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IT’S no secret that North Korea is a mysterious place, both as an entity of its own and as a travel destination.
Tourism in the capital of Pyongyang is highly restricted which means that booking a trip through a state-endorsed guided tour operator is your only way in, as independent travel is not allowed.
However, for both Asians and Westerners, getting a tourist visa to enter the country is surprisingly fuss-free. As long as you follow certain rules, that is.
One of the conditions imposed for travelers is not being able to walk around unaccompanied, and they are refrained from taking photos at certain locations.
However, despite recent United Nations sanctions, the number of tourists traveling to North Korea is fairly stable.
Simon Cockerell, general manager of Koryo Tours, said none of the Beijing-based companies had been put off by the UN sanctions, which were called after a nuclear test and missile launch.
He said, “Sanctions have no relationship whatsoever to tourism, and the sort of people who want to go to North Korea are not the kind who check UN sanction lists before making a decision on whether to go or not.”
Some of the attractions in the capital include the statue of Kim Il Sung in the Fountain Park in Pyongyang, where visitors can lay wreaths of flowers.
But if you don’t ever make it out there, you can still live vicariously through Instagram, where some users post regular photos of life in North Korea.
@everydaydprk
This account curates images from other users with credit, and is a great taste of everyday life in Pyongyang. Expect sensitively captured images of locals going about their mundane routines, as well as the odd snapshot of a typical North Korean wedding or festival.
@jakaparker
Indonesian Jaka Parker was a former resident of North Korea from 2012 to early 2016. Not only did he raise his family in Pyongyang for a short period, he also documented their life in the controlled state. Snapshots of his happy family blend seamlessly with the occasional Kim Jong-un bilboard selfie.
@simonkoryo
Simon Cockerell is the general manager of the state-endorsed Koryo Tours, a tour company that takes foreigners into North Korea. The company doesn’t just run solo and group tours, but also takes bookings for the Pyongyang Marathon, where donations will be made on the winners’ behalf to humanitarian projects to aid orphanages.
@erictalmadge
Eric Talmadge is the Associated Press bureau chief based in Pyongyang. His photos capture the poignancy of everyday life in Pyongyang, whether through a morning commute or a trip to the mountains in the outskirts. He has a rare knack of making the city look… picturesque.
@shinchoi
Shin has a large repertoire of photos from Pyongyang, including those of other tourists, kids having fun on the streets, couples getting their portraits taken against the Kim Il Sung statue, and a variety of Korean crackers and snacks.
The post Visit North Korea’s elusive capital Pyongyang through the eyes of Instagram appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com