Kaesong
Kaesŏng (개성, 開城) is a city in North Korea, near the DMZ and the South Korean border. Understand[edit]Kaesong is a small city and former capital of Koryo Dynasty (918 A.D. - 1392 A.D.). It is the only major city that changed hands between North and South Korea as a result of the Korean War. It is becoming increasingly well-known for the Kaesong Industrial Complex, a "special economic zone", developed by Hyundai Asan with North Korea. This zone now has over 10,000 North Korean workers in over a dozen brand-new factories owned by South Korean companies. Get in[edit]Kaesong is connected to Pyongyang by highway, about two and a half hours away. There are road and rail links that connect Kaesong to South Korea, however, as of April, 2013, these links have been closed by the North Korean government as part of an increase in tensions surrounding both South Korean/US joint military exercises as well as UN sanctions applied due to the north's nuclear test in February 2013. While open, these routes were only open to business, diplomatic and group tour traffic, and not for general traffic use. Formerly group tour buses running daily from Seoul were available through Hyundai-Asan, however this seems to have been stopped by North Korea in recent months, and it is unclear when/if they will become available again. As of August 2012, the tour is still unavailable. North Korea has been pushing for the tours to resume, but the current South Korean administration under Lee Myung-bak is holding back, hoping to get concessions from the North. Get around[edit]It is forbidden to travel around the city without a tour guide. Before tours were halted, you could get to Kaesong from Seoul, South Korea on a group tour bus ride lasting approximately 2 hours. See[edit][add listing]Ancient temples and Koryo rulers' tombs.
Do[edit][add listing]Buy[edit][add listing]Souvenirs such as ginseng, DPRK stamps, books written by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jung Il, and Korean handicrafts are available, and not expensive. Stores selling souvenirs accept US dollars, euros and Chinese yuan. Eat[edit][add listing]Drink[edit][add listing]Sleep[edit][add listing]The majority of visitors are placed in the Kaesong Folk Hotel, which comprises traditional Korean houses and courtyards converted into a hotel. It has a small souvenir shop and restaurant. If you're not part of a tour group you might have the hotel all to yourself. It is located just a few blocks away from the Nam Gate.* Stay safe[edit]Get out[edit]
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