North Korea Trip From Dandong – Day 2
In the morning, we enjoyed a simple breakfast downstairs at the hotel before getting on the tour bus.
1st Stop: Mansudae Grand Monument
This was our first stop of the day. When we arrived, we found that North Korea was quite bustling. After checking around, we learned it was because of an upcoming celebration, which had attracted various guests. Many people dressed in traditional Korean attire were offering flowers in front of the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. We simply bowed to the statues, took some photos, and left.
2nd Stop: Mangyongdae – Kim Il-sung’s Birthplace
Our second stop was Mangyongdae, which means “a place where you can see ten thousand views.” This is also Kim Il-sung’s birthplace, showcasing his childhood life. His family had been tomb keepers for generations, indicating that they weren’t wealthy. Outside the birthplace, there is a well where many visitors drink a sip of water, but we heard it could give you diarrhea, so we didn’t try it.
3rd Stop: Longyue Mountain and Fayun Temple
Originally, we planned to visit Myohyang Mountain, but the road to the mountain was washed out, so we had to go to the closer Longyue Mountain. There is a small Fayun Temple here, which is a beautiful and quiet place for cultivation.
4th Stop: International Friendship Exhibition
This hall displays gifts given to Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un from various countries. Photography is not allowed, and we had to wear shoe covers. However, the air conditioning inside made us feel more comfortable after the intense heat outside. After the exhibition, a Chinese man commented that the exhibits inside weren’t very valuable.
We had a light lunch in the afternoon. After the meal, our tour guide, Ma Yangyang gave me my Taiwan Compatriot Permit, renewed by the Chinese Embassy in North Korea. I was worried about how to return to China after the trip, but I could now rest easy.
5th Stop: Qingshanli Cooperative Farm
After lunch, we visited the Qingshanli Cooperative Farm to understand the lives of the North Korean people. The guide arranged for us to visit a demo family. Although this family was specially arranged, it was still quite interesting to see the living conditions and various facilities of North Korean people up close. When we were about to leave, we saw a pair of super cute North Korean twin babies!!
6th Stop: Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia Flower Exhibition
Next, we visited a pavilion to see the flower exhibition, showcasing two specially cultivated flowers named Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia. Although the flowers were beautiful, we found the North Korean women and their traditional costumes even more attractive, so we ended up just watching the women. After the exhibition, we bought ice cream nearby, which was refreshing in the hot summer.
7th Stop: The Pyongyang Children’s Palace
We watched a performance at the Pyongyang Children’s Palace, where talented children from various schools are selected for training and performances. The performance was spectacular, and the students were very slender and agile.
8th Stop: Kim Il-sung Square
The last stop was Kim Il-sung Square. A group of North Koreans was rehearsing for a military parade to be held in two days. The guide wouldn’t let us get close to take photos, so we could only watch from a distance.
In the evening, we enjoyed a sumptuous hotpot, which was our first meaty meal in North Korea, and it was truly satisfying 🥰
After dinner, I heard that some tour members disguised themselves as North Koreans and sneaked out of the hotel, which was quite bold and exciting. Meanwhile, Xiang Ying and I called our families from the hotel lobby. The front desk told us it cost 19 RMB per minute (about $3.00 USD). My dad quickly hung up after learning about the high cost; truly a thrifty father. Xiang Ying’s mom, worried about her, talked for a full three minutes.
How to travel to North Korea?
Independent travel in North Korea is not allowed—I’d have to take a tour or a private tour. Joining a North Korea tour from outside of China tends to be expensive, usually around $2,000 USD. After further research, I opted for a different approach: flying to Beijing first, spending a few days there, and then taking a train to Dandong, where I could join a tour from there. While this option isn’t much cheaper, it gave me the opportunity to explore Beijing as well. For more detail➜Traveling in North Korea Guide: How to Join a North Korea Tour in China?
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