If you’re walking through the Munsu area of Pyongyang on a Tuesday afternoon, the first thing you’ll probably hear isn’t propaganda music. It’s screaming. Not the scary kind, but that high-pitched, lung-bursting shrieking people do when they’re barreling down a vertical drop on a plastic slide.
Munsu Water Park is a weird place. Honestly, it’s one of the few spots in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) where the rigid, synchronized vibe of the country kinda just... evaporates into a mist of chlorine and chaos.
I’ve seen plenty of photos of the place. They usually show the same thing: bright primary colors, massive slides, and locals in "socialist-style" swimsuits splashing around. But there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface of this 37-acre complex than just a few loops and a wave pool.
Why Munsu Water Park Matters More Than You Think
Most people assume this place is just a "showpiece" for the elite. While there’s some truth to the idea that Pyongyang residents are the "upper crust" of North Korean society, the park is actually packed with thousands of regular people—students, factory workers, and families—especially on Sundays or national holidays.
It was built in just nine months. That’s absurdly fast. Kim Jong Un reportedly visited the site multiple times during construction in 2013, personally obsessing over the number of slides. He actually rejected the initial plans because they only had about five or seven slides. He wanted more. He ended up pushing for 14.
The message was clear: this wasn't just a pool; it was a "world-class" statement.
🔗 Read more: UNESCO World Heritage Places: What Most People Get Wrong About These Landmarks
The Layout: Indoor vs. Outdoor
The park is split into two main sections.
- The Outdoor Area: This is massive. It feels like a standard Western water park, except for the giant mural of Kim Jong Il in the lobby. You’ve got the racing slides, the "lazy river" where you can float on a tube, and a pretty intense diving pool.
- The Indoor Section: This is the real MVP because it’s open year-round. It’s got a wave pool, smaller slides for kids, and these strangely realistic artificial rock formations designed to look like the famous Mt. Myohyang.
What It’s Actually Like Inside
When you walk in, you’re greeted by a life-sized wax statue of Kim Jong Il. Visitors usually bow. It’s a stark reminder of where you are before you go strip down into a rented swimsuit.
The Haircut Situation
This is my favorite "hidden" detail about Munsu Water Park. It’s not just about swimming. On the second floor, there’s a full-service hair salon and a barber. You can literally go in for a 4-lane race slide and leave with a state-approved blow-dry.
I’ve heard from travelers that the barber shop is actually one of the best places to interact with locals. It’s less formal. You’re just two guys getting a haircut. The prices are surprisingly low—about €5 for a cut—and sometimes the stylists might even sing while they work. No joke.
Food and "Western" Comforts
If you get hungry, there’s a buffet and a cafe. They serve "Western-style" food, which basically means burgers and fries. Fun fact: they often use Heinz ketchup. It’s one of those weird globalization glitches you see in Pyongyang.
💡 You might also like: Tipos de cangrejos de mar: Lo que nadie te cuenta sobre estos bichos
There’s also a bar and a billiards room. It’s a very "resort" vibe in the middle of a country that most people associate with starvation and military parades.
The Cost of a Dip
For a local, the price is subsidized and relatively cheap in North Korean Won. For a foreigner, it’s a different story.
You’ll usually pay an entrance fee of about €2, but that’s just to get through the door. If you actually want to swim, it’s another €10. That covers your locker, a towel, and the rental of a swimsuit (unless you brought your own).
If you want the "VIP" experience, foreigners are often given fast passes to skip the lines. It feels a bit awkward when there’s a 40-minute wait for the big slide and you just walk to the front, but that’s how the system is set up for tourists.
Does It Actually Work?
People ask if the water is heated or if the slides are safe.
📖 Related: The Rees Hotel Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences: Why This Spot Still Wins Queenstown
- The Water: In the indoor section, it’s kept warm enough for year-round use.
- The Safety: The construction was handled by the "soldier-builders" of the Korean People's Army. They used a "design-build" system that’s actually pretty efficient. While it might look retro, the slides are generally well-maintained.
- The Hygiene: You are required to take a full shower with soap and shampoo (provided) before you’re allowed in the pools. They’re very strict about this.
The New Competition: Wonsan Kalma
As of 2025 and 2026, Munsu isn't the only game in town anymore. The government recently opened the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area. It’s a massive beachside resort with its own water parks, designed to hold up to 20,000 guests.
While Munsu is the urban "Pyongyang" staple, Wonsan Kalma is the new "international" target, aiming to bring in Russian tourists and eventually others.
Actionable Tips for the Curious
If you ever find yourself planning a trip to the DPRK (when borders are fully open and your government allows it), here is how to handle a visit to Munsu:
- Go on a Sunday: This is the only way to see the park when it’s truly alive. Weekdays can be a bit quiet and eerie.
- Bring Euros: Most transactions for foreigners in the park are done in Euros or RMB. Don't expect to use a credit card.
- Visit the Sauna: The indoor section has an agate and salt sauna. It’s genuinely relaxing and a great way to decompress after a long day of touring monuments.
- Don't skip the coffee: The "Sunrise Coffee" shop on the second floor is widely considered to serve some of the best coffee in Pyongyang.
Munsu Water Park serves as a bizarre bridge between the North Korea people see on the news and the North Korea that actually lives there. It’s a place of contradictions—where you bow to a statue and then immediately go down a 30-foot drop into a pool of chlorinated water.