Two-part travel documentary series presented by Michael Palin in which he is granted limited access to explore North Korea for two weeks. He begins in the capital Pyongyang and then travels to the Demilitarised Zone, the ancient city of Kaesong and the resort town of Wonsan. During the trip, he also celebrates his 75th birthday, visits Paektu Mountain, the tallest mountain in North Korea, and tries to learn more about life in North Korea.