North Korea: The Bradt Travel Guide

by Robert Willoughby

This new Bradt guide explores every aspect of visiting North Korea, from day-to-day practicalities to an overview of the history that lies behind this troubled region and the culture that still unites the Korean people. While travelers are obliged to be part of a formal tour, there are plenty of possibilities for the more adventurous, including the Pyongyang International Marathon and the opportunity to traverse the country by motorbike. Routes outwards from the capital, Pyongyang, and via the Hyundai ferry from the South are explored in depth, ensuring that travelers are aware of both the possibilities and pitfalls of travel in this relatively untrodden part of the world. A whole range of information is provided--from red tape and security issues for the independent traveler to festivals and natural history of the mountain landscape for those wishing to explore the background of North Korea either while touring or from an armchair.

Genres: Travel

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short but admirable book. His research is thorough and the level of detail is surprising. It is refreshing to read something that doesn't have an agenda on this topic. It makes me realize how the media has colored my view of DPRK and its people even though I am usually aware of their manipulation. this is a good companion read to Nothing to Envy. Coincidentally, I just saw Dutch film, A Day in the Life of North Korea, and it was interesting to compare. I realize you can't rely on anything to entirely give you a picture of life there. There isn't much material out there but you have to try it all so different from learning about other countries.

Update: strange sensation, towards the end of the book where the eastern, remoter regions are described, the writing is less clear cut and a little more..what? elegiac, romantic? The change may be the lack of knowledge by sources, maybe he is making the best of the paucity of info but it is more compelling. Hiking in Sujong Peak with the whimsical statues of bears and goblins (who carved them?), Monggyong Rock "like a great split mirror 90km high in legend it read the minds and showed the sins of those who saw it",tombs that are ancient but their details unknown, and this juxtaposed with an all-in resort where south koreans can come without passport (ala Jamaica) described as a gilded cage in a prison state. I am more fascinated by this country that goes dark every night and curious to fill in the gaps between this book and Nothing to Envy.

[Ninja Neko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Invaluable, as it's the only guide containing that much info on the DPRK. The maps aren't great but I don't think you can expect much more when it comes to DPRK info. Some of the info is also geared towards expats. If you're visiting DPRK, this is the travel guide to take with you.

[Adam Krause · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't particularly want to go there.