NationStates Jolt Archive

It looks as though I'll be finishing my undergrad uni degree in the middle of next year, and won't be able to start my honours year until the start of 2009. Which leaves me with more than half a year of nothing much to do. My dad suggests working and earning back all the money I spent on uni fees since I started (and since then I'll have two bachelor degrees maybe I'll be able to), but I think this is a godsent.

So I wanna travel around. Going back to Germany for a few weeks is on the cards, but there's another place I've always wanted to go: North Korea.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/north-korea

Now, before you call me insane, I know there's guided tourist tours around the sites. I missed out on real communism as a tourist attraction back in the day (we were in East Germany, but I was too young to appreciate it) and I'm sure it'll be a great experience.

Somehow I can't convince anyone I know here of that fact though. Funny that.

So is anyone up for it? Does anyone have the time between June 2008 and Februrary 2009 to go for a few weeks holidays to North Korea (and maybe a bit in Japan if we're already in the area)? I imagine it would take some time to get the visa approved and stuff, so one can never start planning too early.

I'm not sure how you go about getting into the country. Probably fly into S. Korea, drive to the border and get in line. I think I'd ask a travel agent. :p

Anyway, what are you planning on seeing there? Do they have a water slide? I might go if they had a really great water slide.

I think it does have an attraction, but it would be quite dangerous. I would be very surprised if your 'tour guides' allowed you to see any of the effects of their particular brand of communism, too.

I'm not sure how you go about getting into the country. Probably fly into S. Korea, drive to the border and get in line. I think I'd ask a travel agent. :p
Yeah. Either that or get a dinghi and paddle.

Seriously though, there's probably regular air connections to China, plus I know you can cross at one of the DMZ checkpoints.

Anyway, what are you planning on seeing there? Do they have a water slide? I might go if they had a really great water slide.
I don't think they'll let me choose what I get to see. On the other hand, I'd just about trust the North Koreans to have the biggest waterslide in the world (and no water for it).

I suppose Pyongyang is one great big tourist attraction, then there's their sacred mountain, probably a few tours of model factories and farms to demonstrate the superiority of Juche and so on.

I think it does have an attraction, but it would be quite dangerous.
Anyone can go to Hawaii. This would be an adventure!

I would be very surprised if your 'tour guides' allowed you to see any of the effects of their particular brand of communism, too.
Obviously. The hotel rooms would be bugged too and all that. But that's part of the appeal.

So is anyone up for it?

Who are you referring to?

the real question here is what the clubbing scene is like and how loose the women are:p

Who are you referring to?
Anyone I know vaguely from NS General. As I said, my friends and acquaintances here don't much care for the idea, but I think on NSG there might just be someone silly enough to do it. Call it an NSG meet in Pyongyang. :p

I just don't want to go alone, because that would be scary.

You have severe mental deficiencies.

Anyone I know vaguely from NS General. As I said, my friends and acquaintances here don't much care for the idea, but I think on NSG there might just be someone silly enough to do it. Call it an NSG meet in Pyongyang. :p

I just don't want to go alone, because that would be scary.

You're serious?

If you want to go to a communist country, both Cuba and China are safer then N. Korea.
EDIT: Although I will admit China is communist in name only.

Anyone I know vaguely from NS General. As I said, my friends and acquaintances here don't much care for the idea, but I think on NSG there might just be someone silly enough to do it. Call it an NSG meet in Pyongyang. :p

I just don't want to go alone, because that would be scary.

The first thing you might do is contact the state department (well, your equivalent) and see if it's even legal to go. :p First thing's first, after all.

www.koryotours.com

It's no fun - you're absolutely guided everywhere, you can't mope around by yourself and it's all pretty much a sham. The only good time to go is on their national day when they spend a massive amount on synchronised dancing and whatnot.

There's better places to spend your money than on propping up Kim.

China itself is a better bet but not really good communism.

Why not Mongolia - it's as different and it's a weird place to boot.

I've met a couple of people who've done it. Could be quite fun, but the red tape and arraingements are a nightmare.

I'm not sure how you go about getting into the country. Probably fly into S. Korea, drive to the border and get in line. I think I'd ask a travel agent. :p

Anyway, what are you planning on seeing there? Do they have a water slide? I might go if they had a really great water slide.

I'm pretty sure the cross DMZ travel is still restricted to Koreans meeting family members and a few small South Korean tour groups. Most people take the train or fly from Beijing. That could be an adventure in and of itself, as Air Koryo is supposed to be one of the absolute worst airlines in the world: http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/JS.htm

I think it does have an attraction, but it would be quite dangerous. I would be very surprised if your 'tour guides' allowed you to see any of the effects of their particular brand of communism, too.

