More Singaporeans are now visiting North Korea.

This is following the hosting of the historic Trump-Kim summit in Singapore on June 12 this year, Channel 8 News reported.

Tour packages

Some 150 Singaporeans have signed up for tour packages to the isolated country, making it the highest figure in six years.

One 60-year-old local, Yan Qin Lei, who went on a 10 days, seven nights trip to North Korea, told Channel 8 News that besides the good food and interactions with the locals, she also saw the 70th founding anniversary parade on Sept. 9.

As for the rise in interest among Singaporeans in the "hermit kingdom", Qiu Wu Lie, an industry insider, said the positive media coverage of North Korea since the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February this year have helped.

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Singaporeans not really advised to go

However, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advising Singaporeans not to visit North Korea, unless necessary.

According to a Travel Advisory for North Korea issued on July 29, 2018, it said that despite the Trump-Kim summit, it is best to "avoid all non-essential travel" there.

This is because Singapore has no diplomatic representation in North Korea, thus limiting the consular help they can give to Singaporeans who go there.

North Korea, on the other hand, has an embassy here.

How to go?

But if you still want to go to North Korea, and if you do not mind the restrictions on your movement and behaviour, here are some of the available options (tourists must go on guided tours):

1. Universal Travel Corporation offers a nine-day tour from S$2,399 onwards.
2. Explore North Korea offers a four-day tour (price unknown).
3. Country Holidays offers four-day and five-day tours for S$3,050 and S$3,395 respectively.

Most of these tour agencies will bring you to Pyongyang via a city in China, such as Beijing, Dandong or Shenyang, using plane or train services.

And in case you're wondering, while Singapore has one of the world's most powerful passport, Singaporeans have to get a visa that costs €50 (S$80) to enter North Korea.

For China, however, Singaporeans can enter without a visa and stay for no more than 15 days.

Things to take note of while you're there

Hotel

All tourists have to stay at the Yanggakdo International Hotel, a building not without its controversies.

It is equipped with a bar, a gift stall, a room full of pool tables, a casino, a swimming pool and a bowling alley.

Although the North Korean Tourist board rates the Yanggakdo Hotel as a five-star hotel, tourist reviews said it is closer to 3.5 stars.

There, you will have to stay within certain areas and whatever you do, do not remove anything from its place.

In 2015, American student Otto Wambier was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour for allegedly removing a propaganda poster at this hotel.

Unfortunately, he died on June 19 this year.

Minders

According to Singapore Tatler, two North Korean minders will be assigned to each tour group.

They are there to make sure you do not stray from your designated areas or do what you are not supposed to.

They can also order you to delete whatever pictures you have taken that do not show North Korea in a positive light.

They will keep your passports in the meantime for you too.

While you can ask them questions, it is generally advised to listen to what they are saying and agree with them.

And of course, try not to ask politically-sensitive questions that might get you in trouble.

Also, don't forget to buy some gifts for them, such as chocolates and cigarettes.

Food

There, you can visit the famous Pyongyang restaurant Okryu Gwan, and try some Pyongyang-style cold noodles, or raengmyŏn.

If you wish, you can try some sushi made from terrapins at the Taedong River Seafood Restaurant too.

Craving for some "Western" food? You can go get some fast food -- a Singaporean was the first to open a fast-food chain in Pyongyang -- or some Italian pizza and pasta.

Last but not least, you can try some street food and get a cup of coffee at the Vienna coffee house near the Kim Jong Il Square.

To go, or not to go

Whether or not it is ethical to visit North Korea has long been debated upon.

Tourists visiting North Korea have been criticised as helping to prop up the Kim regime and inevitably contributing to the country's nuclear programme.

But some others say that if they want North Korea to open up, the country should be exposed to as many foreigners as possible.

More of our coverage on North Korea here:

Top image via Martyn See