Behind the curtain: Fascinating pictures from inside North Korea give a rare glimpse inside the secretive Communist state


A vivid photo collection takes viewers inside the secretive world of the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea and shows just how unreal the Hermit Kingdom can be.

From the eerily quiet streets of Pyongyang to the dated, Soviet era clothing of the nation's citizens, the photos are a glimpse into a nation with nearly nothing in common with most of the 21st century world.

Perhaps most astonishing is the DPRK's signature Mass Games, where tens of thousands of strictly trained performers show off their perfectly choreographed dances, marches, and gymnastics.

Debbie Pappyn from the website Classe Touriste , call the Mass Games, or Arirang, 'A mind-blowing event (we went two times) that can only be witnessed here in the DPRK.'

These striking pictures, taken by David de Vleeschauwer, are the closest most will ever get to the 'other' Korea. Others will be inspired enough to make the trip into the strange land.



Though not many. According to Pappyn, only around 5000 Westerners--around half of whom are Americans--make it to the DPRK each year.

Let the soldier be your guide: Welcome to North Korea, where all Western visitors are accompanied by at least two North Korean guides in military-style uniforms



Smiling: The common people of North Korea are often portrayed as starving slaves in Western media but these few, at least, manage to smile

Hotel of doom: The famous Ryugyong Hotel has been slowly rising over the Pyongyang skyline since the late 1980s and the North Koreans claim it will have 3,000 rooms when finally complete Both men and women are conscripted into the military in North Korea. At right, a female tour guide in military uniform wears a pin of Kim Il Sung, the founding leader of the DPRK

Lock step: Only around 5000 Westerners venture behind the final Bamboo Curtain each year. One major draw is the nation's Mass Games

Peace loving? The celebration with around 100,000 participants marks the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the Korean war

Like living paintings: The vibrant Mass Games, or Arirang, is a testament to the culture's group mind. Though beautiful, the games are a also a sort of acting out of totalitarianism



Acrobatic: The Mass Games always include impressive gymnastics displays

In sync: Thousands of participants hold up colorful boards that, together, display a picture

Beautiful: The stunning displays of the power of acting in unison happen once per year in celebration of the end of hostilities with the South. Here, children hold colorful squares that together appear as huge works of art

Embattled: Much of the games, like much of North Korean culture, smacks of militarism and of constant reminders of their war with America and their southern neighbors

Everybody volunteers: The 100,000 or so Mass Games participants are made up of North Koreans both young and old

Western influence? In a staunchly anti-Western nation, a bowling alley stands out as a rather American destination complete with balls made in the USA

North Korea adds a paint brush to the familiar Soviet hammer and sickle as part of the Workers' Party of Korea symbolism

Clean and quiet: Pyongyang is famously uniform and eerily empty