A country · 20 places · 4 regions

North Korea, all of it.

20 curated places across 4 regions — photographed, mapped, and noted with the season each is best in.

Complex of Koguryo Tombs · via Wikimedia Commons

North Korea reads below in 4 chapters — Pyongyang, North Hwanghae Province, North Pyongan Province and Ryanggang Province — in any order you like.

Chapter I · Pyongyang · 11 places

Pyongyang

A revolving observation restaurant and viewing tower in Pyongyang offering elevated panoramas over the North Korean capital and the Taedong River that runs through it. Part of the city's array of monumental modern structures, its upper deck rotates slowly to present a full circuit of the skyline, taking in the broad boulevards, apartment blocks, and towering landmarks that define the planned capital. Access for foreign visitors is arranged through official guided tours, and the tower features on many organized itineraries of the city.

Songwol Observatory

Pyongyang, North Korea

✦ April–June, September–October · $$$

Grand Monument on Mansu Hill

Pyongyang, North Korea

✦ April–June, September–October · $$$

Arch of Triumph

Pyongyang, North Korea

✦ April–June, September–October · $$$

All 11 places in Pyongyang →

via Wikimedia Commons

Chapter II · North Hwanghae Province · 1 place

North Hwanghae Province

A historic city near the inter-Korean border that served as the capital of the Goryeo dynasty for several centuries, from which the Western name Korea ultimately derives. Uniquely among major cities on the peninsula, it preserved much of its old fabric, and its monuments, palace ruins, an ancient Confucian academy, tombs, and stone bridges earned collective World Heritage recognition. The area is also known for ginseng. Foreign visitors reach it on guided excursions from the capital, often paired with the border zone.

✦ April–June, September–October · $$$

Meet Kaesong All 1 place in North Hwanghae Province →

Chapter III · North Pyongan Province · 1 place

North Pyongan Province

A forested mountain northeast of Pyongyang dotted with historic Buddhist temples and deep valleys. It also houses a museum of state gifts carved into the mountainside.

Myohyangsan

North Pyongan Province, North Korea

✦ Autumn · $$

All 1 place in North Pyongan Province →

via Wikimedia Commons

Chapter IV · Ryanggang Province · 1 place

Ryanggang Province

The highest peak on the Korean peninsula, a dormant volcano straddling the North Korean-Chinese border. Its summit cradles the deep crater lake of Heaven Lake, a site of profound national significance.

✦ July to September · $

Meet Mount Paektu All 1 place in Ryanggang Province →