It shouldn't be too dangerous, as long as one doesn't do anything naughty, such as say something bad about Kim or take a picture of anything your handler doesn't approve of.

The first thing you might do is contact the state department (well, your equivalent) and see if it's even legal to go. :p First thing's first, after all.

US and S. Korean citizens are restricted, and I've heard a few others like Israelis and Japanese have had difficulties. But since Neo's German, he shouldn't have any trouble.

I'm pretty sure the cross DMZ travel is still restricted to Koreans meeting family members and a few small South Korean tour groups. Most people take the train or fly from Beijing. That could be an adventure in and of itself, as Air Koryo is supposed to be one of the absolute worst airlines in the world: http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/JS.htm

US and S. Korean citizens are restricted, and I've heard a few others like Israelis and Japanese have had difficulties. But since Neo's German, he shouldn't have any trouble.

That's sort of what I thought, having seen the clips of S. Koreans crossing over on the news. At least it's possible though, which is nice. :p

It would be cool to see one of those goose stepping flag waving military parades.

Pyongyang has some good sites though, like this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Triumph_(Pyongyang)

I'll go with you NL :)

IMHO the place looks like a bit of a dump, but don't take it from me, I've never been there.

In terms of getting in, you can't cross the North/South border, ever. You can't even get within 5 miles of it for the most part. The only way in is through China to the North, they have cross border trains.

IMHO the place looks like a bit of a dump, but don't take it from me, I've never been there.

It's poor, but the usual complaint I've heard from people I know who've been to S. Korea isn't the poverty, but the oppressive heat and the exteme cold. That's what I'd look out for first. Could be some miserable weather. ;)

It would be cool to see one of those goose stepping flag waving military parades.

Pyongyang has some good sites though, like this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Triumph_(Pyongyang)

I'll go with you NL :)

Hey! The NKA might even be able to run the vehicles, now that they have recently came across an extra 50, 000 tons of heavy oil supplied by the 6-Party Talks nations.

I would personally love to go, and if I could Leonstien, I'd be booking by flights right now. Unfortunately I don't think my family will approve.

In terms of getting in, you can't cross the North/South border, ever. You can't even get within 5 miles of it for the most part. The only way in is through China to the North, they have cross border trains.

Not quite accurate, but close.

*The OP*
I've heard it's quite good. Very, very safe, no theft or anything goes on, the only problem is the fact that you'll have a couple of people with you at all times to try and keep you from seeing anything particularly unglorious.

But hey, the tourist bits are the only places with 100% hot running water and electricity, so it might be a laugh!

It looks as though I'll be finishing my undergrad uni degree in the middle of next year, and won't be able to start my honours year until the start of 2009. Which leaves me with more than half a year of nothing much to do. My dad suggests working and earning back all the money I spent on uni fees since I started (and since then I'll have two bachelor degrees maybe I'll be able to), but I think this is a godsent.

I think I'd vote with your dad. If you have saved up enough to travel like that, you've saved up enough to pay back some of the debts you must owe.

If you're set on visiting a run-down communist country, I think Cuba would be a little more fun. At least, you wouldn't be living with the imminent threat of a wacko leader going to war with his southern neighbor.

I'll go with you NL :)
I was afraid of that...

I think I'd vote with your dad. If you have saved up enough to travel like that, you've saved up enough to pay back some of the debts you must owe.
Actually, I can pride myself on being debt-free. It takes a lot of pizzas and a few good months on the share market, but I've been paying the $3000 every semester upfront and from my own money. The only person who helped me was my grandma, and she insists that I don't have to pay her back.

And for everyone: I've been to China, and while fascinating it didn't feel particularly dystopian. The whole idea of going to North Korea would be to do a trip into 1984.

As a primer see the North Korea: The Parade (Defilada) documentary if you haven't:
http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0451,park3,59426,20.html.
EDIT: Or maybe not, I just checked and it seems it has not been published outside of Poland :(. Well, bummer. This movie shows the phenomenon of Northern Korea in a minimistic way - it uses only the words the people living there and praising their great leader and pictures of the country preparing for the celebration of its 40th anniversary. It was even approved by the NK government! The power of the movie lies in the silent accusation of the entire system that produces humans who believe in all this bulshit, who are part of the totally unacceptable cult of one evil man.

I was afraid of that...


