Kumgangsan

mountain range

Wonsan

port city and naval base located in Kangwŏn Province, North Korea

Sinuiju

city in North Korea

Rason

North Korean city and ice-free port in the East Sea

Nampho

city and seaport in South Pyongan Province, North Korea

Kaesong

city in North Korea

Kaechon

(개천시)

Hamhung

city in North Korea

Chongjin

city

Pyongyang

capital of North Korea

Baekdu Mountains

(백두산) — the tallest mountain in Korea and the Kim dynasty's mythical birthplace

Ryugyong Hotel

This 105-storey building dominates the Pyongyang skyline with its 330 m height. Construction started in 1987, but came to a halt in 1992 during the country's economic crisis in the wake of the fall of the Soviet Union. Construction by Egypt's Orascom Group resumed again in April 2008. It was scheduled for a partial opening in the summer of 2013, although recent information from a local guide was that it will open in "three to five years".

Panmunjeom

Place in North Hwanghae, North Korea

Mount Kumgang

mountain range

Juche Tower

A 170 m tall monument is dedicated to the Juche philosophy of Kim Il Sung. Don't miss the trip to the top, which costs €5 and offers a great view of the city (though, if you're staying at the Yanggakdo, the view from a top floor is similar and free).

Rungrado 1st of May Stadium

The largest stadium in the world, with a total capacity of 114,000. The site occupies an area of 20.7 hectares (51 acres).

Chollima Statue

At the top of Mansu Hill is a statue of a man riding Chollima, a winged horse, representing the economic development of Korea.

Kumsusan Palace of the Sun

Contains the bodies of President Kim Il-sung, and his son Kim Jong-il, designated as eternal leaders.

Kaesong Industrial Region

Not usually on tourist itineraries, the Kaesong Industrial Area is the only example of inter-Korean cooperation. South Korean companies operate factories with North Korean workers. There are also South Korean convenience stores and banks. Due to the politically sensitive nature of this project, visiting is usually limited to South Korean business people who are investing.

Kalma Airport

airport

Arch of Triumph (Pyongyang)

The arch was designed to commemorate Korean resistance to Japan between 1925 and 1945 and eventual liberation from Japanese rule. The arch is modeled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. At 60 m high and 50 m wide it is the biggest victory arch in the world.

Arch of Reunification

The Arch of Reunification is a 62 metre concrete arch which consists of two women in traditional dress, together holding the map of the reunified Korean Peninsula. It was opened in 2001 as a monument to symbolize possible future reunification of the two Koreas.

Kim Il-sung Square

Pyongyang's main square is directly opposite the Juche Tower on west bank of the Taedong River and is a common gathering place for military parades, dances and rallies. Attractions surrounding the square include the Grand People's Study House.

Mansu Hill Grand Monument

20 m high bronze statue of Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il. During the centennial celebration of Kim Il-Sung's birthday, a statue of Kim Jong-Il was added. This colossal display will most likely be the first thing you visit. Be aware that the locals expect visitors to this place to show respect to the monument. Your tour group will most likely lay flowers on the statue pedestal which are also available on-site for €3-10. Formal dress is expected, though not strictly required.

Tomb of King Wanggon

King Wanggon was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty and died in 943. The original tomb was badly damaged by the end of the Japanese occupation, and most of the site today is apparently recently reconstructed.

Bridge of No Return

After the Korean war, some prisoners of war were given the choice to cross over the bridge or to stay on the side of their captors, hence the name. On 18 Aug 1976, a US attempt to cut down a poplar tree obstructing visibility of the bridge led to a battle with North Korean forces that left Capt. Arthur Bonifas and Lt. Mark Barrett dead in what was later known as the "Axe Murder Incident". The bridge is now closed and a new bridge to the north is used instead. Usually visited from the South only.

Arirang Mass Games

mass gymnastics and artistic festival

Kaesong Chomsongdae

North Korea Peace Museum

The building where the armistice agreement was signed. The actual documents are kept here, guarded over by a tattered, faded UN flag and a miraculously well-preserved DPRK flag. The axe of "Axe Murder Incident" fame is also stored here. Accessible from the North only.

Tomb of King Kongmin

On a hill 13 km outside Kaesong are the tombs of King Kongmin and his queen; from the tombs there is a nice view of the surrounding scenery. This is a particularly good tomb to visit owing to it being in close to its original state with little reconstruction. The coffin of Kongmin can be seen nearby in the Koryo Museum in Kaesong.

Songam Cavern

Major North Korean tourist destination, with 17 caves to explore.

Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery

cemetery

Third Tunnel of Aggression

Kaeson Youth Park

This small amusement park has a handful of new rides. You and your guides can't just wander around as you'll need a guide from the park to take you to each ride, but you will be put at the front of the queue for each one. The guide will keep track of the rides you go on and then you pay according to how many rides you went on at the end of your visit.

Munsu Water Park

Opened in October 2013, this is a large water park complex with lots of water slides. Open to foreigners on Saturdays.

Mangyongdae

human settlement

Hamhung Grand Theatre

Mangyongdae Children's Palace

Nearly every city has its own Children's Palace, with Pyongyang having the largest. After classes in the morning, selected (gifted) students spend the afternoon at the palatial Children's Palace to practice their art or other special skills. Children choose their area of specialisation in cooperation with teachers once they're old enough to attend (around 11) and continue with that skill every day until they graduate or they complete the area of study. Areas include: ballet, rhythmic dance, gymnastics, computer programming, singing, musical instruments, chess, volleyball, basketball, embroidery and calligraphy.