Major city · North Korea (DPRK)
Kaesong
Visit Kaesong as a half‑day stop on a Pyongyang‑DMZ tour; one day is enough for the main historic sites.
Kaesong, former Koryo capital, lies 8 km from the DMZ. Most tours reach it from Pyongyang (≈2½ h by road) and include the UNESCO‑listed historic gate, tombs and old town. Because visits are guided and limited, a single day suffices.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KPW
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold) and major diplomatic events
- Airport
- FNJ
- Nights
- 1
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 Kaesong110 ▾
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 Kaesong, 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
- SafetyTour groups are closely monitored; main risks are travel restrictions and limited photography.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire/ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFNJ Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (All tours start from Pyongyang; Kaesong has no commercial airport.).
- Getting aroundAll movement is organized by the tour guide; private transport is not permitted.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedKaesong Folk Hotel room (double), a night, per roomKPW 3,000
- Mid-range bedKaesong Folk Hotel room (double), a night, per roomKPW 5,000
- High-end bedKaesong Folk Hotel room (double), a night, per roomKPW 8,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget KPW 2,000 · Mid KPW 3,500 · High KPW 5,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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 (All tours start from Pyongyang; Kaesong has no commercial airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kaesong: 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 (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 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
All movement is organized by the tour guide; private transport is not permitted.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nam Gate (South Gate)
goDoor to door: ≈10 min
Guided walk from Kaesong Folk Hotel, 5‑min
Only surviving city gate, 14‑ton bell inside.
Koryo Museum
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
Guided walk, 10‑min from hotel
Former Confucian academy, displays royal artifacts.
Tomb of King Kongmin
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Guided minibus, about 30 km (19 mi), 45‑min rideGuided minibus, about 19 mi (30 km), 45‑min ride
Access depends on tour itinerary; check with guide.
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.
Kaesong Folk Hotel
Traditional hanok‑style rooms, main accommodation for tour groups.
Janamsan Hotel
Small hotel near Sonjuk Bridge, limited availability.
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
- Budget
- ₩2,000–3,000 (≈ US$2–3) excl. bed (check)
- Mid
- ₩3,000–5,000 (≈ US$3–4) excl. bed (check)
Trip budget
| Kaesong Folk Hotel room (double)1 × 1 night × KPW 5,000 | KPW 5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × KPW 3,500 | KPW 7,000 |
| Pyongyang‑Kaesong bus (round trip, guide included)2 × KPW 15,000 · check | KPW 30,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × KPW 25,000 · check | KPW 50,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | KPW 9,200 |
| Trip total≈ KPW 50,600 per person per day, bed included | KPW 101,200 |
2026 estimate in KPW; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Souvenir stamp | ₩500–800 (≈ under US$1) |
| Ginseng (100 g) | ₩1,200–2,000 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Meal at Kaesong Folk Hotel restaurant | ₩1,500–2,500 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Travel must be on an approved tour; independent travel is prohibited.
- Photography is restricted at most sites; coin‑operated binoculars only at observatory points.
- Border crossings to South Korea are limited to diplomatic or business traffic.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire/ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KaesongKaesong
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
이 주소로 가 주세요To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire/ambulance119
Embassy
US consular services are in Pyongyang; check the State Department for updates.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pyongyang → Kaesong (bus, guide included): ≈ ₩15,000 per person, 2½ h (check)
Say or show
- 안녕하세요 — Hello (annyeonghaseyo)
- 감사합니다 — Thank you (kamsahamnida)
- 얼마예요? — How much? (eolmayeyo?)
- 화장실 어디에요? — Where is the bathroom? (hwajangsil eodieyo?)
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 Kaesong. 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) and major diplomatic events
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a second night at Kaesong Folk Hotel for a deeper walk of the old town (check availability).
- Combine with a DMZ visit to Panmunjom for a full‑day itinerary.
Sources
Ask about Kaesong
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