Every outdoor stand you see in tourist locations in Kaesong has pretty much the same few things for sale:
A selection of North Korean booze, three flavours of two-years-past-the-sell-by-date cola, warm bottled water, ginseng products, and cookies.
They charge in US$, and generally will not give you change. They'll tell you to buy untill you've spent your money, so take lots of $1 bills for drinks if it's hot out.
Written Jul 14, 2008
Every stand you see in Kaesong has pretty much the same few things for sale:
A selection of North Korean booze, three flavours of two-years-past-the-sell-by-date cola, warm bottled water, and cookies.
The souvenir shop at the Folk hotel has a much better selection. Books, music, paintings, embroidery, pictures, etc...
Not many of the books were in English, but I managed to find a few... bought "Japan's War Crimes-Past and Present". Figured it wouldn't be frowned upon coming through South Korean customs... I was looking for a Kim Jong Il lapel pin that all the North Koreans were wearing, but had no luck in purchasing one.
Also got a flag pin for my bag, and a bottle of ginseng booze. Shop prices were relatively cheap.
book $4, pin $1, bottle $13
What to pay: Whatever you buy, expect to use US$. I had an older bill refused, take newer issued bills.
Written Jul 14, 2008
What to buy: According to the glossy North Korean guidebook old Cliffie found in Pyongyang, the ginseng grown around Kaesong has "an invigorating and fatigue-relieving effect which increases mental and physical efficiency and is especially effective in promoting health and longevity". Old Cliffie could have done with some after a night on the Taedonggang beer!
Written Jun 5, 2008
1 - 3 of 3
Reviews and photos of Kaesong attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Kaesong sightseeing.

According to the glossy North Korean guidebook old Cliffie found in Pyongyang, the ginseng grown around Kaesong has "an invigorating and fatigue-relieving...
Our members can help!
1
On the Far Side of the Kimchee Curtain... Kaesong

Kaesong is a city with some history behind it. The original capital of Koryo (918 A.D. - 1392 A.D.), the capital was then moved to Hanyang, what is now the area of Seoul, after an assassination and...
2

Old Cliffie took this photo of the main street in Kaesong – a town with a population of 150000 - in the early afternoon of a normal working day. There was not a lot of traffic. In fact, the traffic......
3
Big on history but near big trouble

Kaesong lies right in the south of the country, just a few miles from Panmunjom and the demilitarised zone. We came here down the empty 4-lane Reunification Highway from Pyongyang and stayed overnight...
4

Kaesong hosted many military meetings during the Korean Conflict. In so much, neither side wanted to be in jeopardy of getting caught in the cross fire. Therefore even though it is not in the current...
5

I've got some interesting experiences in Kaesong. I'd love to share with you the 2 tips I've written, the 3 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
Build your own Kaesong page