Now, almost five years later, they’ve just re-opened, allowing the tourists to flock to the traditional travel hotspot known for its nightlife and freedom of expression.
Chinese tour companies have begun operating there once again, with tours available to people from pretty much all nationalities, as long as it is through one of those selected companies.
We at get lost predict one day, probably in the very distant future, North Korea will have its travel boom. Travellers will be curious to go – borrowing a term from 1989 – ‘behind the curtain’, and discover life in this mysterious hermit country. Volcanic mountains and decent ski/snowboarding are top of the list, and the very few who have visited have spoken about a cuisine completely untouched by western influence.
But that all would need to wait until the Kim dynasty finishes up, which doesn’t look like happening any time soon.
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The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) Smart Traveller website has a “do not travel” note in place for North Korea. get lost is all for travel to far-flung places, but we agree with this warning – travel to North Korea is still under extremely tight restrictions, and any money that goes into a tour goes toward supporting an oppressive, totalitarian dictatorship.
Five pretty wild travel facts about North Korea
1. Jeans are illegal. Everywhere. Leave your Levis and Dejours at home.
2.Construction of the Ryugyong Hotel, the 1,080 foot pyramid-shaped skyscraper which dominates Pyongyang’s skyline began in in August 1987. It has never been finished. The North Korean Government is allegedly looking to turn it into a casino.
3. The Masikryong Ski Resort is the country’s first ski resort, and supposedly has some pretty decent slopes. The resort, which we visited about 10 years ago, has been described as a “prestigious propaganda project for the regime.”
4. Paektu Mountain, shared with China, is the country’s highest point. It last erupted in 1903.
5. Air Koryo is the country’s official, and only, commercial airline.
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