Actually, I can pride myself on being debt-free. It takes a lot of pizzas and a few good months on the share market, but I've been paying the $3000 every semester upfront and from my own money. The only person who helped me was my grandma, and she insists that I don't have to pay her back.

And for everyone: I've been to China, and while fascinating it didn't feel particularly dystopian. The whole idea of going to North Korea would be to do a trip into 1984.
Good for you on the college debt. If you really want to be in a time machine and travel back to about the 16th century or so, try Pakistan. If you only want to go back a couple hundred years, there's always India. The Taj Mahal is must see.

But if dystopia is what you want, I'm not sure you'll ever find a better place than North Korea...Iran?

And for everyone: I've been to China, and while fascinating it didn't feel particularly dystopian. The whole idea of going to North Korea would be to do a trip into 1984.
Yeah, incidentally, don't imagine you'll be getting on NSG when you're there :p

North Korea? You've got be kidding me. There's nothing to see there. You'll just get dragged around by a bunch of tour guides, not allowed to move freely anywhere in the country, ecept inside your hotel. And you don't really see the country. Just some sites put up to make it look better.

North Korea? You've got be kidding me. There's nothing to see there. You'll just get dragged around by a bunch of tour guides, not allowed to move freely anywhere in the country, ecept inside your hotel. And you don't really see the country. Just some sites put up to make it look better.
You been there, then?

Make sure you wear a Che t-shirt of something :) Just to show your revolutionariness

Make sure you wear a Che t-shirt of something :) Just to show your revolutionariness
Eugh. What a cliché.

Eugh. What a cliché.
Che loves irony.

Che loves irony.
You'd have to hope so, or the amount of spinning he'd be doing in his grave could power the whole of China using the generator effect.

It's going to be cool, just think that a real, working, breathing gulags are just around the corner you're not allowed to go beyond.

And Nazis also had those military parades. Meh, Nazi ones were even cooler - lots of torches and piles of burning books:rolleyes:

I'd go with ya, if it wasn't North Korea. If only we could travel to Eastern Europe three decades ago...

If you do end up going, try and start a revolution :)

If only we could travel to Eastern Europe three decades ago...
Visit Belarus, things haven't changed much over there since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. They even still have the KGB.

The only way I'd like to see North Korea is from the back of a C-130.

The only way I'd like to see North Korea is from the back door of a C-130.

You mean you want to sky-dive over North Korea? Unusual, but maybe the travel agent can work something out.

I'd go with them:
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/images/photos/2005-04/photoessays/pi20050408B1.jpg

i want to go


is this a serious NS meetup,though?

But there aren't red and yellow flags everywhere, or huge military parades, or anything of the sort.

Thought I have heard they are trying to reunite with Russia.

Yes. I believe that is actually a permanent political objective grounded in the Russian Federation's constitution.

Visit Belarus, things haven't changed much over there since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. They even still have the KGB.

But there aren't red and yellow flags everywhere, or huge military parades, or anything of the sort.

Thought I have heard they are trying to reunite with Russia.

But there aren't red and yellow flags everywhere, or huge military parades, or anything of the sort.

Thought I have heard they are trying to reunite with Russia.

that would be so ironic

I'd go if I could. North Korea is one of the most surreal experiences still left...it's like a Cold War themepark with actual starvation and real guns.

I went to North Korea once before. It's not that bad as the American media says it is. They should stop filming in the ghetto and actually film in the places where theres a bunch of people and its part of the hotspots.

Pyongyang isn't so full of military stuff as most Americans say, infact, I love Pyongyang when I was there. Especially with the Korean girls there, the best girls in the world. The people have manners, and if you check the wealthy side of North Korea, it'll be even better than the US's even makes us look at them.

So, I encourage EVERYONE to visit North Korea.

I'd go if I could. North Korea is one of the most surreal experiences still left...it's like a Cold War themepark with actual starvation and real guns.

dude, that is so weird.

this is like what lonely planet said about them

A flipside Disneyland of state-sanctioned sights.

I went to North Korea once before. It's not that bad as the American media says it is. They should stop filming in the ghetto and actually film in the places where theres a bunch of people and its part of the hotspots.

Pyongyang isn't so full of military stuff as most Americans say, infact, I love Pyongyang when I was there. Especially with the Korean girls there, the best girls in the world. The people have manners, and if you check the wealthy side of North Korea, it'll be even better than the US's even makes us look at them.

So, I encourage EVERYONE to visit North Korea.


