China and North Korea

North Korea is the most isolated country in the world, and very few people associate it with a vacation destination. Well-prepared and having received the green light from the authorities, we embarked on our very first group tour. Our aim was to see if we could get even a glimpse into the lives of the North Koreans. Whether we succeeded can be read in our exciting diary account... Is it dangerous to travel to North Korea? No, on the contrary, it is one of the safest destinations in the world for tourists. However, be prepared to be constantly monitored throughout your stay, and certain rules must be strictly followed. If you can overcome yourself, pretend to have the utmost respect for the regime, and bow down at numerous sites adorned with grand monuments of the Great Leader, North Korea can be an intriguing experience. Travel to North Korea is only possible through an organized group tour. These tours aim to showcase the best of the country and present it as a prosperous and well-functioning socialist society. However, the realities are far more daunting than the glossy image being portrayed. An extreme cult of personality surrounding the deceased Kim Il Sung and the current leader Kim Jong Il is a daily routine for all North Koreans from morning till night. Failure to adhere to this worship can result in a life in horrific labor camps, with daily public executions. Democracy is non-existent in the country, and most North Koreans are told that the outside world is far worse than their own situation, despite the fact that the country is in constant shortage of both electricity and food. The population is shielded from all "malicious" influences from the West, which is why there are no foreign TV channels or internet access. It is not an exaggeration to say that a significant portion of the population is unaware that humans have been to the moon. The glossy facade often cracks, and it is easy for tourists to see that not everything is in perfect order. During our tour of the country, we visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Kaesong, Pyongyang, and Nampo, but we also enjoyed a rather unusual spa experience, which is not typically associated with North Korea. Only a modest number of tourists visit North Korea each year, and only a few companies organize trips there. We chose the Swedish company "Korea Konsult," and we have never regretted it. The company comes highly recommended for its excellent and prompt service in addressing inquiries. Traveling to North Korea is expensive. Expect to pay around 1,100 to 1,600 euros for a standard 7-day trip to the country, depending on the company and the itinerary. Korea Konsult is priced in the middle range, while the most expensive company is Koryo Tours, which is also recommended in many places. The reason Koryo Tours is pricier is that they hold a pre-trip meeting in Beijing the day before departure and send a company representative into North Korea. This was something we personally did not find necessary for our trip. Most journeys to North Korea typically begin with a flight from Beijing, China, and exit by train. For an additional fee, you can usually fly with Air China to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, instead of the Korean airline Air Koryo, which does not have the best safety reputation. A trip to North Korea is definitely recommended. We extended our trip from 5 to 7 days and did not regret it. Our entire tour group agreed that it had been an extremely interesting and very different journey. We were well-prepared for the trip by watching nearly all available documentaries about the country. As a result, we had a pile of questions for the North Koreans, which all had to be asked in a very discreet manner, as even humiliating remarks about the leader could mean being expelled from the country. The other participants expressed their appreciation for our courage in asking the interesting questions, while the North Korean guides constantly seemed to view us as "trouble makers." How long this utterly absurd regime will last is uncertain, but it certainly won’t be forever... The tour also takes you to China's capital, Beijing, with all its major attractions. We will take you to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the best shopping spots, the Summer Palace, and much more.