1 month ago
9
Tourists will soon be allowed to visit the mountainous northern city of Samjiyon in December, according to a report, citing at least two China-based tour operators read more
 "North Korea reopens to tourists after five years of border closure, but conditions apply")
In July, Kim Jong Un announced plans to upgrade Samjiyon airport, transform a military ski base into a resort, and build new railways and hotels to attract visitors from "friendly" countries. Reuters File
After sealing itself off at the start of Covid pandemic in early 2020, North Korea will finally reopen one city to foreign tourists in December nearly after five years of border closures.
According to a BBC report, citing at least two China-based tour operators, tourists will soon be allowed to visit the mountainous northern city of Samjiyon.
Reclusive North Korea began to ease its restrictions only in the middle of last year.
The border closures had also halted imports of crucial goods, exacerbating food shortages that were further intensified by international sanctions related to the country’s nuclear programme.
“So far just Samjiyon has been officially confirmed but we think that Pyongyang and other places will open too!!!” BBC quoted Shenyang’s KTG Tours as writing on its Facebook page on Wednesday.
Beijing’s Koryo Tour said tourists could “potentially” visit other parts of North Korea in December.
“Having waited for over four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again,” BBC quoted Beijing’s Koryo Tour as saying on its website.
Samjiyon, located at the base of North Korea’s tallest mountain Paektu, is famous for its winter attractions.
Paektu, straddling the China-North Korea border, is celebrated in Pyongyang’s propaganda as the site where Kim Il Sung fought Japanese forces and where Kim Jong Il was born.
In recent years, Samjiyon has seen significant redevelopment. In July, Kim Jong Un announced plans to upgrade its airport, transform a military ski base into a resort, and build new railways and hotels to attract visitors from “friendly” countries, reported BBC, citing the state media.
According to the report, citing KCNA, at that time the Mount Paektu-Samjiyon zone was envisioned to be a “four-season mountainous tourist area to meet the cultural and emotional needs of the people on the highest level and revitalise international tourism.”
North Korea has only allowed Russian tourists to enter the country since early 2024, amid warming ties between the two nations.
One of the tour companies, Koryo Tours, told the BBC that the North Korean authorities were allowing tourists from any country to join the trips, apart from South Korea. However, the US bans its citizens from travelling to North Korea.
It was only in August last year that North Korea allowed the return of citizens who were locked out because of border controls, one of the last few countries to do so.
Since early 2024, North Korea has only allowed Russian tourists to enter, marking improved relations between the two countries.
According to BBC, citing Koryo Tours, North Korean authorities have allowed tourists from various countries to join trips, except South Korea. However, US citizens remain prohibited from traveling to North Korea.
North Korea only resumed allowing its citizens to return in August of last year, being among the last countries to lift such border restrictions.
With inputs from agencies
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·