military bases converted into resorts. But only one city can be visited

The North Korea reopen the borders to turismo international after 5 years of closure due to the pandemic Covid. The news came after two Chinese tour operators announced that from December it will be possible to visit the city of Samjiyon, in the mountains, in the north of the country. Other cities can be visited later, including the capital Pyongyang.

Samjyon, the city opened between resorts and hotels

The city that will be reopened was not chosen by chance: in recent years it has been the recipient of many government investments aiming to make it attractive to foreign tourists, especially Russian and Chinese. An airport, railways, hotels and aa were built in Samjiyon the military ski base has been converted into a resort.

Samjiyŏn is located on the eastern border with China and is a famous place: in fact, Mount Paektu is located there, one of the highest peaks in the country and one of the symbols of North Korea. It was here that the country’s founder Kim Il-sung, grandfather of Kim Jong Un, fought against the Japanese occupation forces and launched the revolution.

On this mountain, Kim Jong Un had taken a picture in 2019 of a white horse in the snow. Samjiyŏn is the least populated city in North Korea.

North Korea, the international shutdown

The lonely kingdom closed its borders in 2020 after the Covid-19 pandemic. a closure that not only affected tourism but also the import of essential goods and this had also caused food shortages and problems for the population. In addition, the country is subject to heavy international sanctions due to its nuclear program.

One of the most mysterious destinations in the world

The news was announced by the Chinese group KTG, which is specially visiting the country Kim Jong-unwhich, while not yet giving exact dates, announces “probably for December 2024” being able to visit “one of the most mysterious and least visited destinations on earth – world”.

The hypothesis, also according to previous itineraries shared on the Ktg tour website, giving access to the country by train or plane leaving from Beijing towards the North Korean capital of Pyongyang: from there transfer, by train or plane from the national airline Air Koryo, to Samjiyon.

Currently only the city of Samjiyon is officially confirmed as a destination to visit in the future – we read in a statement from the Chinese group KTG Tours of Shenyang on its Facebook page. “But we believe that Pyongyang and other places will also open up.” Tourists could “possibly” visit other parts of North Korea in December, according to Beijing-based travel agency Koryo Tour.