Essential North Korea Travel Tips: What to Know Before Visiting Pyongyang & Beyond

Visiting North Korea is a rare privilege, but comes with strict guidelines you must follow. Here’s what every traveler should know before embarking on this unique journey.

[1] Prepare for thorough inspections. Authorities will examine your luggage, including electronic devices like iPads, searching for banned South Korean or American media. Clothing with English or South Korean text is also prohibited, as are GPS-enabled devices. To avoid complications, proactively remove any restricted content before your trip.

[2] Respect for leadership is non-negotiable. Portraits of past and present leaders adorn streets and buildings across the country. When encountering these images, expect to bow three times as a sign of reverence. If photographing these portraits, ensure you capture them in full—cropped or partial shots will prompt your guide to demand deletion.

[3] Photography comes with strict rules. While guides may encourage pictures of impressive landmarks—gleaming skyscrapers, manicured parks, and spotless avenues—any imagery of construction sites or dilapidated areas is strictly forbidden. These restrictions aim to maintain the country’s pristine image. Don’t attempt covert photography; all cameras undergo inspection upon departure.

[4] Embrace digital detox. North Korea offers no internet access, and international calls require special approval—a costly process with monitored conversations. If constant connectivity is essential for you, reconsider this destination. Instead, view this as an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in an unfiltered cultural experience unlike any other.

[Bonus Tip] Engage with your guides—they’re your window into understanding local customs. Ask thoughtful questions (within appropriate boundaries) to gain unique insights during your extraordinary journey.