North Korea was inaccessible to tourists for a long time, but since February the isolated dictatorship has allowed holidaymakers to enter the country again. The first visitors to take advantage of this opportunity were about 100 Russians. The tour group came to the East Asian country to ski – and now reports on what to expect from such a bumpy trip.
When you think of powder snow and fun on the slopes, you probably don’t think of North Korea. But dozens of Russians decided to visit the exotic holiday destination in February. After all, holidaymakers do not have many options to travel abroad due to the sanctions imposed due to the Russian war of aggression.
Impressions from the ski area:
Flight with the worst airline in the world
From the start, a small adventure awaited the holidaymakers: the North Korean state airline Air Koryo was waiting for the amateur winter sports enthusiasts. It is an airline of superlatives – named the worst in the world by consumer organization Skytrax. The planes are museum-worthy and are not even allowed to land at most airports in the EU.
“Like a journey into the past”
The Russian tourists spent a lot on their vacation: they reportedly spent $750 for three days of skiing and a sightseeing tour. This price included a dedicated watchdog to keep an eye on holidaymakers. Individual trips are not allowed; you can only visit the country in groups. “It’s like a journey back in time. There is absolutely no advertising in the city. All that can be seen are party slogans, flags and so on,” CNN quoted a travel blogger.
Photos of Russian tourists after arriving at the airport of the capital Pyongyang:
Holiday with many rules
The most beautiful sights were also on the program. These include the bronze statues of late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, Mansu Hill and the Mangyongdae Student Palace. However, the holidaymakers had to adhere to strict rules: “We were asked not to photograph soldiers or people in uniform in general. The construction sites and buildings under construction were also taboo,” said one of the travelers. They were also trained in how to handle portraits or sculptures of North Korean dictators. “If you have a newspaper or magazine with a photo of the leader, you should not fold the newspaper in such a way that the portrait wrinkles.”
Newspapers were among the favorite souvenirs from North Korea. There wasn’t much for sale, but holidaymakers could get magnets, dolls, Lego sets and other small gifts in two shops.
During the corona pandemic, the already isolated country was completely closed to tourism. This restriction has only recently been lifted.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
