The year 2018 seems to be a good one between North Korea and South Korea. As the two countries' leaders, Kim Jong-un, and Moon Jae-in, make way for peace, North Korea maybe soon open for more travel possibilities. So here are the five best places in the said country that travelers will surely want to see.
Mount Kumgang
Mount Kumgang is North Korea's mountain. It brags thousands of peaks, and some of those are even as sharp as cathedral spires.
On peak season, Mount Kumgang offers a hotel to stay in, a hot spring bath area, and circus performances by Pyongyang Moranbong Acrobatic Troupe every night. However, it got closed in 2008. But as Hyundai Group chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun is currently may visit the North Korean mountain, according to South China Morning Post, it may get reopened.
The DMZ
The DMZ is the Korean Demilitarized Zone that divides the Korean Peninsula in half. It is a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea.
Tourists are only allowed to visit The DMZ's dividing line. But if the political thaw continues to progress, travelers may get further to the border barrier.
South Korea's defense ministry revealed on October 17 that there are plans to let tourists go over The DMZ. North Korea works to demilitarize this area while landmines are getting cleared. Moon Jae-in even said that there are efforts to turn this place into an ecological preserve.
Tower of the Juche Idea
Tower of the Juche Idea gives honor to North Korea's philosophy called Juche, per LonelyPlanet. The place was unveiled to the public to celebrate President Kim Il-sung's 70th birthday in 1982.
Made of 25,550 granite blocks, each block signified a day of President Kim Il-sung' life until his 70th birthday. Tower of the Juche Idea stands 557 feet. Travelers who go to the top can witness the capital's great view on a clear day.
Tomb of King Kongmin
Tomb of King Kongmin belongs to the 31st Koryo king who reigned from 1352 to 1374. It is the most preserved and elaborated tomb in North Korea with a lot of decorations and made of traditional granites.
It also has statues that include a sculpture of his Mongolian wife. Tomb of King Kongmin also holds numbers of Aztec-looking altars. It is part of Unesco World Heritage but located in a secluded area -- about 13km west of Kaesong.
Pyongyang Metro
Pyongyang Metro is said to be the highlight of the North Korean capital. It has two lines, and also works as a nuclear bunker in case there will be an American invasion.
Its stations are located deep below the ground. Pyongyang Metro also has blast doors that will automatically close if the city gets nuclearly attacked.
