Meoweler
North Korea

Pyongyang / Where the past meets the future

MeowScore 😿42/100
What is MeowScore?
🐈 Cats in the city 😸
☀️ Sun-soaked days 😸
🚗 Traffic density 😼
🔈 Noisiness 😼
📸 Views and Sightseeing 😾
🌳 Parks and greenery 😿
👮‍♂️ Safety 😿

Best month

May

Pleasant weather, popular marathon, and many tourist activities 🏅🏃‍♂️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎉
january

To witness the meticulously choreographed Mass Games (20,000 performers), a true spectacle of North Korean culture. 🎭

🇰🇵
february

To celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong Il with the locals at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. 🎂

🌸
march

To see the famous cherry blossoms and enjoy the beginning of spring. 🌸

🎬
april

To attend the Pyongyang International Film Festival. 🎥

🏅
may

To participate in the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon and tour the May Day Stadium. 🏃‍♂️

🎪
june

To experience the Summer Solstice Folk Festival in Munsu Water Park. 🎉

🎉
july

To celebrate the country's liberation with locals and enjoy its beautiful summer weather. 🌞

🚀
august

To witness North Korea's military might on Victory Day with a military parade. 🎖️

⛰️
september

To climb Mount Paektu, an active volcano on the Chinese border with a spiritual significance. 🌋

🎇
october

To commemorate the Workers' Party Foundation Day with a grand fireworks display. 🎆

🕊️
november

To pay respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the death anniversary of Kim Jong Il. 🌹

⛄
december

To enjoy winter activities like skiing and skating in the snowy capital. 🏂

🤑

Expensive city

Bigmac $?

🤑

As a visiting cat, the shopping situation in Pyongyang is quite expensive compared to other cities. The local currency is not easily exchangeable and necessities are priced high due to limited options and sanctions.

Bargaining is not customary, so be sure to research prices beforehand and bring enough cash.

Usual visit duration

3-5 days

guided tours

Usual visit duration

3-5 days

guided tours

Tourist visas are only granted for guided tours which last 3-5 nights.

Tipping

0%

No tipping culture

Tipping

0%

No tipping culture

Cash is preferred, credit card is less common. Splitting the bill is not customary.

internet situation

bad Speed

Limited bandwidth and slow speeds

bad Availability

Extremely limited access

bad Cellular

Limited coverage in major areas

Electric socket type C

Common in Europe, South America, and Asia. Non-grounded, 2-pin plug, accepts Type C & Type E&F (non-grounded variant).

KPW

1 KPW =
? USD

Currency converter

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Sunrise
Sunset
Day length



biking hostile

Limited infrastructure

walking hostile

Poor infrastructure

LGBTQ hostile

Oppressive regime

The catnip-infused propaganda is quite impressive, but don't get your paws caught in the web of restrictions.

The litter box is well-maintained, but beware of the occasional hairball of political tension.

Things to do

The mainstream

🏢
Ryugyong Hotel
🐟
Taedong River
👑
Mansudae Grand Monument
🗼
Juche Tower
🏯
Kumsusan Palace of the Sun

The mainstream

🏢
Ryugyong Hotel

This modern, yet unfinished, skyscraper towers over the city at 330 meters tall. Despite its incomplete state, it's an impressive sight!

Google Maps
🐟
Taedong River

Meandering throughout the city, this river is a relaxing spot for picnics and boat rides. If you're lucky, you might spot some fish swimming by!

Google Maps
👑
Mansudae Grand Monument

These bronze statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are 22 meters tall and located in the heart of Pyongyang. Cats can observe from a distance.

Google Maps
🗼
Juche Tower

Built to commemorate Kim Il-sung's ideology, the tower offers panoramic views of the city. It stands at 170 meters tall.

Google Maps
🏯
Kumsusan Palace of the Sun

This mausoleum houses the preserved bodies of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. Visitors must wear formal attire and bow to both leaders before entering.

Google Maps

Off the beaten path

🕌
Kumsusan Palace of the Sun
🏆
The Arch of Triumph
🐎
Chollima Statue
🏟️
Kim Il Sung Stadium
🏠
Mangyongdae Native House

Off the beaten path

🕌
Kumsusan Palace of the Sun

The mausoleum where the bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lie in state. Visitors must dress up and follow strict rules!

Google Maps
🏆
The Arch of Triumph

Inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but bigger! It's a tribute to North Korea's resistance against Japan in the 1930s.

Google Maps
🐎
Chollima Statue

A symbol of North Korea's resilience and ambition. In mythology, a winged horse that can gallop 1,000 miles a day. Great views of the city.

Google Maps
🏟️
Kim Il Sung Stadium

The biggest stadium in North Korea, home to all kinds of sports events and occasional parades. It fits up to 150,000 cats!

Google Maps
🏠
Mangyongdae Native House

The birthplace of North Korea's former leader, Kim Il Sung. It's a peaceful park with his childhood home, school, and history museum.

Google Maps

biking hostile

Limited infrastructure

walking hostile

Poor infrastructure

LGBTQ hostile

Oppressive regime

Mindful meoweler tips

North Korean Propaganda Art

Pyongyang is full of colourful, bold and often dramatic propaganda murals depicting scenes from North Korean life. Keep an eye out for them on buildings and in public areas.

Tipping is Not Customary

Tipping is not an accepted practice in North Korea so don't be surprised if you receive blank stares if you offer a tip. Also, be sure to carry cash as credit cards are not widely accepted.

Strict Tourist Rules

Tourists are required to follow strict rules and are not allowed to deviate from their tour group. Photography is heavily restricted, especially around military or government buildings.

Kim Il-sung Square

A must-visit location is the vast and impressive Kim Il-sung Square. It is the center of the city and regularly features military parades and other important events. Photography is only allowed with permission here.

Lack of Internet and Phone Service

Be prepared for limited internet and phone access in North Korea. Only a select few hotels have Wi-Fi, but it is heavily monitored and filtered by the government.

Useful external sites

koryogroup.com

Koryo Tours↗

Tour agency offering trips to North Korea, including Pyongyang

www.north-korea-travel.com

North Korea Travel↗

Website providing information on traveling to North Korea, including visas and tours

www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp

Pyongyang Times↗

English-language newspaper covering news and events in North Korea, including Pyongyang

Beware, most of the content was generated by AI