Things to do & places to visit in Pyongyang, North Korea

Pyongyang #1 destination in North Korea 2023. The average rating score is 4.24 based on 1.899 traveler reviews, of 30 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Pyongyang, current date and time: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 23:47.

Pyongyang Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

74°F - 50°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Mildly cool with a gentle breeze

Feels like

24%

Chance of rain

136.0 millimeters

Amount

13.0 mph

Wind speed

60%

Humidity

14.3

Daylight length

5:25 AM

Sunrise

7:41 PM

Sunset

56%

Cloud cover

Sweater

What to wear

Top things to do (19)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Tanjun Mausoleum (12 reviews)
- The ultimate outing
Historic Sites

It is impossible to imagine how much the first 2 leaders were revered until you visit the Mausoleum. It is a place of endless decoration and expense, together with solemn ceremonies and devotion. Dress well and do not bring any valuables or cameras into the Mausoleum as they are prohibited. . Be prepared for the unexpected! See more..
5.0 Tanjun Mausoleum (12 reviews)
- The ultimate outing
Historic Sites

It is impossible to imagine how much the first 2 leaders were revered until you visit the Mausoleum. It is a place of endless decoration and expense, together with solemn ceremonies and devotion. Dress well and do not bring any valuables or cameras into the Mausoleum as they are prohibited. . Be prepared for the unexpected! See more..
4.5 Tower of the Juche Idea (310 reviews)
- Incredible, colourful views
Monuments & Statues

We were very lucky to get up there on a clear and sunny day. It’s one of the most symbolic attractions in Pyongyang and the view was pretty spectacular. It’s very small when you get up there and you have to go up and down in groups of about 8 in the 1 lift. Its about the only thing you have to queue for in the DPRK but it’s definitely worth the wait. The staff were very sweet, too. Before you go in, you’ll see hundreds of plaques sent from all over the world by fellow Juche enthusiasts/followers. See more..
4.5 Pyongyang Metro (209 reviews)
- Really cool
Spent 1-2 hours Public Transportation Systems

Very pretty. Was cool riding the Metro with regular people. It makes you realise that all the silly stories about the public putting on a show for tourists is just rubbish. They are definitely just regular people going about their business in groups, couples and singles. They tend not to make eye contact but I think it’s more that they are a little intimidated by big groups of tourists, than anything else. See more..
4.5 Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (173 reviews)
- Joseph Goebbels would be impressed!
Military Museums

A stunning propaganda piece - it's the best re writing of history I have ever seen ( even better than the Egyptian Army war museum and the narratives of how they won the Six day war). A must visit for all "spin doctors"! See more..
4.5 Mansudae Grand Monument (106 reviews)
- Grand Monument
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

Taking flowers to present was seen as very respectful. The whole place is incredible to see as a monument and observing the people showing respect. We managed to get an amazing pic where the military were leaving to the right and a wedding procession were arriving to our left. Incredible experience. Ensure you wear smart clothes here. See more..
4.5 Geumsusan Memorial Palace (87 reviews)
- The MUST visit place in Pyongyang
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The palace us amazing and more than expected as everyone mentioned. You get to see the bodies of Kim il-sung (DPRK founder) and Kim Jong il (the president till 2011) which will amaze you! You will also go around this huge palace to see their belongings from Flag pins to Train Coaches. Make sure you dress properly. No jeans, shorts, or T-shirts allowed inside for both genders. Men: it is better wear suits. Women: Suits or dresses should be enough, make sure the shoulders are covered and the dress length is below knees. ENJOY! See more..
4.5 The State Circus (54 reviews)
- Good fun and thankfully no animals
Theaters

I was reluctant to visit the circus as I imagined they would use animals in the show. After checking with the guides, they confirmed that although there are sometimes animals, there would be none that day. The acrobats were really impressive! World class acts and some really funny ones too. Half of our tour opted out of this - I’m glad I changed my mind last-minute! No photos once the show starts. Was sad to see so many tourists ignoring this one polite request from staff. Sometimes over and over, after being asked politely to put their camera away. Just take a photo at the start and just enjoy the show. See more..
4.5 Kim Il Sung Stadium (48 reviews)
- World's largest stage for the largest games
Arenas & Stadiums

You will come here for the Mass Games, and the stadium will impress - it's a huge construction, but tastefully designed and nicely finished. See more..
4.5 Rungrado May Day Stadium (20 reviews)
- Main reason to visit North Korea - The Mass Games
Arenas & Stadiums

