TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(KPW)
North Korean won |
| Electrical |
110/220
Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 850, City Code, Pyongyang 2+3/9D, Hamchon 9+7D, Daejeon
421+7D |
Time:
GMT + 9.
Electricity:
110/220 volts AC, 60Hz.
Telephone:
IDD to the country is available, although there is a very sparse
internal network. Some hotels in Pyongyang provide direct international
calls although this may be expensive. Country code: 850.
Mobile
telephone: There is no mobile phone network at present.
Climate:
Moderate with four distinct seasons. The hottest time is July
to August, which is also the rainy season; coldest is from December
to January, winters in the far north can be very severe. Spring
and autumn are mild and mainly dry.
Required
clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are worn during
the summer. Light- to mediumweights are advised in the spring
and autumn, and medium- to heavyweights in the winter. Waterproofs
are advisable during the rainy season.
Food
& Drink: Reasonable restaurants can be found in the
main towns and cooking is usually based on the staple food, rice.
In hotels and restaurants it is better to stick to the Korean,
Chinese or Japanese items on the menu as experience of Western
and Russian cooking is limited. Eating out is arranged by the
guide.
Tipping: Officially frowned upon although some
hotel staff may expect a tip.
Currency:
Won (Won) = 100 chon. Notes are in denominations of Won100, 50,
10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of Won1, and 50, 10, 5
and 1 chon.
Currency
exchange: Currencies may be changed at the Trade Bank
(Mon-Sat 0900-1200 and 1400-1700) or at some hotels. Convertible
currencies include HK$, US$, A$, £, Yen and €.
Note:
Hotels tend to only accept cash payments in local currency whilst
shops prefer US Dollars.
Credit
& debit cards: Main hotels in Pyongyang will accept
credit and debit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. However, American
Express is not usually accepted.
Travellers
cheques: Generally not accepted. However, US Dollars
are often accepted as an alternative method of payment.
