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Voykit pocket guide · North Korea (DPRK)
Sariwon
사리원시
Sariwon is a half-day stop on the Pyongyang–Kaesong rail line: see the Folklore Street and Songbulsa Temple, then move on.
Sariwon, capital of North Hwanghae Province, is a compact city of 300,000 on the Pyongbu Line. Most visitors come on an organised tour that includes the post-war Folklore Street and the 5th-century Songbulsa Temple. One night is enough; many tours pass through in a few hours.
- Country
- North Korea (DPRK)
- Local name
- 사리원시
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (monsoon), Dec–Feb (cold)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- KPW
- Money
- Foreign cards, ATMs and transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Tour package (all-inclusive) check (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Fire 119 · Ambulance 110
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tour package (3 days, all inclusive) | USD 800–1,500 |
| Bottled water (local shop) | KPW 5,000–10,000 |
| Meal in a state-run restaurant | USD 10–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- FNJ · Pyongyang Sunan International Airport
- About 1.5 h by road; all tours include transfer
Typical fares
- Train Sariwon → Kaesong
- about 1 h, check
- Taxi (not available to tourists)
- N/A
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
On foot or by tour bus. The centre is walkable; taxis are not available to independent travellers.
See and do
Known for
- Sariwon Folklore Street
- Songbulsa Temple
- North Hwanghae Arts Theatre
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kaesong | Train from Sariwon Chongnyon Station, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
| Sinchon | Road, about 30 min by tour bus | About 45 min |
| Haeju | Road, about 1 h by tour bus | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- City centre near the station
- Sariwon 3.8 Hotel is the main option; all tours arrange accommodation.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | 안녕하세요annyeonghaseyo |
| Thank you | 감사합니다gamsahamnida |
| Yes | 네ne |
| No | 아니요aniyo |
| How much is it? | 얼마예요?eolmayeyo |
| Where is the toilet? | 화장실이 어디예요?hwajangsiri eodiyeyo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Independent travel is not allowed: you must join a government-authorised tour.
- Photography restrictions apply at military and border areas; ask your guide.
- Internet access is severely limited; buy an eSIM before arrival if you need data.
North Korea is tightly controlled; follow your guide's instructions at all times. Theft is rare, but political missteps carry serious consequences.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Sariwon yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Sariwon Folklore Street
- Songbulsa Temple
- North Hwanghae Arts Theatre
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Sariwon, revision 4487433 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4487433
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Sariwon사리원시
이 주소로 가 주세요
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Most embassies are in Pyongyang; your tour operator handles all communication.
All travel in North Korea is guided. Carry your passport and tour voucher at all times.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/sariwon). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.