The mural at the back is made up of 20,000 people. Wow. Tickets arranged by our tour group - various prices - I think we paid US$80. Binoculars provided for tourists. See more..
4.5 Kaeson Youth Park (7 reviews)
- unexpectedly the most modernized place in DPRK
Amusement & Theme Parks

We went there as part of our guided tour as the last thing to do on a Saturday night. The part was already empty, they must have kept it open for us and demanded between 3$ and 5$ per attraction that you wanted to go on. The entrance fee was covered by the tour organizer. The good news are that all the fares came in from Italy and were made in 2010, so all the rides appeared safe and also nothing happened to us. We all had a great time. It only left us wonderig, if normal citizens also got to enjoy the place regularly as the rest of the city suffers from electricity shortages on a regular basis... See more..
4.5 Mansu Hill Grand Monument (6 reviews)
- Larger than you might think
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

The statues are huge and they even, get to wear different clothes according to the season. Our guide was able to tell us some really interesting information about how the statues were financed. See more..
4.5 Tomb of King Tongmyong (2 reviews)
- North Korea Visit 2018
Cemeteries

Tomb of King Tongmyong was a great trip to enhance your knowledge about the history of the DPR Korea. We had a pleasant sunshine afternoon when we visit and enjoyed the peaceful forest park walk , where the tomb is located. See more..
4.5 Revolutionary Opera (2 reviews)
- Flower Girl
Operas

Saw a performance of the above revolutionary opera in September. We were very lucky to have been in Pyongyang at the right time to catch it. The scenery is beautiful as well as the music and singing. It was the first revolutionary opera written so the story, which is much like what Thomas Hardy would write, is very tragic until the last 15 minutes. One has to have the guide give a synopsis of the story to fully understand it. All in all, a rare experience. See more..
4.5 Tower of the Juche Idea (310 reviews)
- Incredible, colourful views
Monuments & Statues

We were very lucky to get up there on a clear and sunny day. It’s one of the most symbolic attractions in Pyongyang and the view was pretty spectacular. It’s very small when you get up there and you have to go up and down in groups of about 8 in the 1 lift. Its about the only thing you have to queue for in the DPRK but it’s definitely worth the wait. The staff were very sweet, too. Before you go in, you’ll see hundreds of plaques sent from all over the world by fellow Juche enthusiasts/followers. See more..
4.5 Pyongyang Metro (209 reviews)
- Really cool
Spent 1-2 hours Public Transportation Systems

Very pretty. Was cool riding the Metro with regular people. It makes you realise that all the silly stories about the public putting on a show for tourists is just rubbish. They are definitely just regular people going about their business in groups, couples and singles. They tend not to make eye contact but I think it’s more that they are a little intimidated by big groups of tourists, than anything else. See more..
4.5 Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (173 reviews)
- Joseph Goebbels would be impressed!
Military Museums

A stunning propaganda piece - it's the best re writing of history I have ever seen ( even better than the Egyptian Army war museum and the narratives of how they won the Six day war). A must visit for all "spin doctors"! See more..
4.5 Mansudae Grand Monument (106 reviews)
- Grand Monument
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

Taking flowers to present was seen as very respectful. The whole place is incredible to see as a monument and observing the people showing respect. We managed to get an amazing pic where the military were leaving to the right and a wedding procession were arriving to our left. Incredible experience. Ensure you wear smart clothes here. See more..
4.5 Geumsusan Memorial Palace (87 reviews)
- The MUST visit place in Pyongyang
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The palace us amazing and more than expected as everyone mentioned. You get to see the bodies of Kim il-sung (DPRK founder) and Kim Jong il (the president till 2011) which will amaze you! You will also go around this huge palace to see their belongings from Flag pins to Train Coaches. Make sure you dress properly. No jeans, shorts, or T-shirts allowed inside for both genders. Men: it is better wear suits. Women: Suits or dresses should be enough, make sure the shoulders are covered and the dress length is below knees. ENJOY! See more..
4.5 The State Circus (54 reviews)
- Good fun and thankfully no animals
Theaters

I was reluctant to visit the circus as I imagined they would use animals in the show. After checking with the guides, they confirmed that although there are sometimes animals, there would be none that day. The acrobats were really impressive! World class acts and some really funny ones too. Half of our tour opted out of this - I’m glad I changed my mind last-minute! No photos once the show starts. Was sad to see so many tourists ignoring this one polite request from staff. Sometimes over and over, after being asked politely to put their camera away. Just take a photo at the start and just enjoy the show. See more..
4.5 Kim Il Sung Stadium (48 reviews)
- World's largest stage for the largest games
Arenas & Stadiums

