North Korea

[Frazerbob]

Anyone been?
Always been fascinated by the place and love visiting unusual countries. Having visited the likes of Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Chernobyl (long before it became fashionable) I’m thinking a trip to Pyongyang for my 50th in 2023 could be a plan so starting my research. Looks like lots of companies arrange the trips so looking for recommendations.

[Hibrandenburg]

Anyone been?
Always been fascinated by the place and love visiting unusual countries. Having visited the likes of Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Chernobyl (long before it became fashionable) I’m thinking a trip to Pyongyang for my 50th in 2023 could be a plan so starting my research. Looks like lots of companies arrange the trips so looking for recommendations.

A former work colleague of mine did a video blog on his trip to North Korea, here's the link:

https://youtu.be/2t4r_ASJs1M

[Hibernia&Alba]

I wasn't aware North Korea allows tourists. Wouldn't it be like the old Cold War days, with your hotel room bugged and the secret police following you around, in case you're a spy?

[wookie70]

I watched something on tourism and it was done using official guides. You could even cross the border and get a pic taken. Gifts for the guides are a minefield seemingly and there are strict rules about what you can say in terms of the regime

[makaveli1875]

It's a bit like Scotland , if you give praise to the dear leader you'll be fine .
That's a joke before all you Sturgeon fanbois start laying eggs

[NYHibby]

I’ve also been to Chernobyl back when they first started doing the two days tours where you sleep in Chernobyl town and have been on the tour to go inside the blue buildings in the JSA, and arguably cross the NK boarder. But I think going into NK proper is a completely different kettle of fish. You are giving your foreign currency to the NK regime in a way that doesn’t benefit the NK people. In return you get a very sanitised tour. I’m all for dark tourism, but I would rather save my money and visit NK at some point in the future under different circumstances.

Given some of the other places you’re been, have you been to the Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan?

[Jamesie]

I’ve also been to Chernobyl back when they first started doing the two days tours where you sleep in Chernobyl town and have been on the tour to go inside the blue buildings in the JSA, and arguably cross the NK boarder. But I think going into NK proper is a completely different kettle of fish. You are giving your foreign currency to the NK regime in a way that doesn’t benefit the NK people. In return you get a very sanitised tour. I’m all for dark tourism, but I would rather save my money and visit NK at some point in the future under different circumstances.

Given some of the other places you’re been, have you been to the Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan?

Not to take the thread off topic, but have you visited Turkmenistan? It’s been on my long list for a while but the visa situation is tricky and the last time I checked a 5 day transit visa would be the best option, and on the basis I’ve never visited either Turkmenistan or Afghanistan I’d half sketched out a route that involved the ferry from Baku to Turkmenbashi then travelling overland and entering Afghanistan near Herat. On the basis the Taliban took over that border crossing three weeks ago, I can’t see this trip ever materialising!

[Jones28]

Not to take the thread off topic, but have you visited Turkmenistan? It’s been on my long list for a while but the visa situation is tricky and the last time I checked a 5 day transit visa would be the best option, and on the basis I’ve never visited either Turkmenistan or Afghanistan I’d half sketched out a route that involved the ferry from Baku to Turkmenbashi then travelling overland and entering Afghanistan near Herat. On the basis the Taliban took over that border crossing three weeks ago, I can’t see this trip ever materialising!

What in ****s name would possess you to go anywhere near there?!

[Sir David Gray]

Not to take the thread off topic, but have you visited Turkmenistan? It’s been on my long list for a while but the visa situation is tricky and the last time I checked a 5 day transit visa would be the best option, and on the basis I’ve never visited either Turkmenistan or Afghanistan I’d half sketched out a route that involved the ferry from Baku to Turkmenbashi then travelling overland and entering Afghanistan near Herat. On the basis the Taliban took over that border crossing three weeks ago, I can’t see this trip ever materialising!

You reckon? 😂

[Jamesie]

What in ****s name would possess you to go anywhere near there?!

I’ve always been pretty adventurous when it comes to travel - have visited 110+ countries, including places like Iran, Syria and Venezuela!

