The route from Beijing to Pyonyang passes a quiet platform.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
A rail worker stands on the platform at the Pyongyang train station.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
A railcar lingers in Pyongyang train station. Tourists are not permitted to travel on domestic trains in North Korea.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
A passenger gazes out the windows of the train from Beijing to Pyongyang.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
People gather on the platform in the Pyongyang train station.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
Mounds of construction materials line the track en route to Rason.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
A locomotive sits on the track approaching Rason.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
Passengers rest on the train from Beijing to Pyongyang.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
The train passes a stark railcar on the route to Rason, which is situated near the Russian and Chinese borders.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
A rail worker peers outside the train window at the passing landscape.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
The Juche Tower is a monument in the North Korean capital.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
The interior of a hotel room in Nampo, a city and seaport in South Pyongan Province, is decorated with bright details.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
An empty cooler sits in the corner of a hotel in Nampo, North Korea.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
Pastel flowers line the grass at Mangyongdae Native House, the birthplace of Kim Il Sung just outside Pyongyang.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
Pyongyang is the largest city in North Korea.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
A vendor sits outside Mangyongdae Native House.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
Commuters take an escalator in the Pyongyang metro.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
The train to Rason cuts through lush fields.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
A passenger gazes out at the landscape on the way from Pyongyang to Rason.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
A large painting decorates a building in Rason.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
A scenic viewing point on Pipha Island overlooks the Sea of Japan.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
Children participate in classroom activities at an orphanage in Rason.
Photograph by Davide Monteleone, National Geographic
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