You will come here for the Mass Games, and the stadium will impress - it's a huge construction, but tastefully designed and nicely finished. See more..
4.5 Rungrado May Day Stadium (20 reviews)
- Main reason to visit North Korea - The Mass Games
Arenas & Stadiums

The mural at the back is made up of 20,000 people. Wow. Tickets arranged by our tour group - various prices - I think we paid US$80. Binoculars provided for tourists. See more..
4.0 Kim Il-sung Square (159 reviews)
- The famous square
Points of Interest & Landmarks

You’ll see this famous square in any DPRK propaganda footage, complete with thousands of soldiers goose-stepping past the Dear Leader in flawless synchronisation. I wasn’t expecting to see all of the markings permanently painted on the floor - I suppose I had never thought about how they get such a perfect formation. Definitely a must as part of your tour. We stopped past here whilst on a walk to a ‘foreigners bookshop’ in Pyongyang. See more..
4.0 Triumphal Arch (154 reviews)
- Grand structure on the Triumph Return Square
Monuments & Statues

The Arch of Triumph is situated at the foot of Moran Hill and was built in 1982 to commemorate the Korean resistance to Japan from 1925 to 1945. After the ride up on the lift there was a short video about the history of Arch of Triumph before a short walk up the stairs to the top. From the top there was an excellent view of the surrounding area, it is a very grand structure and one of the great sights of Pyongyang. See more..
4.0 Arch of Reunification (123 reviews)
- on teh road to seoul
Monuments & Statues

This Arch is on the Road going to DMZ - Pamunjab and to Seoul. Seoul is only 70 km from DMZ. North Korea is Dreaming from an unification with 3 maint points: 1.) no other country will dirsturb. 2.) freedom 3. one government for both countries. but finbally no part of korea will change his system and gvernment - so its just a dream. its a parking lot there to make pictures. See more..
4.0 Monument to the Korean Workers Party (101 reviews)
- Three hands raised with a hammer, sickle and brush
Architectural Buildings • Monuments & Statues

Along with the traditional Communist hammer and sickle there is also a brush which is used for writing. The brush shows the importance of education to the Korean people. This is a unique monument that can only be seen in the DPRK. See more..
4.0 Grand People's Study House (69 reviews)
- Grand People's Study House
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The building itself is huge - almost a cross between an art gallery and university in places. We saw plenty of students studying and even had the opportunity to address an English class being taught. The views of the city from the balcony are spectacular. I found it funny they still use the dewey system for the library books and when asking about anything Australian, they showed us three books procured from a slot at the back that were all dated in the late 70's. They even had a casette of Slim Dusty's greatest hits within their music room. Definitely a very interesting experience See more..
4.0 Daedong River (Taedong River) (44 reviews)
- Taedong rive cruise at night
Bodies of Water

On our last night in NK, we took the evening cruise on the Taedong river on the Taedonggang river boat. The boat is immense and holds about 300 passengers, is very modern and has really upscale decor. The food was great, (as was the draft beer, ask to try some different flavours) and was served by pretty hostesses dressed up looking like airline stewardesses. The entertainment was first class with the singers dressed up in traditional costumes. The all girls band could really belt out some great music. Pyongyang lit up at night is really quite pretty and takes on a whole different atmosphere, with a great view from the river. I recommend that if you are in the city, you ask your guide to reserve this at outing for you. you will not regret it!! See more..
4.0 Mansudae Art Studio Gallery (24 reviews)
- High end art for bargain prices!
Art Galleries

This is the point where you want to get to if you like art! Very decent works to buy in the shop for prices you could only dream of elsewhere in the world! Ability to visit the artists when they are creating their art! Compared to other shops in DPRK a bit more expensive but the top quality works are still available for extreme bargain prices! See more..
4.0 Munsu Water Park (16 reviews)
- Fun fun fun!
Water Parks

When I went in May, the outdoors section was still closed for the season. This is still an awesome respite from boring and somber historical monuments when visiting North Korea. The local North Koreans are super friendly, the facilities are pristine, beautiful, and fun, and you can even rent a super cheesy modest North Korean swimsuit to take in all of the delights! There's swimming, waterslides, haircuts, mekju, snacks, wax figurines of the president and general, basketball, volleyball, trampolines (for kids, but they'll let you on if you're a skinny woman), and a fitness centre--This is the only place I've been where they'll let you in to the fitness centre barefoot and in your bathing suit! See more..