North Korea is cautiously reopening its doors to foreign tourists after years of pandemic-induced isolation, with Chinese tour agencies leading the charge.
The highlight of this revival is the Kim Jong-il “Birthday Tour,” a special trip to Rason, a city in the country’s northeast, timed to coincide with the 16 February birthday of the late leader Kim Jong-il.
The tour, organised by Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based agency specialising in North Korean travel, marks the first opportunity for foreign visitors to explore the reclusive nation since international travel was halted due to COVID-19. Priced at €706 (approximately $722), the four-night itinerary in Rason includes visits to local factories, markets, and cultural attractions such as a Taekwondo show, with an additional two nights in Yanji, China.
While the February tour is confirmed, subsequent trips in March and April depend on the reopening of the Rason border, which remains uncertain. Another operator, Young Pioneer Tours, has also begun accepting applications for a March departure, signalling growing interest in North Korean tourism among Chinese travellers.
North Korea has long viewed tourism as a potential source of foreign currency, and the upcoming opening of the Kalma tourist zone on the east coast in June underscores this strategy. Rason, a special economic zone near the Chinese border, has emerged as a key destination for visitors seeking a rare glimpse into the isolated country.
The resumption of tours is being closely watched in South Korea, where analysts see it as a sign of North Korea’s efforts to revive its economy amid ongoing international sanctions. For now, the Kim Jong-il “Birthday Tour” offers a rare opportunity for adventurous travellers to explore a nation largely closed to the outside world.
