North Korea will reopen the city of Samjiyon to foreign tourists in December, marking the end of nearly five years of border closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At least two tour operators based in China have announced that tourists will soon be able to visit the mountainous northern city.
North Korea had sealed its borders at the start of the pandemic in early 2020 and only began easing restrictions in mid-2022. The prolonged closures disrupted imports of essential goods, leading to food shortages worsen by international sanctions linked to the country’s nuclear program.
Shenyang’s KTG Tours confirmed on its Facebook page that Samjiyon will officially reopen, with expectations that Pyongyang and other locations might soon follow. Beijing’s Koryo Tours also stated that other parts of North Korea could “potentially” open to tourists in December. After waiting over four years, Koryo Tours expressed excitement about the resumption of North Korean tourism.
Samjiyon is located at the foot of Mount Paektu, North Korea’s tallest mountain, which straddles the China-North Korea border and is known for its winter attractions. According to North Korean propaganda, Mount Paektu is where the country’s founder, Kim Il Sung, fought against Japanese forces and launched the revolution. It is also claimed to be the birthplace of Kim Jong Il, the father of current leader Kim Jong Un.
In recent years, Samjiyon has undergone significant redevelopment. In July, Kim Jong Un revealed plans to rebuild its airport, convert a military ski base into a resort, and construct new railways and hotels to attract foreign tourists. State media reported that these developments are part of a broader plan to “revitalize international tourism” aimed at visitors from “friendly” nations. The Mount Paektu-Samjiyon area is envisioned to be a “four-season mountainous tourist zone” to meet the cultural needs of people and boost international tourism.
Since early 2024, North Korea has only allowed Russian tourists to enter, amid improving relations between the two countries. It remains unclear whether the reopening applies to tourists from all nations or just those considered “friendly” by North Korea.
North Korea only allowed the return of its citizens stranded abroad due to border controls in August last year, making it one of the last countries to do so.