[Renfrew_Hibby]

Would love to do the trans siberian and continue on from Vladivostok into N.Korea.
I doubt it would be possible as it's probably a closed border.

[Billy Whizz]

I’ve always been pretty adventurous when it comes to travel - have visited 110+ countries, including places like Iran, Syria and Venezuela!

20/30 years ago I always wanted to visit rural China, never made it

[Keith_M]

Would love to do the trans siberian and continue on from Vladivostok into N.Korea.
I doubt it would be possible as it's probably a closed border.


My Missus has wanted to go on the Trans-Siberian railway for a while now but keeps having to put it off, for one reason or another.

[Renfrew_Hibby]

My Missus has wanted to go on the Trans-Siberian railway for a while now but keeps having to put it off, for one reason or another.

Seven days from Moscow to Vladivostok, I'd need about seven months as I'd want to stop off to experience and explore all the cities and regions we would pass through.

[Haymaker]

My Missus has wanted to go on the Trans-Siberian railway for a while now but keeps having to put it off, for one reason or another.

I know someone who has done it and apparently it was unbelievable. I've always wanted to do not myself but never sorted it out.

Friend of mine did the Mongol Rally as well a couple years back. Looked amazing.

[WeeRussell]

It's a bit like Scotland , if you give praise to the dear leader you'll be fine .
That's a joke before all you Sturgeon fanbois start laying eggs

And a bloody hilarious one too 👍

Even the clarification with the use of “fanbois” tickled me.

[WeeRussell]

I’ve always been pretty adventurous when it comes to travel - have visited 110+ countries, including places like Iran, Syria and Venezuela!

That’s impressive. I love travelling myself and can’t wait until the world is as good as open to us again.

Not sure I’ve the same level as balls as you in terms of destination though 😂

[maltman91]

It's a bit like Scotland , if you give praise to the dear leader you'll be fine .
That's a joke before all you Sturgeon fanbois start laying eggs

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9806517/Journalists-face-14-years-prison-embarrassing-Government-proposed-law-change.html

good joke:confused::confused::confused:

[Renfrew_Hibby]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9806517/Journalists-face-14-years-prison-embarrassing-Government-proposed-law-change.html

good joke:confused::confused::confused:

****** me! Has Putin been over and ran a wee workshop?

[NYHibby]

Would love to do the trans siberian and continue on from Vladivostok into N.Korea.
I doubt it would be possible as it's probably a closed border.

In the train station inside the DMZ, there is a map of how you could travel from London to Seoul by train via the trans-Siberian. While not on the map, you could start in Edinburgh. Obviously this isn’t possible at the moment.

[Renfrew_Hibby]

Technically you could travel from Wick to the southern tip of the Korean peninsula.

If future it may even be possible to travel from Wick to the southern end of the Japanese network!

This could be achieved via the BAM line, which runs roughly 500 north of and parallel to the Trans-Siberian. It would be done with a tunnel to the north of Sakhalin Island from the BAM, down through Sakhalin to another tunnel which connects to the Japanese network at the top of Hokkaido.

[Lendo]

Technically you could travel from Wick to the southern tip of the Korean peninsula.

If future it may even be possible to travel from Wick to the southern end of the Japanese network!

This could be achieved via the BAM line, which runs roughly 500 north and parallel to the Trans-Siberian. It would be done with a tunnel to the north of Sakhalin Island from the BAM, down through Sakhalin to another tunnel which connects to the Japanese network at the top of Hokkaido.

I’m sure I’m not imaging this but was there not a TV documentary years ago where some guys drove from John O’Groats to New York. During the winter the Bering Strait would freeze over allowing 4x4 to drive from Russia to Alaska.

Edit: Having Googled the life out of this I can find no evidence that what I said was is true.

[18Craig75]

In the train station inside the DMZ, there is a map of how you could travel from London to Seoul by train via the trans-Siberian. While not on the map, you could start in Edinburgh. Obviously this isn’t possible at the moment.

