North Korea

Well in an act of drunken madness I've just booked a 3 day trip to North Korea leaving on FRIDAY THE 13TH of June.

Was just wondering if any of my fellow eastern compadres have visited and can offer any advice/tips/things to see?

I'm excited but a little nervous, their are so many restrictions, one example being camera lense sizes, my 55-200mm is apparently completely unacceptaple, nor can I take pictures of skylines, cities, performers or people.

 

it begs the question; what can you take a photo of?!

Never been, met a red cross worker who spent a lot of time there a few years ago. I asked him what it was really like over there, he replied:

It's going to get a lot worse before it gets any better.

Make of it what you will. I'm genuinely surprised people can even go there now? Wasn't it only a few years ago that south/north Korea agreed to let relatives, divided by the seperation of the 2 countries, see each other again?

Whatever you do; don't slip the subject of nuclear armament into conversations with the local generals.

Hohoho...

 

Make sure to take lots of secret pictures of the dank and misery.

I'll just sit here being jealous as I'm an American and I don't stand much of a chance of going there.

 

If you are "going through the looking glass" this might help some.

http://wikitravel.org/en/North_Korea

 

I'm jealous. I've seen the package tours before but they're usually 5-10 days and cost $4,000+....out of my budget.

 

Just be mindful of what you say and bring. The U.S. State Department warns that hotel rooms and phones may be bugged, bags may be searched, and cellphones confiscated.

 

dude... that's crazy... just be safe.

 

Ok here's the full trip details, I would post a link but the site is all integrated.

I'm travelling with 90 other people which puts my mind more at ease, 10 of which include my friends and girlfriend.

Check out the details towards the bottom which outline the rules and regulations, pretty intense stuff.


*3rd North Korea Trip in 2008


1.Destination: Geumgangsan Mountain in North Korea


2.When: Friday 13 June - Sunday 15 June

2.Price:370,000won

3.Includes: check the payment detail below

4.What to bring: Passport, camera, toiletries, suitable shoes, breakfast for
Saturday morning etc

5.Where to stay: Hotel Oegeumgang(a first-rate hotel)

13 Seats left


*There is no sign up button on this page. if you wish to join, e-mail us at
webmaster@adventurekorea.com for seat and make a trip payment within
2 days. If payment is not received within 48hours, reservation will be cancelled.


Description

There will be a very special trip to Geumgangsan Diamond mountain In North Korea.
It is 3 day trip and will take place from Friday, 13 June to Sunday, 15 June 2008.

Geumgangsan Mountain, Where every South Korean wants to visit at least once
In their life, shoot up near the east coast, towering above North Korea’s side of the Demilitarized Zone, the symbol of ideological demarcation. Including the tallest Birobong Peak(1,638m). they stretch 40kilometers east and west and 60kilometers South and north. Almost 12,000 rugged pinnacles create the miracles of this magnificent sub-range and is considered the most beautiful place on the Korean peninsula.

On November 18, 1998, the Geumgangsan Diamond Mountains Tour was opened to South Koreans for the first time in the fifty years since the South-North demarcation was incised across the nation’s waistline at the 38th Parallel.
It soon became a torch shedding hopeful light on national reconciliation as well as the
Most-desired destination for South Koreans.

The mountains are very beautiful. People usually ascend in apprehension but descend dazzled, lacking for words to depict the surreal land of fairies, immortal hermits, dragons and phoenixes.

In the Geumgangsan Hot spa, bathers can refresh themselves in the warm, mineral-rich water, Pyeongyang Moranbong Circus also presents its world-acclaimed feats, at Geumgangsan Culture Hall.

You’ll also have a chance to witness [FONT=바탕]North Korean[FONT=바탕]citizens' daily lives.
[/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=바탕]Seats fill up quickly, so please sign up now[FONT=바탕]to avoid disappointment.[/FONT]

Schedule

[/FONT]
1st day(Friday 13 June 2008)
11:30pm: Meet at Hongik Univ. station( Subline 2,Exit 1)

11:50pm Pick up point at Express bus terminal(Subway Line 3 or 7, Exit 8) in front of Shinsegae dept store

2nd day(Saturday 14 June)
05:40am Arrive at Hyundai Asan gathering zone in Goseong, South Korea.
07:00am South Korea Immigration Office.
07:20am: Head to North Korea(We will pass through the DMZ and you are not allowed
to take a picture at this time)
08:00am Arrive at North Korea Immigration Office.
08:40am Arrive at Onjunggak, North Korea
09:00am Hike to the Guryoung Waterfall course( 4 Hours)


Singyesa Temple Site - Mongnangwan - Yangjidae Cliff - Samnoksu Mineral Water -
Geumgangmun Stone Gate - Ongnyudong Valley - Yeonjudam Pools - Bibong Falls -
Guryong Falls and Sangpaldam Pools.

