Things to Do in North Korea

From Pyongyang's monumental architecture to the Demilitarized Zone - what a visit looks like, and how to keep your own record of it, where it remains possible at all.

Travel guide - last updated September 2026

North Korea only permits entry through tightly controlled, government-approved guided tours - independent travel is not possible, itineraries are fixed in advance, and visitors are accompanied by state guides at all times. Entry has also been closed to most or all foreign tourists for extended periods in recent years, including a prolonged closure following the COVID-19 pandemic; many governments, including the United States, prohibit or strongly discourage their citizens from traveling there at all. Check current entry rules and your own government's restrictions carefully before considering any visit.

Top attractions

The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.

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Pyongyang Monuments

Kim Il Sung Square, the Juche Tower and the Mansudae Grand Monument are among the fixed stops on nearly every organized tour of the capital, each built at a monumental scale.

📍 Pyongyang

🚉 All travel is on a state-guided tour: visitors move by tour coach with two guides, and the Pyongyang Metro - the deepest in the world - is included as a short scripted ride between showcase stations.

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Demilitarized Zone (North side)

The North Korean side of the DMZ can be visited on an organized tour, offering a mirror perspective to the more commonly visited South Korean side.

📍 Panmunjom, DMZ

🚉 The DMZ at Panmunjom is visited on a day trip from Pyongyang, about three hours each way on the reunification highway, always as part of the guided itinerary.

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Mount Kumgang / Mount Paektu

Scenic mountain regions sometimes included on longer organized itineraries when accessible, tied closely to Korean cultural and, in state messaging, revolutionary significance.

📍 Kangwon & Ryanggang Provinces

🚉 Both are reached on internal charter flights or long coach transfers arranged by the tour operator - Paektu, on the Chinese border, is normally a summer-only add-on flown from Pyongyang.

Mark North Korea, get the stamp

🇰🇵NORTH KOREAVISITED

🇰🇵NORTH KOREALIVED

🇰🇵NORTH KOREAWISHLIST

In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.

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Planning questions

How many days do you need in North Korea?

Organized tours, when operating, are typically fixed at 4-10 days with no ability to extend or alter the itinerary independently.

What's the best time to visit North Korea?

This depends entirely on whether and when the country is open to foreign tourists at all, which has varied significantly in recent years - check current status with a specialized tour operator before planning around any season.

Is North Korea good for a first-time visit?

Entry is only possible through a small number of licensed tour operators running fixed, guided itineraries - independent travel is not an option, and many governments prohibit or strongly discourage their citizens from going at all. Check your own government's restrictions first.

Do I need a visa to visit North Korea?

All visitors need a visa, arranged entirely through a licensed tour operator as part of a fixed group itinerary - there is no independent visa application process. Some nationalities, including US citizens, currently face separate government restrictions on travel there. Check official government guidance for your nationality: mfa.gov.kp.

What are some things to do in North Korea on a tight budget?

Not applicable - all travel goes through a fixed-price, government-approved tour package with no independent or budget travel options available.

Can I rent a car in North Korea, and what licence do I need?

No. Independent travel does not exist in the DPRK: visitors enter on a state-approved tour, are accompanied by government guides at all times, and travel in the operator's vehicles. There is no car rental, no self-drive, and no ability to move around unaccompanied. Tourism has also been closed or heavily restricted for extended periods since 2020, so check whether entry is possible at all before planning. Your own government's travel advice is the first thing to read, as several advise against all travel.