North Korea

North Korea (DPRK) is by no means an ordinary tourist destination! Probably the most mysterious country in the world, sometimes known as ‘the Hermit Kingdom’, it has historically been controversial and has shut out the rest of the world. Only periodic ally opening and closing its doors to foreigners, it remains one of the world’s most inaccessible countries with few international friends.

It is surrounded by three of the world’s great powers, China, Russia and Japan, but it is possible that North Korea hosts fewer foreign tourists than any other country on earth. The government has traditionally been wary of the outside world, and notoriously long-lasting tension on the Korean Peninsula has certainly deterred potential visitors. This may not sound like a Travellers Paradise, but it’s an education you aren’t likely to forget.

It is one of the final frontiers in the search for the remarkable. Tourists are drawn to this country out of pure curiosity. It is predictably austere. But simply put, North Korea’s sometimes dubious charms are absolutely fascinating. Most travellers come away quite impressed by the cleanliness and orderliness of the society. They marvel at things like the absence of everyday traffic, and relatively empty streets devoid of commercial advertising. Some, of course, come away horrified at the limitations on personal freedoms, and the hero worship of their leaders. On the other hand, visually North Korea has stunningly beautiful mountains surrounded by rich green agricultural regions untouched by tourism. The sea is beautifully clear and unpolluted. The country also has much to offer apart from scenic countryside.

With a population the same as Australia (23 million), it would fit into our country approximately 65 times. The people have little or no English, but are warm, proud, of good humour, and remind us again of the common bond of humanity across the world. Whatever views you may have of the political system, the incredible monuments and vistas of Pyongyang are like no other in the world. Many discerning travellers rank a visit to North Korea as their most interesting and memorable travel experience.

While most other formerly hardline communist countries have opened up to market based economic systems and a degree of political pluralism, North Korea remains closed and tightly controlled. The Kim dynasty began as a Soviet sponsored communist government in the 1950’s, but evolved into a hereditary dictatorship (now in its third generation). It is the world’s only communist dynasty, where sometimes it seems the only thing predictable is its unpredictability. Those given the opportunity to visit are not always able to see everything they may wish to see, and must be accompanied by a government tour guide (usually both pleasant and genuinely helpful) at all times. There are significant limitations for foreign visitors. Those who can accept these terms will have a fascinating visit experiencing a truly mysterious country and its unique culture, where total obedience to the state is mandatory. North Korea may give sleepless nights to governments in Seoul, Tokyo and Washington, but for the holidaying foreign visitor it is quite surprisingly comfortable and certainly an intrepid adventure to an extraordinary world.

Travel Masters & The Travel Studio have been operating fully escorted tours to North Korea since 2012, providing unique and memorable experiences to many who have travelled with us.  North Korea is currently closed to foreign visitors, and the Australian Government currently advises against any travel to North Korea.  As a result, we are currently not offering our usual tour programme.  However, should the circumstances change in the future, we will reintroduce our popular fully escorted tour again.  If you would like to be the first to be informed of any future tour to North Korea, please register your interest using the form below…