Passenger trains between North Korea and China have recently resumed service after a six-year hiatus, prompting Chinese travel agencies to start selling group tour packages to North Korea.
While this expansion of exchanges between North Korea and China has led to speculation about the revival of North Korean tourism, the North Korean government hasn’t shown any signs of reopening its borders to tourists. This has created conflicting opinions about whether these Chinese travel packages will actually come to fruition. Experts believe the final decision ultimately lies with Pyongyang.
On Wednesday, reports from the Chinese travel industry revealed that travel agencies in major cities like Beijing are promoting North Korean tour packages on social media platforms such as Douyin (China’s TikTok equivalent) and collecting deposits from interested travelers.
One of the tour packages on offer starts in Beijing, with tourists traveling by train into North Korea. The itinerary includes visits to iconic locations such as Pyongyang, Kaesong, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and the scenic Mount Kumgang. These packages typically last for eight days and seven nights, with prices ranging from 4,680 to 9,380 CNY (about 681 to 1,364 USD).
However, there’s a catch: the travel agencies clearly state that departure dates will only be confirmed after receiving approval from North Korean authorities. This caveat underscores the uncertainty surrounding the actual resumption of tourism. While agencies are accepting bookings, the viability of these trips hinges entirely on North Korea’s decisions.
This development is particularly noteworthy given the recent resumption of passenger train services between North Korea and China. International trains connecting Pyongyang to Beijing and Dandong recommenced operations on March 12.
While the restart of train services is seen as a positive sign for increased people-to-people exchanges and potentially paves the way for tourism, North Korea is still treading cautiously.
In a surprising move, North Korea recently canceled the Pyongyang International Marathon, which was scheduled for April 5. This decision came as a shock, especially since participant recruitment had been completed and fees had already been collected. The Pyongyang Marathon, which typically draws hundreds of international participants each year, has been a significant source of foreign currency for the country. This unexpected cancellation suggests that North Korea remains hesitant about fully reopening its doors to foreign tourists.