What are the best things to do in Pyongyang?
Top picks in Pyongyang include Children's Palace, Chollima Statue, Juche Tower, Korean War Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Pyongyang travel guide.
Photo: Clay Gilliland · CC BY-SA 2.0
Why visit Pyongyang
Travel guide for Pyongyang, North Korea — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Pyongyang is a stop in North Korea, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Children's Palace, Chollima Statue, Juche Tower instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 70–170 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Pyongyang
1
Children's Palace
2
Chollima Statue
3
Juche Tower
4
Korean War Museum
Plan your trip
Pyongyang itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Children's Palace
- Visit Chollima Statue
- Visit Juche Tower
- Eat at Chongryu
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Korean War Museum
- Eat at Dangogi Gukjib
Budget
Pyongyang trip cost
Budget
USD 30–55
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 70–170
per person / day
Luxury
USD 195–325+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Pyongyang, North Korea. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Pyongyang
Estimated total (USD)
$2,460
≈ $1,230 per person · $351 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $120/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Pyongyang mid-range ground costs (budget 30–55 · mid 70–170 · luxury 195–325+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Chongryu
Designed in the shape of a river cruise boat. A good choice for those fond of traditional Korean food, as over 120 Korean dishes are availab
Dangogi Gukjib
The most famous place for those who wish to try the Korean speciality of dog. Costs €30.
- $
Haedanghwa
Teppanyaki-style restaurant with €30, €50 and €70 set meals. Considered one of the top restaurants in the country, the chefs have been train
Mujigae Boat Restaurant
A 2015 boat completed for the 70th anniversary of the workers party, the Rainbow boat has 8 food options: a buffet, a traditional Korean res
- $
Okryu
On the bank of the Taedong River, Okryu was founded in 1960 and is one of the oldest restaurants in the country and one of the few with bran
Ryugyong Restaurant
Specialises in beef dishes. Recommended for meat-lovers.
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Heabangsan Hotel
A five-storey building which is the cheapest option in Pyongyang. It has 83 rooms, but rarely available to foreigners.
Morangbong Hotel
12 rooms and is Pyongyang's smallest hotel. It is the only hotel in Pyongyang with al fresco dining.
Pyongyang Hotel
Class 2 hotel with 170 rooms. Open since 1961.
Taedonggang Hotel
2nd class hotel that has been around since 1956.
Potongang Hotel
First-class hotel next to the Potong River about 4 km from the city centre. It has 216 rooms equipped with air conditioning, refrigerator, t
Shopping
- Pyongyang Store
- Haemaji
- CanGuang
- Potonggang
- GwangBok
- Ryugyong
Nightlife
- Taedonggang Brewery Restaurant
- Diplomatic Club
Museums & culture
- Children's Palace
- Korean War Museum
In pictures
Pyongyang gallery
Photos: Clay Gilliland, Christophe95, yeowatzup, Martin Cígler, David Clayton Ellsworth — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Pyongyang travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Pyongyang?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Pyongyang?
Plan at least 2 days in Pyongyang for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Pyongyang?
Popular stays in Pyongyang include Heabangsan Hotel, Morangbong Hotel, Pyongyang Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Pyongyang cost?
On the ground in Pyongyang (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 30–55 per person per day, mid-range about 70–170, and luxury about 195–325+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Pyongyang, North Korea. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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