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North Korea from China Revisited


riclambo

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Hello Forum,

Back in 2007 a number of people were quite interested in visiting North Korea via Dandong, and some actually made the trip and posted useful accounts of it on this forum (under the thread North Korea from China).

I am planning to make the same trip in December with a friend, and I wanted to know if any forum members here would be interested in joining a group led by ddcts (http://www.ddcts.com/english.htm). I expect that it will be a Chinese group, so those with middling chinese are especially welcome. The offer they made me was 2400 RMB for chinese nationals and 4800 RMB for non-nationals. I imagine that with a larger group, the prices could be negotiable.

December would be low-season for tourism, so I would hope not be herded from monument to monument, but rather to have a view of 'normal' life in the DPRK. Any takers?

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December would be low-season for tourism, so I would hope not be herded from monument to monument, but rather to have a view of 'normal' life in the DPRK.

What makes you think they would want to show "normal" life in the DPRK to a foreigner? And how is this related to whether there is a high or low season for tourism?

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December would be low-season for tourism, so I would hope not be herded from monument to monument,

I'm considering to make the trip next summer. I suspect low or high season makes little difference. There are not many western tourists there anyway. There is imho however no way not to get herded from monument to monument. I think that's pretty much the faith of tour groups. In theory you can make your own trip and decide what you want to do/see. Reality is you will most likely have a very hard time doing so if you want to do anything off the regular tourist trail.

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I've the impression there aren't really that many 'must see' attractions. There is a collection of monuments in honour of the regime, Pyongyang, Panmunjom (the border post with South Korea also reachable from South Korea), Arirang Massgames and some scenic natural spots. To me the main attraction however is the experience. You're controlled from the moment you cross the border till the moment you leave again. Always accompanied by your guides who decide where you're allowed to go and where not.

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So I think Silent has the main idea, that the essence of the trip for me is the experience of being in the DPRK and just sorta lookin' around. (I think we can all agree that there are plenty of statues and monuments right here in China.) But, in answer to Wang7, the general itinerary can be seen at the link I gave in my first post (http://www.ddcts.com/english.htm). And, in answer to Brian, the trip is 4 days and 3 nights long.

As for 'normal' life in the DPRK, I read one account in which a visitor on a group tour asked his guides to show him around a residential suburb, to which they very nervously agreed, though they did not allow him to enter the neighborhood pub. I imagined that in the low season, with fewer people, one would have a bigger voice when it comes to swaying one's guides off the beaten track. Someone from last time recommended persuading them to take you to a department store (perhaps by pleading Christmas shopping), which again, sounds more interesting than seeing tributes to the great dead.

Iriya's question is interesting. I don't know, but I can try to find out. However, you can also contact the agency rep. I spoke to. His name is Sun Fuyi (email: ddcts@163.com; cel. 0086-13470002180).

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So I think Silent has the main idea, that the essence of the trip for me .....

I made no assumptions on what your idea about the trip is. I just replied wang7 about the attraction in dprk with in addition my personal motivation to consider a trip to dprk.

Sure, it's possible to get into a residential neighbourhood, to the swimming pool, etc etc. but only on their conditions. I've understood quite a few facilities have separate opening times for locals and foreigners. I've been told that Pyongyang even has a special hospital for foreigners. Even for expats it can be hard to mingle with the locals. Meaningful contact with others than the carefully selected is virtually non existent.

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I made no assumptions on what your idea about the trip is. I just replied wang7 about the attraction in dprk with in addition my personal motivation to consider a trip to dprk.

Yes, so I should have phrased that more carefully. From my perspective the essence or the main idea of a trip to the DPRK is the experience of being there rather than visiting any 'must-see' attractions. I think that has to be most peoples' motivation (which seemed to agree with Silent's), otherwise they are bound to be disappointed.

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