(This course follows the flow of the valley, through breathtaking rock formations and pools of water so clear that it’s almost unbelievable. This course is a pleasure to hike. The walkways are fairly easy to maneuver and there are guides available to help along the way. Many women enjoy taking this leisurely and beautiful course. Most people average between 4-5 hours for the course, although those more experienced hikers may only require 1-2 hours. It is recommended to take your time and enjoy the marvelous views while hiking.)

13:30pm Check into our hotel(Oegeumgang hotel)
13:40pm Have lunch at Onjunggak(10$)
14:30pm- 16:15pm Free time
You can use hot spa(12$) or shopping.
You are allowed to walk around the area(Including hotel geumgansan where you can
get a picture of their leader's painting and take free shuttle bus to the
beach as well.

16:30pm – 18:00pm Acrobatic Performance(Pyeongyang Moranbong circus)
18:10pm Have dinner(10$)
19:10pm Let’s have a bathe in Geumgangsan Hot spa(12$) or Free time

3rd day(Sunday 15 June)
7:00am: Get up and breakfast at Hotel(Included)
08:20am:Hike to the Manmulsang course or Haegeumgang/Samilpo lake course
*Manmulsang course
Gwaneum Falls - Yukhwaam Snowflake Rock ? Mansangjeong (parking lot) -
Samseonam Rock - Gwimyeonam Rock - Jeolbuam Rock -
Ansimdae Cliff - Cheonseondae & Mangyangdae Cliff
(Experience the Diamond Mountains most thrilling course at Manmulangsang. There are many sharp slopes accompanied by many stairs, but the views are unforgettable. A bus can be taken to see Yukhwaam Rock.)

*Haegeumgang/Samilpo lake course
The views at Samilpo Lake are composed of roughly 36 peaks surrounded by lakes. The view of the Haegeumgang Seashore area is said to possess female qualities, while the mountain areas are more masculine in their picturesque views. Approximately 1 hour is spent at each Samilpo and Haegeumgang. The Samilpo course allows visitors to leisurely stroll around the lake area.

12:10pm: Have lunch(10$)
13:00pm – 15:00pm Free time
You can go shopping and use Geumgangsan hot spa

16:00pm North Korea Immigration Office
16:30pm Head to the South Korea and pass through the DMZ
16:50pm South Korea Immigration Office
17:10pm Depart for Seoul
22:00pm –23:00pm Arrive back in Seoul

Payment details
1. The trip will cost 370,000won, including
A. Accommodation(Hotel) and breakfast at hotel(Sunday)
B. Entrance and departure immigration fees
C. Mountain Course entrance fees and tour guide fees
D. Travelers insurance
E. Transportation( A chartered bus)
F. English speaking guides
G. Lunch,Dinner and Hot spring fees are not included

2. There will be 2 people in each room at Hotel.

3. We will be taking a maximum of 90 people this time. Please book early as the places will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. You must book your place by May 31 at the very latest.

4. You must pay the full amount in order to reserve your place. And the cancellation Policy is as follows;

15 days before the trip: you will get full refund
15days – 3days before the trip: 50% refund(72hours from the departure time)
2days before the trip: 0% refund(48hours or less from the departure time)

5. Send payment to Woori Bank account no: 668-065778-02-101. under the name of Park Seok Jin

6. Please send us an e-mailat webmaster@adventurekorea.com after you have sent the money with Registration Documents as follows;
A.Full name, Address(Both Korea and home country)and phone number,
pick-up site(11:30pm: Meet at Hongik Univ. station( Subline 2,Exit 1) or
11:50pm Pick up point at Express bus terminal(Subway Line 3 or 7, Exit 8)
B.Occupation,workplace name and position

C.Copy of passport and recent face photo.
-You can take pictures them with digital camera and face photo
should be taken against white or black background without scenery

-A passport photo must be taken clearly so that we can see the letters

7.If you want to See the North Korean Acrobatic show, let us know in
advance as we have to book the seat before the trip and this will cost 30
$ extra-you can pay it on the trip in dollars


8. If you have any more inquiries, feel free to call us at 018-242-5536 anytime!

[FONT=바탕]How to Pay for Trips

1.You can use ATM machines to wire payments directly from your bank account to Adventure Korea’s account, which is Woori Bank(우리은행) 668-065778-02-101 under the name of Park Seokjin(박 석 진).

2.Otherwise, you can visit any bank in Korea and have a teller wire the funds on your behalf. Be sure to have my phone number handy (018 242 5536) if you encounter any problems.


