Amazing 360-degree panoramic images show new sides of North Korea

By Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN
4 minute read
Updated 9:29 PM EDT, Wed July 22, 2015
Singaporean photographer Aram Pan toured North Korea and captured amazing 360-degree images. This shot shows the cockpit of an Air Koryo Ilyushin Il-18. Here's<a href="http://www.dprk360.com/360/air_koryo_Il-18/" target="_blank" target="_blank"> a 360-degree virtual tour of the plane</a>.
Inside Air Koryo —
Singaporean photographer Aram Pan toured North Korea and captured amazing 360-degree images. This shot shows the cockpit of an Air Koryo Ilyushin Il-18. Here's a 360-degree virtual tour of the plane.
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
Pan trekked up Paektu Mountain, a dormant volcano that is North Korea's highest. <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/15/politics/north-korea-kim-jong-un-executions/">Kim Jong Un</a>, the country's leader, was photographed atop the mountain in April, 2015. (See the 360 image below)
Scenic countryside —
Pan trekked up Paektu Mountain, a dormant volcano that is North Korea's highest. Kim Jong Un, the country's leader, was photographed atop the mountain in April, 2015. (See the 360 image below)
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
Pan visited the DMZ -- the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea -- and tried to get permission to set up his 360-degree cameras. <br />"It was difficult to explain to the officers and guards about the technology so I whipped out my iPhone and showed them samples," says Pan. "That immediately caught their attention and every single guard gathered around to play with the interactive virtual tours. At that moment, it was as though the war never existed, we were laughing, they were going 'wow' and everyone was excited. I got permission granted immediately and proceeded to capture this <a href="http://www.dprk360.com/360/panmunjom_jsa/" target="_blank" target="_blank">virtual tour</a>."
DMZ ice breaker —
Pan visited the DMZ -- the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea -- and tried to get permission to set up his 360-degree cameras.
"It was difficult to explain to the officers and guards about the technology so I whipped out my iPhone and showed them samples," says Pan. "That immediately caught their attention and every single guard gathered around to play with the interactive virtual tours. At that moment, it was as though the war never existed, we were laughing, they were going 'wow' and everyone was excited. I got permission granted immediately and proceeded to capture this virtual tour."
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
After the visit, this senior lieutenant followed Pan up the bus and accompanied him all the way out from the area. "All through the bus ride, he was playing with the 360 virtual tour," says Pan. "<a href="http://www.dprk360.com/360/pyongyang_aerial_view/" target="_blank" target="_blank">This particular 360 was his favorite</a>."<br />
The amused lieutenant —
After the visit, this senior lieutenant followed Pan up the bus and accompanied him all the way out from the area. "All through the bus ride, he was playing with the 360 virtual tour," says Pan. "This particular 360 was his favorite."
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
"A city dweller like me finds the North Korean countryside and mountains particularly spectacular," says Pan. "Somewhere along the beach of the North Hamgyong Province, North Korea. I could see what seems to be part of the milky way."
Milky way —
"A city dweller like me finds the North Korean countryside and mountains particularly spectacular," says Pan. "Somewhere along the beach of the North Hamgyong Province, North Korea. I could see what seems to be part of the milky way."
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
It's not unusual for foreigners to witness a local wedding ceremony at North Korea's Mansudae Grand Monument. Pan experienced something a little different at the Pyongyang Folklore Park, a themed garden with rental costumes for wedding couples. "I wanted to participate. We approached several couples and they all politely declined. Finally after half an hour of "preying" on couples, I found one that was willing to tolerate my intrusion. That's how I gatecrashed a wedding photo shoot," says Pan (second from the left, first row).
Aram Pan, the wedding crasher —
It's not unusual for foreigners to witness a local wedding ceremony at North Korea's Mansudae Grand Monument. Pan experienced something a little different at the Pyongyang Folklore Park, a themed garden with rental costumes for wedding couples. "I wanted to participate. We approached several couples and they all politely declined. Finally after half an hour of "preying" on couples, I found one that was willing to tolerate my intrusion. That's how I gatecrashed a wedding photo shoot," says Pan (second from the left, first row).
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
"The groomsmen all complain that she is too heavy and needs to lose weight," says Pan.