Would highly recommend books by Matthew Woodward. He gets the train from Edinburgh to Tibet, Singapore and a general Trans Siberia Adventure.

He’s a seasoned rail traveller, bit of an eyeopener on what it takes to travel that far. I’ve travelled a fair amount of far off places (10 weeks in India, mostly by train, the most extreme) - those books definitely whet my appetite for more, although I wouldn’t be starting from Edinburgh!!

[Pretty Boy]

Would highly recommend books by Matthew Woodward. He gets the train from Edinburgh to Tibet, Singapore and a general Trans Siberia Adventure.

He’s a seasoned rail traveller, bit of an eyeopener on what it takes to travel that far. I’ve travelled a fair amount of far off places (10 weeks in India, mostly by train, the most extreme) - those books definitely whet my appetite for more, although I wouldn’t be starting from Edinburgh!!

I love books and documentaries that involve travelling by road or rail, particularly in Africa.

They give a real sense of just how big and diverse these places are. It's the kind of thing you know in a theoretical sense but when someone vividly describes driving or sitting on a train for 12, 15 or 20 hours and still being in the same country it really hammers it home.

[18Craig75]

I love books and documentaries that involve travelling by road or rail, particularly in Africa.

They give a real sense of just how big and diverse these places are. It's the kind of thing you know in a theoretical sense but when someone vividly describes driving or sitting on a train for 12, 15 or 20 hours and still being in the same country it really hammers it home.

Totally agree. I’ve found myself pretty much only reading books of that ilk since travel restrictions have been in place due to Covid! One of the best I’ve read recently was ‘Turn Left At Instanbul’ - two guys drove from London to Calcutta in the sixties, through Iran, Afghanistan etc, places you wouldn’t dream of driving through now!

[Stairway 2 7]

Bill bryson is phenomenal in my eyes love his travelogues. Any other recommendations as I think I've done all his

[NYHibby]

I’m sure I’m not imaging this but was there not a TV documentary years ago where some guys drove from John O’Groats to New York. During the winter the Bering Strait would freeze over allowing 4x4 to drive from Russia to Alaska.

Edit: Having Googled the life out of this I can find no evidence that what I said was is true.

There is a Ewan McGregor documentary where they went from Shepherds Bush in London to NYC. But they flew over the Bering Strait. They started in John O’Groats in the sequel.

[overdrive]

Totally agree. I’ve found myself pretty much only reading books of that ilk since travel restrictions have been in place due to Covid! One of the best I’ve read recently was ‘Turn Left At Instanbul’ - two guys drove from London to Calcutta in the sixties, through Iran, Afghanistan etc, places you wouldn’t dream of driving through now!

A guy I used to work with said he drove from London to India with his mates when he was a student in the 70s.

My girlfriend and I applied for the next season of Race Across the World. This was just before covid hit, so I can’t see that being a goer anytime soon.

Given the first season was through Europe and Asia, and the second through North and South America, we reckoned the next one would be through Africa and the Middle East.

Edit: on the topic of slightly dangerous places to visit, my dream holiday would be a trip to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Israel. Obviously can’t really go to Syria at the moment and we’d probably to go somewhere else between Israel and the rest of the places.

[18Craig75]

A guy I used to work with said he drove from London to India with his mates when he was a student in the 70s.

My girlfriend and I applied for the next season of Race Across the World. This was just before covid hit, so I can’t see that being a goer anytime soon.

Given the first season was through Europe and Asia, and the second through North and South America, we reckoned the next one would be through Africa and the Middle East.

Edit: on the topic of slightly dangerous places to visit, my dream holiday would be a trip to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Israel. Obviously can’t really go to Syria at the moment and we’d probably to go somewhere else between Israel and the rest of the places.

Israel is a stunning country. Would highly recommend, you do need to go with a fairly open mind and some patience. Heading into the West Bank was a humbling experience.

Jordan I imagine would be much the same, we straddled the border when visiting the Dead Sea and Masada.

[Since90+2]

Not exactly dark tourism but has anyone ever been to Nepal? Really fancy that at some point.