9. Banned items list and other regulations
① Mobile phones and other communications devices are not permitted.
Cameras with telephoto lenses of more than160mm and binoculars with
zooming capabilities of 10 times or more are banned. All electronic
equipment must be checked at the Guemgang Condo before departing for
North Korea. If it is not good enough to bring into the North, you'll have to leave in our bus and it will be kept safe until return from the tour. This includes PDAs,notebook computers, calculators & CDP
② Newspapers and magazines from South Korea aren’t permitted. You are
allowed to bring personal reading material but please take the subject
matter into consideration.
③ You must ALWAYS wear your ID (you will get this before you arrive in NK)
around your neck. You will be fined if it lost or damaged.
④ You Must carry your passport and ID with you at all times.
⑤ You are not permitted to bring alcohol, but bring some foods into North Korea.
There are some shops where you can buy alcohol and foods in North Korea as well.
⑥ Washing hands and/or feet is not allowed in the fresh water springs (fine is $15).
Also, please be aware of the NO SMOKING areas and do not leave cigarette butts on ground.
⑦ Do not take any natural objects(such as rocks and sea shells)
⑧ Only US dollars and credit cards are accepted(You can use KRW at some places).
⑨ There are many large rocks with engraving done by the government. Do not touch
or lean on these rocks.
⑩ You may speak with the North Korean people that you meet, but you may not
take random pictures of them, including pictures from inside the bus. In addition,
please be careful of the conversation topics when speaking with North Koreans.
DO NOT talk about politics, diplomatic relations, economics and other such sensitive issues.

[Touring TIPS][/FONT]
1. For those that are experiencing some body aches after hiking all day long, it would be a good idea to spend some extra time at the Geumgangsan Hot Springs.
2. Bring along an extra water bottle when you go hiking. There are several points along the hiking courses where you can collect some mineral water. It is said that one cup will make you look 10 years younger. It would also be advisable to bring some snacks along, as there is no place to purchase food along the way.
3. If you wish to sample some tasty northern-style cuisine at Geumgangwon restaurant; try to make your reservation for the first night. Most people don’t make their reservations for the first night, thus giving those first-night diners a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.
4. It is best to exchange money before departing for North Korea. (ONLY US dollars are used). However there is a place where you can exchange money to Dollars in North Korea.
5. Picture taking is not permitted during the acrobatic performance. However, once the performance is over, spectators are allowed to take pictures as the performance come out for a round of applause.
Postcard and other pictures of the performance can be purchased at Hotel Haegeumgang
6. Taking pictures of North Korean people is not allowed. That being said, you can try
asking politely to take your picture with a North Korean person. The waitresses in the
restaurants are rather receptive to the idea.

For more information, Click below;
1. Introduction of Geumgangsan Diamond Mountain
http://www.adventurekorea.com/board/board.asp?id=
koreahotspots&rowno=15

2. Geumgangsan Tour Course
http://www.adventurekorea.com/board/board.asp?id=koreahotspots&category=0&pageno=1&Sn=False&Ss=
True&Sc=False&keyword=&rowno=14

3. Optional Facilities(Hotel,Hot spa, Restaurants etc)
http://www.adventurekorea.com/board/board.asp?id=koreahotspots&category=0&pageno=1&Sn=False&Ss=
True&Sc=False&keyword=&rowno=16


Hope to see you there

Adventure Korea Team

 

i really want to see a North Korean acrobatic show...

 

I like how it's set for Friday 13th

 

Great date for anything! I'm getting married on Friday 13th!

I wish I was going to see North Korea, all the places i am interested in seeing, my partner has no interest in at all!

 

Presumably this is one of the new tours for South Koreans? Previously, if you were an RoK or US citizen, you weren't allowed at all, but I think the rules have been relaxed recently. Passing through the DMZ must be a new thing, you usually have to go via the Chinese border. I suspect this will be even more regulated than an old-style trip.

You can take photos, but just be mindful to ask permission for every single one, else you might have your memory card taken off you and you lose the lot. Also, avoid politics like the plague and stay respectful of their political views even when they seem like madness. They won't try to convert you (Juche is for ethnic Koreans only), so don't try and convert them.

 

The whole taking-the-passport-thing is a red flag right there, means they can keep you in the country without officially detaining you, until they decide to let you leave. Be careful, whatever you do.

 

Have fun getting shot!

 

Wow, you've got balls. Going there must be challenging.

 

Wow indeed id never go there, scary as hell to me. Then again i have lived in jamaica so i douby korea can be as bad as that :lol:

 

One of my old bosses (American) went via South Korea about 5 years ago.