Groomsmen's joke —
"The groomsmen all complain that she is too heavy and needs to lose weight," says Pan.
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
It's one of the city's most popular postcard-picture worthy locations, but have you seen it in 360? <a href="http://www.dprk360.com/360/metro_yonggwang/" target="_blank" target="_blank">See a 360 image of the capital's metro station here</a>.
Pyongyang Metro —
It's one of the city's most popular postcard-picture worthy locations, but have you seen it in 360? See a 360 image of the capital's metro station here.
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
"I asked this boy the show me his most prized possessions and he brought out some books that were given by President Kim Jong-un," says Pan. Slowly gaining the trust from local officials, Pan has vistied the country six times and is allowed in places rarely seen before.
Proud boy —
"I asked this boy the show me his most prized possessions and he brought out some books that were given by President Kim Jong-un," says Pan. Slowly gaining the trust from local officials, Pan has vistied the country six times and is allowed in places rarely seen before.
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
Pyongyang's Italian pizzeria, opened in 2009, is another unexpected sight in the North Korean capital. <a href="http://www.dprk360.com/360/pyongyang_italian_restaurant/" target="_blank" target="_blank">See it in 360 degrees here</a>.
Pizza in North Korea —
Pyongyang's Italian pizzeria, opened in 2009, is another unexpected sight in the North Korean capital. See it in 360 degrees here.
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
The Arirang Mass Games -- an annual North Korean artistic festival -- were suspended in 2014 and 2015. Pan watched the <a href="http://www.dprk360.com/360/arirang2013/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mass Games in 2013</a>.
Mass Games —
The Arirang Mass Games -- an annual North Korean artistic festival -- were suspended in 2014 and 2015. Pan watched the Mass Games in 2013.
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
"For my last trip, the tour leader was an Australian who is 2.06 meters tall," says Pan. "He's considered a giant in North Korea and all the locals were incredibly curious about him. If the locals came up and chatted with us, he would also grab them and spin them around."
'My favorite story...' —
"For my last trip, the tour leader was an Australian who is 2.06 meters tall," says Pan. "He's considered a giant in North Korea and all the locals were incredibly curious about him. If the locals came up and chatted with us, he would also grab them and spin them around."
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
"This whole stretch is known as Chongun Rock," says Pan. "The valley is the border between China and North Korea. Cross this valley and you'll be in China. I expected to see barbed wire fences and heavily armed guards but there wasn't anyone around the entire stretch that we drove by."
Chongun Rock —
"This whole stretch is known as Chongun Rock," says Pan. "The valley is the border between China and North Korea. Cross this valley and you'll be in China. I expected to see barbed wire fences and heavily armed guards but there wasn't anyone around the entire stretch that we drove by."
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
Apart from the beautiful panoramic images, Pan records daily life during his trip and shares moments on Facebook. One of his photo albums is dedicated to North Korean fashions. His caption to this image reads: "It's official! Oversized fashion sunglasses have reached North Korea!"
North Korean style —
Apart from the beautiful panoramic images, Pan records daily life during his trip and shares moments on Facebook. One of his photo albums is dedicated to North Korean fashions. His caption to this image reads: "It's official! Oversized fashion sunglasses have reached North Korea!"
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
Pan discovered more local trends on display at the 12th Pyongyang Fashion Exhibition.
Fashion exhibition —
Pan discovered more local trends on display at the 12th Pyongyang Fashion Exhibition.
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
Pan has been shown around schools during his tours. Here he meets a cooking class where students learn about making Korean food.
Cooking class —
Pan has been shown around schools during his tours. Here he meets a cooking class where students learn about making Korean food.
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
Pan describes his trip to a local market as his most memorable day in North Korea. However, he wasn't allowed to take his cameras into the crowded area.
Local market —
Pan describes his trip to a local market as his most memorable day in North Korea. However, he wasn't allowed to take his cameras into the crowded area.
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
Pan is classified as a reporter when in North Korea and needs to wear a press armband while traveling in the country.
Aram Pan —
Pan is classified as a reporter when in North Korea and needs to wear a press armband while traveling in the country.
Aram Pan/DPRK 360
Amazing 360