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    Welcome to Rason: International Women's Day tour


     4 nights in the DPRK
    Rajin Pipha Area Sonbong Tumangang Wonjong

    On January 16, 2025, the Rason Special Economic Zone became the first region of the DPRK to officially open its borders to international tourism, which had been paused in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Be among the first to visit North Korea after such a long break!
    Although the central region of the DPRK (including Pyongyang) is still closed to tourists, the Rason region has much to offer.
    Rason is a Free Economic Zone, and there you will have the opportunity to visit not only monuments, museums, and natural attractions, but also small commercial enterprises, the port, the bank, and the market.
    Rason is also a unique place where the borders of three countries - the DPRK, China, and Russia - converge in one single point.
    On March 8, International Women's Day will be celebrated in the DPRK. A concert or other performance may be held on this occasion.

    **IMPORTANT NOTE
    To visit Rason, a DPRK visa is not required; an electronic entry approval from the DPRK authorities is sufficient. It is issued much faster than a regular visa

    UDATE AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 2025
    This tour is fully confirmed and will be accompanied by a representative from Korea Konsult.

     

    ITINERARY

    Info
    The tour itinerary is a PRELIMINARY one. Korea Konsult reserves the right to change some parts of the itinerary below if needed. Eventual itinerary changes after the group arrival in the DPRK are beyond our control. Under no circumstances can Korea Konsult be held responsible for any itinerary changes.

    Mar 6 (Thu): Yanji Wonjong Rajin

    • This tour begins in Yanji, a city in Jilin Province, China, which serves as the administrative center of the Yanbian Chaoxianzu (Korean) Autonomous Prefecture. Travelers from Beijing can easily reach Yanji by direct flight or train.
    • In the morning, transfer from Yanji to the Sino-Korean border (2 hrs).
    • Arrival at the Quanhe border checkpoint (China). After completing border formalities, cross the border via the China-Korea Friendship Bridge over the Tumen River.
    • Arrival at the Wonjong border checkpoint (DPRK, Rason)
    • After completing border formalities, meet with local Korean guides and head to the capital of Rason, the city of Rajin.
    • Arrival in Rajin, lunch
    • Rajin Grand Monument - bronze statues of Korean leaders, erected in 2015 on an elevation in the center of Rajin
    • Computer shop - here it is possible to buy a locally made tablet or PC
    • Rajin Golden Triangle Bank - the only place where tourists can exchange their money to Korean Won at market rate
    • Taekwondo show - enjoy an exciting Taekwondo performance by the students of the Rajin Taekwondo School
    • Shoes Factory - a small scale factory producing many types of shoes for all seasons
    • Dinner

    OVERNIGHT: Rason Tourist Hotel or similar
    Mar 7 (Fri): Rajin Pipha Area Rajin

     

    • Breakfast
    • Rajin Foreign Language School - a great chance to interact with local young people learning English
    • Drive to Pipha Area - an island known for its stunning scenery, fishing, and boating. Sightseeing on boat (optional, extra charge). If weather is favorable you will see seals - it is the only Seals Nature Reservation site in DPRK)
    • Raksan Offshore Salmon Fish Farm - run by Unit 810 of the Korean People's Army, this farm is a direct supplier of the Pyongyang Taedonggang Seafood Restaurant
    • Emperor Hotel & Casino - 5* hotel where wealthy Chinese come to gamble. It is owned by Hong Kong-based investors and it is one of the best hotels in the DPRK
    • Lunch
    • Drive back to Rajin
    • Rason School uniform factory - successfully remodeled and inaugurated in November 2023, this factory produces various styles of school uniforms for schoolchildren in Rason Municipality.
    • Visit Paduk House. Paduk (Go) is the most popular and widespread intellectual game in the DPRK.The history of Paduk in Korea dates back several thousand years.
    • Before dinner, we will enjoy a culinary master class on preparing the most popular Korean dish – kimchi.
    • Dinner

    OVERNIGHT: Rason Tourist Hotel or similar
    Mar 8 (Sat): Rajin

    International Women's Day

    • Breakfast
    • Rajin Art Gallery - place to see an impressive assortment of DPRK art. It is also possible to purchase some of the works of art
    • Rajin city market - the only market in North Korea where tourists are allowed to visit and buy various local products (RMB is the preferred currency). It is prohibited to take pictures in the market
    • Rajin City Port - a home for the DPRK passenger cruise ship as well as occasional Russian cruises. Before the sanctions against the DPRK, it was a place of active Chinese and Russian investments. The port is connected by a direct railway to Russia, which today mainly transports coal.
    • Lunch
    • Optional: visit to a massage salon (massage at an additional charge).
    • Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia Greenhouses - the place where the famous flowers named after leaders are grown along with Korean national flower - Magnolia
    • Rason Children's Palace - this beautiful modern building was completed shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, it hosts various club activities and sports classes. Just like in any children's palace in the DPRK, this one also features a large concert hall where we can enjoy an impressive musical and dance performance by Korean children. We count on special performance on the occasion of International Women's Day
    • Hae’an Rajin Beach Park - a favorite place for locals to relax. From here, there is a beautiful view of the bay and mountains
    • Czech Draft Beer Bar - a beer bar that opened in Rajin in 2013 in Hae’an Park. All equipment was delivered directly from the Czech Republic, and the brewery staff was specially trained by Czech specialists.
    • Dinner

