Ever thought about getting a haircut in North Korea? When you hear this, there’s obviously one thing that comes to mind! However, contrary to media hysteria not everyone in the DPRK has to copy the leader or choose from an approved list of haircuts. In fact, it is even possible for foreigners to quite a neat haircut whilst in the country. One of the places that offers this service is in fact the Yanggakdo International Hotel, which in the basement has its own hair salon. Here, foreigners can get a cheap, yet quality and professional cut!
The Yangakkdo Hotel basement is full of surprises. To find the salon head down the stairs at the corner of the lobby and walk along the corridor right to the end until you see the bowling alley and a reception desk near it. The hair salon is here and should be marked with a sign. Just ask the staff at the desk for the service and they will get the hairdresser for you, typically a lady in her 50s. Unless you are completely unfamiliar with haircuts, how it works is no different to anywhere else in the world really.
As a result, getting a haircut in North Korea is not as difficult, intimidating or limited as it seems! Of course, it’s a bit bizarre and it’s certainly a story to tell, but it might even be worth it. Tourists who actually underwent the service were impressed by the procedure. They even got their hair shampooed and dried too!
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