[Pretty Boy]

A guy I used to work with said he drove from London to India with his mates when he was a student in the 70s.

My girlfriend and I applied for the next season of Race Across the World. This was just before covid hit, so I can’t see that being a goer anytime soon.

Given the first season was through Europe and Asia, and the second through North and South America, we reckoned the next one would be through Africa and the Middle East.

Edit: on the topic of slightly dangerous places to visit, my dream holiday would be a trip to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Israel. Obviously can’t really go to Syria at the moment and we’d probably to go somewhere else between Israel and the rest of the places.

I've always wanted to go to Israel and Palestine.

The local churches near me, of all denominations, organise a pilgrimage to the Holy Land every 2 or 3 years but the cost has always been a bit prohibitive. Some of the videos and photos they share are amazing. I think my favourite of them all is a video taken at dusk from the roof of the Austrian Hospice of the call to prayer. You can see the Dome of the Rock, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Tower of David, Gethsemane etc etc all crowded into one relatively small space. It's debatable whether there is anywhere else in the world with so much history and influence within walking distance.

[Keith_M]

I've got as much desire to visit North Korea as I have to go to Damascus.

Each to their own, I suppose.

[hibsbollah]

A guy I used to work with said he drove from London to India with his mates when he was a student in the 70s.

My girlfriend and I applied for the next season of Race Across the World. This was just before covid hit, so I can’t see that being a goer anytime soon.

Given the first season was through Europe and Asia, and the second through North and South America, we reckoned the next one would be through Africa and the Middle East.

Edit: on the topic of slightly dangerous places to visit, my dream holiday would be a trip to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Israel. Obviously can’t really go to Syria at the moment and we’d probably to go somewhere else between Israel and the rest of the places.

My daughter and I did too. Maybe see you on it :greengrin

[Killiehibbie]

I've got as much desire to visit North Korea as I have to go to Damascus.

Each to their own, I suppose.

A road trip might change your life or end it.

[Frazerbob]

I've got as much desire to visit North Korea as I have to go to Damascus.

Each to their own, I suppose.

Probably not the thread for you then. Thanks for your input.

[CropleyWasGod]

Just watching Palin in North Korea.

Makes me want to go even more.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Just watching Palin in North Korea.

Makes me want to go even more.

Really enjoyed that first time round.

[Carheenlea]

I've always wanted to go to Israel and Palestine.

The local churches near me, of all denominations, organise a pilgrimage to the Holy Land every 2 or 3 years but the cost has always been a bit prohibitive. Some of the videos and photos they share are amazing. I think my favourite of them all is a video taken at dusk from the roof of the Austrian Hospice of the call to prayer. You can see the Dome of the Rock, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Tower of David, Gethsemane etc etc all crowded into one relatively small space. It's debatable whether there is anywhere else in the world with so much history and influence within walking distance.

My friend Nakedmanoncrack has travelled to Israel/Palestine independently, two or three years ago now, and it looked an incredible trip. Might be worth a PM to him for information as to how he plotted it.

[Bristolhibby]

I've always wanted to go to Israel and Palestine.

The local churches near me, of all denominations, organise a pilgrimage to the Holy Land every 2 or 3 years but the cost has always been a bit prohibitive. Some of the videos and photos they share are amazing. I think my favourite of them all is a video taken at dusk from the roof of the Austrian Hospice of the call to prayer. You can see the Dome of the Rock, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Tower of David, Gethsemane etc etc all crowded into one relatively small space. It's debatable whether there is anywhere else in the world with so much history and influence within walking distance.

I went there quite a bit with work a few years ago but finally got to do the touristy stuff when I went to Israel with Scotland.

Got up early on March day and got a bus from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Had done my research so had a hit list and a plan.

Such an amazing city, would love to go back. You can feel the history seeping round every corner of old town.

I’m no religious person, but you can feel the importance of the place to so many faiths.

J

[H18 SFR]

I watched the Michael Palin special edition programme on channel 5 earlier on North Korea. What a wonderful and stunningly beautiful place to potentially visit.

It totally changed my perception of the place and their citizens.