     


    OVERNIGHT: Rason Tourist Hotel or similar
    Mar 9 (Sun): Rajin Tumangang Sonbong Rajin

     

    • Breakfast
    • Drive to Tumen river border area - this river is known for its tripoint where the China–Russia border and the North Korea–Russia border intersect. From Sonbong the road initially goes along beautiful coast of the East Sea of Korea and then it turns North, and passes through a system of blue lakes, one of which - Manpo lake - has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area because it supports populations of various birds such as swan geese, oriental storks, and cranes
    • Arrival in Tumangang - Korean town at the border with Russia
    • Visit Korean−Russian Friendship House - located in Tumangang, it is a museum dedicated to the history of Russia-Korea relations
    • Move to Sungjon Pavilion - located on a hill dominating the area, it is a traditional-style pavilion next to the Victory Monument to Admiral Li Sun Sin, the inventor of the legendary turtle battleship. This pavilion represents a fantastic observation platform to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Tri border area - a unique place where three borders (China, DPRK, and Russia) meet each other. From here, you can easily observe the Korean-Russian Friendship Bridge - a railway bridge and the only land connection between Russia and the DPRK. The DPRK/Russia border is only 17 km long and it is the shortest border Russia has with any of its neighboring countries.
    • Visit the Swan house - inaugurated in 2024 at the Pupho Duck Farm in Rason, this complex is fully equipped for breeding black swans.
    • Visit the Sea Cucumber Breeding Farm. The sea cucumber is not a plant, but an invertebrate animal. Sea cucumbers are considered a delicacy and a cure-all. They have a rather pleasant taste, resembling both fish and shrimp.
    • Lunch
    • Drive to Sonbong - second biggest city in Rason
    • Sonbong Revolutionary Site - the place where the mother Kim Jong Suk with the 3 year old leader Kim Jong Il returned back to Korea after the end of World War II
    • Take a walk in Sonbong city park
    • Hiking in Mt.Sahyang - a mountain from where you can enjoy bird's eye view on Rajin Bay and main Rason cities
    • Dinner

     


    OVERNIGHT: Rason Tourist Hotel or similar
    Mar 10 (Mon): Rajin Wonjong Yanji

    • Breakfast
    • Local brewery visit - it is here that one of the most popular beer brands, Ryongsong, is produced. In addition to brewing Ryongsong Beer, the Ryongsong Brewery also manufactures Ryongsong Cola.
    • Paekhaksan General Foodstuff-Processing Factory - thanks to the reconstruction completed at the end of 2023, the factory has been able to significantly increase production and improve the quality of its products.
    • Deer farm - located north of Sonbong, this state-owned farm has a young population of deer primarily raised for their antlers. The antlers are considered a valuable product, beneficial for circulation and overall health.
    • Chonghak Sanatorium - nestled at the base of the scenic Mt. Chonghak, the sanatorium is equipped with all the necessary facilities and environment to treat various ailments, including chronic gastritis and rheumatoid arthritis, using the Chonghak mineral water
    • Lunch
    • Drive to Wonjong - Korean border crossing point
    • Cross Wonjong Sino-Korean Friendship bridge - China/Korea border crossing point and arrive in China
    • Transfer to Yanji. Arrival in Yanji after 6 pm local time

    Application deadline: 24 Feb 2025

    INCLUDED:

    • Transfer Yanji-Quanhe(China border)-Yanji
    • Hotel accommodation in Rason (twin-shared room)
    • Transportation within Rason
    • Three meals a day (including water, beer is not included). All transfers and transport during the tour
    • English-speaking guide (guides in other languages can be booked on request)
    • All entrance fees according to the itinerary

    NOT INCLUDED:

    • Rason entry permit (30 EUR)
    • Optional single room supplement (40 EUR per night)
    • Your private expenses
    • Ticket fee for occasional events such as concert, art performance etc
    • Tips for Korean guides and driver (10-15 USD or an equivalent amount in RMB per day in total)

    GOT QUESTIONS?

    Contact us:
    WhatsApp
    E-mail postmaster@koreakonsult.com
    Phone +46(0)73981 0372, +46(0)70116 5525
     
     
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