North Korea is a land of contradictions. Because of its communist state, tourism is not something that is encouraged. Still you can get into North Korea, but it is not a place for a family vacation. A visit to North Korea will require that you are part of an accepted group.

Myohyangsan

Taking the bus from Pyongyang will bring you to this mountain, waterfall and museum. Because of its communist persuasion, this attraction has the distinction of being untouched by mass tourism as so many treasures of the Orient can attest to. In the summer, this site is the place to be with its abundance of fragrant flowers. Most visit the site because of the two shrines that are considered to be vast areas where you can observe all the presents that have been gifted to the president with an eternal distinction, Kim II Sung.

Paekdusan

This site is home to one of the most stunning vistas that can be found in all of North Korea. It boasts a volcanic mountaintop that features at its center a crater lake that comes with key importance to the Korean people because of its mythical properties. The volcano is now extinct, but its presence is still revered by its denizens.

Panmunjeom

American imperialism is on display at this war memorial to the Korean population. It was here that the end of a long and bloody battle was called to an end and the North Korean people are more than happy to show what interference can do to a country. Coming to Panmunjeom gives the visitor a unique perspective of a war that has always been questioned for its end results.

So if you are an adventurous traveler, then visiting North Korea will not daunt you and you can come away from your experience a little wiser and a lot more thankful.

Laos is unique in that for a socialist country it has opened its doors to tourists. Since the latter part of the 1990s, Laos has been happy to welcome visitors from all over the globe. The reason behind their campaign to attract tourists, “Visit Laos” was because the economy was in a downward spiral and it was thought that tourism dollars would help to boost the economy. Lucky travelers can now experience the wonder of the sights and sounds of Laos.

Khone Phapheng is the largest waterfall that can be found in Southeast Asia. Located at Si Phan Don at its southern end, it is also considered home to Irrawadaddy dolphins, a rare species. The waterfall is a stunning sight and the presence of the dolphins makes it even more so. Day trips for viewing the dolphins often include a visit to Khone Phapheng.

Another important sight in Laos is Pha That Luang. Not only is this monument important for its relation to the Buddhist religion, it is also a monumnet to the sovereignty of Laos. Looking upon it from a distance, it gives the impression of a cluster of gilded missiles. In the early part of November, the temple is the location of one of Laos’ major festivals.

Pak Ou Caves can only be reached by boat and one can be caught at Ban Pak Ou. It is a spectacular sight as the setting is carved into a cliff made of limestone that faces the river. Inside the cave there are a plethora of images of Buddha in every style and shape, but many of them represent the classic standing Buddha, Luang Prabang. Tours are easily arranged by tour operators as well as many of Laos’ guest houses.

Other popular places to visit in Laos are the cities of Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang was given the distinction of being honored as a Unesco World Heritage city for its stunning, tranquil natural surroundings as well as its unique and beautiful architecture. This city is one of the top tourist destinations in Laos.