I really want to go there

that would be so ironic

They want to form a new state called 'The Union of Russia and Belarus'. Like Russia would ever let that name happen.

It looks as though I'll be finishing my undergrad uni degree in the middle of next year, and won't be able to start my honours year until the start of 2009. Which leaves me with more than half a year of nothing much to do. My dad suggests working and earning back all the money I spent on uni fees since I started (and since then I'll have two bachelor degrees maybe I'll be able to), but I think this is a godsent.

So I wanna travel around. Going back to Germany for a few weeks is on the cards, but there's another place I've always wanted to go: North Korea.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/north-korea

Now, before you call me insane, I know there's guided tourist tours around the sites. I missed out on real communism as a tourist attraction back in the day (we were in East Germany, but I was too young to appreciate it) and I'm sure it'll be a great experience.

Somehow I can't convince anyone I know here of that fact though. Funny that.

So is anyone up for it? Does anyone have the time between June 2008 and Februrary 2009 to go for a few weeks holidays to North Korea (and maybe a bit in Japan if we're already in the area)? I imagine it would take some time to get the visa approved and stuff, so one can never start planning too early.

Sounds like fun.

If you go, don't bring a camera. You'll get arrested.

Oh, I was referring to the Russo-Japanese war of 1905.

They want to form a new state called 'The Union of Russia and Belarus'. Like Russia would ever let that name happen.
It did! :D
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_of_Russia_and_Belarus
As to the flags and parades, if you visit during one of the fomer USSR national celebrations, like for example the anniversary of the October Revolution, you'll see plenty of these. If you want to see the real treat with tanks and whatnot, you should visit in May when they celebrate their victory over fascism in 1945. It's the same old stuff only on smaller scale. And Luka isn't Soso no matter how he wishes to be like him.

It did! :D
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_of_Russia_and_Belarus
As to the flags and parades, if you visit during one of the fomer USSR national celebrations, like for example the anniversary of the October Revolution, you'll see plenty of these. If you want to see the real treat with tanks and whatnot, you should visit in May when they celebrate their victory over fascism in 1945. It's the same old stuff only on smaller scale. And Luka isn't Soso no matter how he wishes to be like him.

:O
I must visit!

is this a serious NS meetup,though?
That depends...if we can get a few people who'd actually want to do it, then I don't see why not.

I went to North Korea once before. It's not that bad as the American media says it is. They should stop filming in the ghetto and actually film in the places where theres a bunch of people and its part of the hotspots.

Pyongyang isn't so full of military stuff as most Americans say, infact, I love Pyongyang when I was there. Especially with the Korean girls there, the best girls in the world. The people have manners, and if you check the wealthy side of North Korea, it'll be even better than the US's even makes us look at them.

So, I encourage EVERYONE to visit North Korea.

But just the capital?

I'm sure one would get a pretty skewed view of the USA if they only visited Beverly Hills just the same.

Or you can go to the US capital, Washington, D.C. and see nice beautiful monuments and parks, fancy restaurants and expensive shops and be impressed, but then turn the corner and find a crack den in a run down apartment building. Of course we don't have political police to keep you from seeing the bad stuff here in the US...

But just the capital?

I'm sure one would get a pretty skewed view of the USA if they only visited Beverly Hills just the same.

Or you can go to the US capital, Washington, D.C. and see nice beautiful monuments and parks, fancy restaurants and expensive shops and be impressed, but then turn the corner and find a crack den in a run down apartment building. Of course we don't have political police to keep you from seeing the bad stuff here in the US...

I've visited the ghetto of North Korea. It's full of crimes. Someone tried to pickpocket me, but I had nothing in my pocket but a chain that connects to the belt strap. So that kid tried his best on me.

Traditional clothing for women is only when the camera is on. It shows how isolationism is keeping the Korean traditions from being Westernized. But they do get VERY Westernized, from where I was in. Sexy clothes, man I want to go back.

I hope you're not planning an around the world trip to North Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran and other terrorist-stan nations :p

If you want to visit a xenophobic society isolated from the rest of the world and venerates its Dear Leader that you can actually visit, you can always come to the United States.

But seriously, I don't know if it's possible for people to visit North Korea

how about a "holiday in cambodia"

someone had to say it.

i guess n/k could be interesting if you could just wander around.

if you go..best of luck and have fun.

I hope you're not planning an around the world trip to North Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran and other terrorist-stan nations :p

Cuba is a fairly popular tourist destination, and Iran is working on becoming one (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/07/travel_iran.html).

