Nampo Hot Spring Resort is a facility well-known for its therapeutic hot springs, popular with both locals and a limited number of foreign visitors. The resort features multiple baths, including indoor and outdoor pools, where one can soak and relax while enjoying the reputed health benefits of the mineral-rich waters. The minerals in the water are said to help with a variety of ailments, from skin conditions to digestive disorders. Aside from bathing, the resort area also offers a glimpse into North Korean's approach to health and recreation, within a controlled environment. Moreover, the journey to Nampo goes through some of the rural landscapes of North Korea, offering a fresher perspective outside the capital, Pyongyang.
The West Sea Barrage, also known as the Nampo Dam, is an impressive feat of engineering stretching across the Taedong River. Constructed in the 1980s, this massive structure stands as a proud symbol of North Korea’s industrial capabilities. Visitors to the Barrage can learn about its construction and the role it plays in controlling the water level, preventing floods, and providing an important shipping route. Adjacent visitor centers provide detailed explanations, complete with dioramas and films. A trip to the West Sea Barrage can be a fascinating insight into North Korean infrastructure, as well as an opportunity to witness the scale of projects undertaken by the regime.
Visitors with an interest in industrial tours can visit the Chollima Steel Complex, which stands as a symbol of North Korea’s push towards rapid economic development during the Chollima Movement. Named after the mythical winged horse that could fly great distances, this complex represents the determined effort of the North Korean people to reconstruct their country after the Korean War. Tours usually include an overview of the historic significance of the complex and a walk through some of its facilities. This activity provides a unique lens into the industrial sector of North Korea and showcases a key aspect of its economic history.
Nampo Orphanage is an institution where visitors can engage with the care system for children without guardians. Trips to the orphanage typically involve a tour of the facilities, including living quarters, dining halls, and educational rooms. Visitors may interact with children under the careful supervision of staff, offering a humbling and perhaps enlightening view into the social aspects of North Korean society. While tour agencies must arrange visits in advance and activities are closely managed by government minders, experiences such as this can foster a deeper understanding of humanitarian issues within the country.
Located near Nampo, the Ryonggang Hot Spring House offers another opportunity for those looking to unwind in North Korea. This resort comprises several individual bathhouses, each equipped with its own hot spring tub, feeding directly from the natural mineral waters underground. The experience is both luxurious and unique, with the solace and quietude of the surroundings adding to the overall sense of relaxation. As with other such facilities, the waters here are believed to have healing properties, and visitors are invited to embrace the local tradition of bathing in these natural springs.
