Pyongyang is the capital of North Korea, a city on the Taedong River that was rebuilt after the Korean War with wide boulevards and Soviet-era architecture. Almost all travel here is organised through a tour company, and that company arranges your accommodation as part of the package.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: the central districts hold the main hotels and the sights, while a few options sit on the river or slightly outside the centre. This guide covers the areas where accommodation is concentrated, what each suits, and how the choice affects your time in the city.
Best areas to stay in Pyongyang
1. Central District
The Central District is where several of the city's hotels are located, along Sungri Street and near landmarks such as the Pyongyang Grand Theatre. Staying here puts you close to the centre of the city rather than on its edges.
This suits visitors who want to be in the middle of things and near the main sights, and it is the most convenient base for a first visit. The hotels here range from the cheapest options to long-established second-class properties. Note that the cheapest hotel in the city is rarely available to foreigners.
2. Yanggakdo Island
Yanggakdo Island sits in the middle of the Taedong River, and one of the city's largest hotels stands on it. The island setting means you are somewhat removed from the city centre.
This suits travellers who prefer a self-contained base with extensive facilities on site, including several restaurants, a casino and a bowling alley. The trade-off is isolation: you are less connected to the rest of the city than if you stayed in the Central District.
3. Mangyongdae District
Mangyongdae District lies at the junction of the Taedonggang and Potonggang Rivers, where a first-class hotel opened in 1989 stands. It is a riverside area away from the central streets.
This suits visitors who want river views and a quieter setting, and who do not mind being outside the city centre. The hotel here has a rotating restaurant on the roof, and the district's position at the river junction makes it a distinct base from the central options.
4. Potong River area
The area next to the Potong River is about 4 km from the city centre and holds a first-class hotel with restaurants, a bar, a souvenir shop and a beauty salon.
This suits travellers who want a full-service base slightly removed from the centre. The distance from the middle of the city is the main practical consideration, since you will rely on your tour arrangements to move between here and the sights.
5. Kwangbok Street
Kwangbok Street is the location of a renovated first-class hotel with a pool, bars, internet and cable TV. It is a street address rather than a distinct quarter, so treat it as a base tied to that property.
This suits visitors who want on-site leisure facilities. As with all areas outside the Central District, how easily you reach the main sights depends on your tour itinerary rather than on walking distance.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: A small number of lower-category hotels exist, including the cheapest option in the city and the city's smallest hotel. Availability to foreign visitors is limited, and your tour company decides what you are offered.
- Mid-range: First-class hotels with restaurants, bars, shops and leisure facilities, some on the river or a short drive from the centre, and some on an island in the Taedong River.
- Splurge: The city's most luxurious properties, including a large hotel in the city centre near the train station and a tall island hotel with extensive facilities and a range of room classes.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the Central District. It keeps you in the middle of the city near the main sights and the train station area, rather than on an island or several kilometres out. The range of hotels there also gives your tour company more flexibility in what it can offer you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book a hotel in Pyongyang myself?
Accommodation is arranged by your tour company. You do not choose and book a property independently in the way you would in most cities.
Which area is best if I want to be near the main sights?
The Central District, where several hotels sit along Sungri Street and near the Pyongyang Grand Theatre. Staying on Yanggakdo Island or by the Potong River puts you further from the centre.
Are there budget options in Pyongyang?
There are lower-category hotels, including the cheapest in the city and the smallest, but the cheapest is rarely available to foreigners. What you are offered depends on your tour company.
What facilities can I expect at the larger hotels?
The larger properties include restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and, at some, a pool, a casino, a bowling alley or a rotating rooftop restaurant. Facilities vary by property.
Compare live prices and availability with the booking tools on this page before you confirm your tour arrangements.