North Korea Reopens to Tourists 2025 – Here’s What You Need to Know

For the first time in over five years, North Korea is opening its doors—well, at least a small part of them—to foreign tourists. While the capital city of Pyongyang remains off-limits, adventurous travellers now have the rare opportunity to visit Rason, a special economic zone tucked away in the country’s northeast, near the borders of China and Russia. And the timing couldn’t be more symbolic—this limited reopening coincides with celebrations for the birthday of Kim Jong Il, the country’s late leader and father of the current ruler, Kim Jong Un.

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What’s the occasion?

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In North Korea, the birthdays of past leaders are more than just milestones—they are massive national celebrations. Kim Jong Il’s birthday, known as the Day of the Shining Star, falls on 16 Feb and is one of the country’s biggest holidays. The day is usually marked with elaborate parades, fireworks, and large public displays of devotion, including citizens bowing before statues of the former leader. This year, a lucky group of tourists will get a front-row seat to the action—well, sort of. While Pyongyang remains closed to visitors, Rason will be the next best thing for those eager to get a glimpse of North Korea’s tightly controlled world.

Top attractions in North Korea – What’s included?

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Visitors can explore fascinating cultural and economic sites, making it an eye-opening journey, especially for Muslim travellers seeking halal-friendly experiences. This opportunity offers a rare chance to step into one of the world’s most secretive countries while keeping faith-based considerations in mind.

Tourists can explore Rason, North Korea’s special economic zone, which provides insight into the country’s controlled market reforms. Additionally, tourists can spend two nights in Yanji, China, a city with a strong ethnic Korean presence that has growing halal-friendly facilities, including restaurants catering to diverse travellers.

Among the unique local attractions, travellers can visit the Sea Cucumber Breeding Farm and the Paekhaksan Combined Foodstuff Processing Factory, both of which showcase North Korea’s niche industries. Another unusual yet intriguing experience is a visit to the Golden Triangle Bank, where tourists have the opportunity to open a North Korean bank account—certainly a conversation starter for any traveller.

For those interested in geography, the Three Countries Border Viewpoint offers a panoramic view of China, Russia, and North Korea, making it a fascinating stop on the itinerary. Additionally, cultural interactions along the journey provide insight into North Korean society. While mosques and halal facilities are scarce in the country, travellers can engage with local customs, connect with ethnic Korean Chinese communities in Yanji, and explore meal options that align with their dietary needs.

Though North Korea does not officially cater to Muslim travellers, those joining the tour should consider bringing their own halal snacks and arranging meal preferences in advance. Despite the controlled access, these attractions provide a rare and unique opportunity to experience a country that remains largely closed to the outside world.

Why now?

North Korea isn’t exactly known for being a tourist-friendly destination, so why the sudden re-opening? The answer likely comes down to economics. The country has been hit hard by international sanctions, which have made it difficult to access essentials like oil, technology, and even basic medical supplies. Before the pandemic, North Korea welcomed hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists, generating up to $175 (S$1015) million in revenue in 2019. But when COVID-19 hit, the country shut its borders completely, cutting off that crucial income stream. With this small-scale reopening, North Korea is likely testing the waters—starting with a trusted tour operator and a controlled location like Rason.

Not everyone can go

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While this news may excite adventurous travellers, there are some important restrictions to keep in mind. First and foremost, Pyongyang remains closed to tourists, meaning visitors won’t get to witness the grand monuments, meticulously choreographed mass parades, or the capital’s tightly controlled urban life.

Additionally, U.S. citizens are still banned from travelling to North Korea due to a longstanding restriction imposed in 2017. This decision followed the tragic case of Otto Warmbier, an American student who was sentenced to hard labour after allegedly stealing a propaganda banner. He was later returned to the U.S. in a coma and died shortly thereafter, prompting heightened travel restrictions.

Getting to Rason is another challenge. Unlike major global tourist destinations, Rason does not have an international airport. The only way to enter is by crossing the border from China by car, which requires prior authorisation and coordination with the designated tour operator.

Furthermore, while the tour has been announced, there’s no absolute guarantee that it will proceed as planned. Reports indicate that Chinese border authorities may not yet be fully prepared to process foreign visitors, meaning delays or last-minute cancellations are a possibility. Travellers eager to explore North Korea should remain flexible and prepared for potential changes in entry regulations.

A glimpse behind the curtain?

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For those who have long dreamed of visiting North Korea, this could be an exciting first step toward the country reopening to more tourists in the future. However, it’s clear that this is still very much a controlled experience. Travellers won’t be free to roam, and the itinerary is carefully curated to showcase certain aspects of North Korean industry rather than daily life.

Still, for the right kind of traveller—the kind who thrives on seeing places most people never will—this trip to Rason might just be an opportunity too intriguing to pass up.

Would you ever consider visiting North Korea if given the chance? Or is this one destination better observed from a distance?