Major city · North Korea (DPRK)
Kaechon개천시
Skip Kaechon unless you are on a guided tour that includes Songam Cavern: a half-day stop from Pyongyang, not a destination.
Kaechon is a provincial industrial city in South Pyongan province, 50 km north of Pyongyang. Its only notable draw for foreign visitors is Songam Cavern, a large limestone cave system with 17 caves. Independent travel is impossible: you must be on a state-authorised tour. Most itineraries skip it or pass through on the way to other sites.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KPW
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, some sites may close)
- Airport
- FNJ
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Check your own government travel advice for North Korea b…US passports are not valid for the DPRK without special v…
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Check your own government travel advice for North Korea before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Entry is only through controlled arrangements when permitted at all; there is no independent visa route.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗US passports are not valid for the DPRK without special validation from the State Department.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to North Korea before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kaechon112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kaechon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards, ATMs and transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.North Korea (DPRK)-wide
- SafetyNorth Korea is under strict government control; petty crime is rare but arbitrary detention is a real risk.
- Emergency numbers112 police · 119 fire · 110 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFNJ Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (About 1.5 h by road; all foreign arrivals go through Pyongyang.).
- Getting aroundOn a guided tour, transport is provided.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FNJ Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (About 1.5 h by road; all foreign arrivals go through Pyongyang.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kaechon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
4 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
4 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
5 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On a guided tour, transport is provided. The city has a bus network but it is not usable by foreign tourists independently.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pyongyang
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Train or road via guided tour
All foreign visitors start and end in Pyongyang.
Songam Cavern
goDoor to door: About 1 h round trip including visit
Road from Kaechon centre, about 30 min
Main attraction; 17 caves, some with lighting and walkways.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kaechon city centre
Very limited accommodation; most tours stay in Pyongyang and visit Kaechon as a day trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Tour package (all-inclusive)
- check with operator; independent costs not applicable
Trip budget
| Guided tour package (per person, per day, all inclusive)1 × 1 night × KPW 0 | KPW 0 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × KPW 200 | KPW 200 |
| Trip total≈ KPW 200 per person per day, bed included | KPW 200 |
check with operator; typical range $100–300 per day
2026 estimate; independent travel is not possible. All costs are part of a guided tour package booked from outside the country.
Prices of common things
| Guided tour (per day, all inclusive)check with operator | $100–300 |
| Songam Cavern entrycheck | included in tour |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Independent travel is not permitted: you must be on a state-authorised tour.
- Photography restrictions apply near military and industrial sites; ask your guide.
- Songam Cavern may close for maintenance or political events; check with your tour operator.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 110
Pocket card
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Kaechon개천시
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
이 주소로 가 주세요To this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire119
- Ambulance110
Embassy
Most embassies are in Pyongyang; contact your country's embassy there for assistance. The Swedish Embassy handles consular affairs for several Western countries.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pyongyang → Kaechon by road: about 1–1.5 h, included in tour
- Kaechon → Songam Cavern: about 30 min by road
Say or show
- 안녕하세요 — Hello (annyeonghaseyo)
- 감사합니다 — Thank you (gamsahamnida)
- 얼마예요? — How much is it? (eolmayeyo?)
- 화장실이 어디예요? — Where is the toilet? (hwajangsiri eodiyeyo?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kaechon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, some sites may close)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add Songam Cavern details: opening hours, entry fee, photography rules.
- Add Yongpun Lake as a picnic stop if the tour allows.
- Verify Kaechon Station schedule for the Pyongyang–Sinuiju line.
Sources
Ask about Kaechon
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