Global Interest: Tour of the DPRK

Currently, the number of tourists to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is on constant increase, and the global interest in touring the country is showing a growing tendency.

It is, first of all, related to abundant tourist resources in this country.

The DPRK, called a “Land of Morning Calm” from time immemorial, is rich in natural resources for tourism.

In the northern part of the country there is Mt. Paektu (2 750 metres) which is capped with snow in all seasons, demonstrating its grandiose natural beauty. On it is Lake Chon, the largest of its kind in the world. The area of the mountain has been registered as an international biosphere reserve as it presents mysterious and singular natural phenomena and splendid sights of myriads of fantastic rocks and various species of fauna and flora in the primeval forests.

Mts. Kumggang and Chilbo strike visitors with admiration for their beautiful scenery of valleys, mountains and seashore on the east coast. And Mts. Myohyang and Kuwol located in the western region are also scenic spots that can never be missed by tourists.

Cerebrated mountains and scenic spots in the country not only preserve their natural beauty but also are free from environmental pollution.

There are many historical relics and remains in the country which is honoured with the history of 5 000 years.

Typical examples include the Mausoleum of King Tangun where the remains of Tangun, founding-father of the Korean nation, are preserved; Mausoleum of King Tongmyong, founder of Koguryo (277 B.C.-A.D. 668), the strongest nation in the medieval East; the 80 000 Blocks of the Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures, the oldest of its kind in the world; mural tombs of the period of Koguryo that have been registered as world cultural heritage; and the historical relics and remains in Kaesong.

There are also numerous structures of lasting value showing the aspects of the age and development of contemporary Korea, including the Tower of the Juche Idea (170 metres), which is the highest of its kind in the world; the Arch of Triumph, which is the largest of its kind in the world; and the 8-km-long West Sea Barrage, which is bigger than the Rance Tidal Power Station in France. The Rason Economic and Trade Zone, which is emerging as a hub of international trade and investment, and the world-standard ski resort on Masik Pass are also focusing tourists’ attention.

Second, the country offers diversified and interesting forms of tourism.

Of late, it has developed specialized tourist modes of various themes such as culture, sports, medical treatment, ecology, aviation, cycling, mountaineering, driving by means of private cars and visit to economic objects, to say nothing of ordinary sightseeing tour.

Aviation tour, composed of seeing, photographing and boarding of full-sized airplanes of different types that the country possesses, is enjoying special popularity among tourists. They are expressing their admiration to the fact that the country still has various types of civilian airplanes high in technical conditions and excellent in preservation of their appearance in spite of their old vintage and long flight service, and that it is one of the few countries in the world which is capable of keeping old-fashioned airplanes on the highest degree of safety.

Cultural tour which enables tourists to obtain a better understanding of the country’s history and culture is also welcomed; the tour includes enjoying the performance by the National Symphony Orchestra, visiting a world-ranking art studio, looking round the Pyongyang Folk Park, a miniature of the 5 000-year-long history of the country, tasting the peculiar Korean dishes and experiencing folk customs.

Medical treatment by spa, mud and mineral water leaves a deep impression on visitors.

Tour of visit to economic objects such as a modern ostrich farm and the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm stirs up interests of tourists as they present the real aspects of production activities of the Korean people who are striving to build a thriving nation.

Tourists can also tour the country while driving their own cars.

A wide variety of tourist itineraries, ranging from one day to 15 days according to courses, are available in the country. The itinerary, if wanted, may be limitless.

Third, conditions for tourism in the country have constantly been improved.

The country, which attaches importance to developing tourism, has been laying out in a more excellent way the areas of scenic beauty, including Wonsan and Mt. Chilbo, and the sightseeing courses linking these areas are in the development stage.

In 2013 alone, a large number of modern sports and cultural facilities, such as a ski resort in the region of Masik Pass in the eastern part, and the Munsu Water Park and Mirim Riding Club in Pyongyang, have mushroomed around the country for the development of tourism.

Majon Hotel, Hyangsan Hotel, Yombunjin Hotel and many other hotels have been built or renovated so as to ensure satisfactory service to tourists.

With renovation of the Rajin Port-Wonjong road, traffic for the tour of Rason Economic and Trade Zone has been improved, and charter train service for the tour of Mt. Chilbo started to provide convenience to tourists. In 2013 irregular airlines from Shanghai, Harbin, Xian and Yanji, China, and between Kuala Lumpur and Pyongyang were opened.

The country has taken a series of measures to simplify the exit and entry procedure for the convenience of travellers and to render satisfactory service by interpreters and vehicles.

It is channelling its efforts to expanding cooperation with World Tourism Organization, Asia-Pacific Tourism Association and other international travel organizations, and state-travel agencies and companies in many countries of the world. In 2013 the Second DPRK-China Economic, Trade, Culture and Tourism Expo was held in Dandong, a border city of China, as part of cooperation project.

As is generally known, the country possesses a strong, reliable war deterrent. This enables it to guarantee peace and stability indispensable to tourism.

Go to the DPRK, a mysterious country in the East, a country not widely known to many tourists.