Chillin' in the Cold: A Kimchaek Winter Escape
okay so i found myself in kimchaek recently, and let me tell you, it was an adventure. i mean, the weather was brutal-i just checked and it's -13.93°c there right now, feels like -20.93°c. hope you like that kind of thing. but hey, that's part of the charm, right? i wrapped myself in every layer i owned and ventured out to explore this hidden gem on the east coast of north korea. yeah, you heard that right-north korea. not your typical tourist spot, but that's exactly why i went.
kimchaek is a city that doesn't mess around. it's industrial, gritty, and full of character. i heard from a local that the steelworks here are legendary, though i didn't get to see them up close. apparently, they're a big deal. instead, i wandered around the port area, watching the waves crash against the docks. someone told me that the seafood here is some of the freshest in the country, but i couldn't verify that-language barriers and all. still, the vibe was cool, even if my fingers were freezing.
if you get bored, wonsan and hamhung are just a short drive away, but honestly, kimchaek had enough to keep me occupied for a couple of days. i checked out the local markets, where i overheard rumors about the best kimchi in the region. i didn't try it-i'm a vegetarian-but the locals seemed pretty passionate about it. one guy even said it could cure a hangover, which i found hilarious.
one thing i learned: kimchaek isn't about luxury or comfort. it's about raw, unfiltered experience. the kind of place where you feel like you're stepping into a different world. and honestly, that's what i was looking for. if you're into off-the-beaten-path travel, this might be your kind of spot. just pack warm-like, really warm.
for more info on traveling in north korea, check out TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet. and if you're curious about the local culture, Culture Trip has some great insights.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/setagayas-story-from-rice-paddies-to-ramen-shops
- https://topiclo.com/post/religious-and-cultural-diversity-in-warsaw-my-sleepdeprived-take-as-a-botanist
- https://topiclo.com/post/remote-work-in-teresina-is-it-a-digital-nomad-paradise-asking-for-a-friend-me
- https://topiclo.com/post/the-history-of-conakry-from-origins-to-modern-day-a-drummers-beat-through-time
- https://topiclo.com/post/seoul-vibes-drumming-through-the-streets-of-south-korea