try duck barbecue at Moranbong Duck Restaurant (a frequent tour stop) with lettuce wraps and banchan. Cap the night with a pint at a Taedonggang beer hall (e.g., No. 3) if open to foreigners that day, sampling crisp local lagers named after the river.

Day 3: Kaesong and the DMZ (Day Trip)

Morning: Early departure on the Reunification Highway (about 2.5–3 hours) to Kaesong. Visit the Panmunjom/DMZ area with military escorts; rules are strict but the experience is singular—blue conference huts straddling the border and a close look at one of the world’s tensest frontiers.

Afternoon: Lunch in Kaesong with traditional set-menu service in brassware bowls (small plates of meats, vegetables, and soups). Explore the Koryo Museum (former Confucian academy) and browse for ginseng products, the region’s specialty, before returning to Pyongyang.

Evening: Dinner back in Pyongyang—consider a simple noodle or rice set at a KITC venue. If scheduled, attend a performance (e.g., Pyongyang Circus or a music/dance show), or visit the Pyongyang Golden Lane Bowling Center for a lighthearted hour with locals.

Day 4: Pyongyang to Mount Myohyang (Hyangsan)

Morning: Drive north to Mount Myohyang (about 2–2.5 hours). En route, your guides may point out cooperative farms and rural scenery—photography rules apply, so always ask first.

Afternoon: Tour the International Friendship Exhibition, an enormous complex of halls built into the mountain, showcasing diplomatic gifts. Then stretch your legs in Manpok Valley on a gentle trail along streams and small cascades—good walking shoes recommended.

Evening: Check into the Hyangsan Hotel. Dinner at the hotel dining room; afterward, unwind at the lounge or enjoy a quiet walk near the property with your guides. Coffee and tea are available at the lobby bar.

Day 5: Pohyon Temple and Return to Pyongyang

Morning: Visit Pohyon Temple, a historic Buddhist complex with wooden pavilions and pagodas, set against forested hills. It’s one of the most atmospheric religious sites accessible to visitors in the DPRK.

Afternoon: Return to Pyongyang and stop at the Juche Tower for panoramic city views via elevator (tickets paid on-site via guides). If the schedule allows, drop by the Science & Technology Center on Ssuk Island to see exhibits and architecture.

Evening: Farewell dinner—options often include a Korean barbecue spread or a dumpling-and-noodle set. For a final toast, sample another Taedonggang beer or a glass of soju at your hotel’s bar. Karaoke rooms at larger hotels are a fun, very local nightcap.

Day 6: Final Sights and Departure

Morning: If permitted and open, visit the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun (strict formal dress code) or, alternatively, spend more time at Kim Il Sung Square and the Foreign Languages Bookshop for curated souvenirs. Quick coffee at the Koryo Hotel café before checkout.

Afternoon: Airport or train station transfer for your exit. For onward connections beyond Beijing or Dandong, compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Depart with ample buffer time—schedules and checks can be fluid.

Evening: Most travelers overnight in Beijing for connections. If you need a placeholder to research lodging for your stopover, browse Hotels.com: Beijing while planning.

Eating and Coffee: Specific Picks You May Encounter

• Okryu-gwan (Pyongyang): The city’s emblematic restaurant for cold buckwheat noodles, often included on classic itineraries.
• Moranbong Duck Restaurant (Pyongyang): Table-grilled duck slices with greens, sauces, and banchan—great for sharing.
• Chongryu Hot Pot (Pyongyang): Individual hot pots with thin-sliced meats and vegetables—cozy and filling.
• Koryo Hotel Café (Pyongyang): Reliable coffee drinks and sweets; convenient meet-up spot before or after touring.
• Hyangsan Hotel Restaurant (Mount Myohyang): Set menus with seasonal vegetables, grilled meats, and noodle dishes; breakfast buffets for tour groups.
• Kaesong Brassware Lunch: Traditional banquet-style service in brass bowls—expect rice, soups, kimchi varieties, and assorted small plates.

Budget Tips for a 35/100 Spend

• Choose a small-group tour over private—per-day costs drop substantially.
• Request mid-range hotels (e.g., Sosan) to avoid premiums; accept a roommate to dodge single supplements.
• Enter/exit via train on one leg (when running) to reduce airfare costs; plan flexible dates to catch group allocations.
• Bring EUR or CNY cash; avoid surprise currency exchange losses. Souvenirs and optional activities (elevator tickets, beer halls) are modest but cash-only.
• Travel in shoulder seasons (spring or fall) for better pricing and comfortable touring weather.

Practical Notes

• Always follow your guides’ instructions; photography and movement are regulated.
• Internet access is not available; expect only local intranet and hotel phone lines. Bring offline maps, books, and entertainment.
• Dress smart-casual; pack one formal outfit if aiming for Kumsusan Palace. Comfortable walking shoes are a must.
• Medical facilities are limited—carry a basic kit and necessary prescriptions.
• Border and flight operations can change; confirm tour viability and entry rules at the time of booking.

When tours operate, this 6-day plan gives you Pyongyang’s headline monuments, a meaningful DMZ visit, and the fresh air of Mount Myohyang—balanced with realistic logistics and budget choices. You’ll leave with a rare snapshot of daily rhythms and grand narratives that define travel in the DPRK.