But seriously, I don't know if it's possible for people to visit North Korea

Err... already answered multiple times in this thread. Remember kids, readin is your friend. :p

how about a "holiday in cambodia"

someone had to say it.

i guess n/k could be interesting if you could just wander around.

if you go..best of luck and have fun.

Yep. And Cambodia is quite a nice tourist destination from what I hear - a bit like Vietnam was before it became more popular.

North Korea is a fairly safe place to visit, provided you do not have a South Korean stamp on your passport.

See http://axisofeviltour.com/nk-trip1.htm for a detailed (with lots of pictures) story about one American's visit.

It would be cool to see one of those goose stepping flag waving military parades.

Pyongyang has some good sites though, like this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Triumph_(Pyongyang)

I'll go with you NL :)

I have can't tell you how many times and ways i've blown that up in Mercenaries.

well if you wait a few years you might be able to get an all acess pass to north korea. You will have to join the millitary, but atleast you'll be seeing NK.

naw...doesn't have the same catchy ring to it as 'Holiday in Cambodia'.
best think of 'nother country for you song title.

oh, wait. You mean holiday for real?
still nope. Doesn't sound that interesting.
Tibet, maybe? Much more interesting and away from the prying eyes of Authority.
You can catch the overland train through from Beijing to Lhasa. Then spend time hiking around the foothills of the Himalayas (btw Himalayan foothills are still 3000+m). I can give you the contact details of the Tibetan guide I had when I went there last year. Real awesome bloke he was.

do they even let you in the DPRK? i would love to go but i'm not even sure if you could get past the border if you do you'll be constitently guarded and watched.
the best chance you have of getting in North Korea is through the active chinese border but i wouldn't know that much

i want to go to Cuba its the best example of communism to date.


i would have gone to the Soviet Union but i nwas born too late :(

do they even let you in the DPRK?

I am sorry to see that you are iliterate. :(

But if you cannot read the replies that have answered this question multiple times in this thread, how are you able to post?

It looks as though I'll be finishing my undergrad uni degree in the middle of next year, and won't be able to start my honours year until the start of 2009. Which leaves me with more than half a year of nothing much to do. My dad suggests working and earning back all the money I spent on uni fees since I started (and since then I'll have two bachelor degrees maybe I'll be able to), but I think this is a godsent.

So I wanna travel around. Going back to Germany for a few weeks is on the cards, but there's another place I've always wanted to go: North Korea.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/north-korea

Now, before you call me insane, I know there's guided tourist tours around the sites. I missed out on real communism as a tourist attraction back in the day (we were in East Germany, but I was too young to appreciate it) and I'm sure it'll be a great experience.

Somehow I can't convince anyone I know here of that fact though. Funny that.

So is anyone up for it? Does anyone have the time between June 2008 and Februrary 2009 to go for a few weeks holidays to North Korea (and maybe a bit in Japan if we're already in the area)? I imagine it would take some time to get the visa approved and stuff, so one can never start planning too early.
How much does it cost? I might do that, depending.

See http://axisofeviltour.com/nk-trip1.htm for a detailed (with lots of pictures) story about one American's visit.
Now that was a good read!

How much does it cost? I might do that, depending.
Hmm, good question.

http://www.koryogroup.com/tours/grouptours.htm
Looks relatively expensive.

1390 Euros, whats that $1500+ :/ Not cheap. But, it's one of those places that isn't really going to be the same for long. They call it the last state behind the iron curtain...

Tempting, but I don't see it happening. Man I'd love that though.

My housemate's brother spent a month there last year. It sounded... interesting. Worth a visit, I suspect.

But just the capital?

I'm sure one would get a pretty skewed view of the USA if they only visited Beverly Hills just the same.

Or you can go to the US capital, Washington, D.C. and see nice beautiful monuments and parks, fancy restaurants and expensive shops and be impressed, but then turn the corner and find a crack den in a run down apartment building. Of course we don't have political police to keep you from seeing the bad stuff here in the US...

No, I went to the ghettos also. Not as bad, but you'll see a couple hungry people laying on the ground. It's a strict dictatorial regime, and these guys don't contribute anything to North Korea as a whole, otherwise the government would of done something.

The Army is pretty impressive, they have some demostrations to tourists in North Korea, and don't think it's a small population. When I was there, there was a VERY big crowd of tourists. But I swear, they looked like Russians and Chinese... primarily.

It sounds like a cool idea, but I would check if visiting there could effect your residency status in Australia before you go. Governments can be weird about these things sometimes.