URI TOURS INC.

08/03/2025

Rason Special Economic Zone is an area where North Korea experiments with limited market reform and foreign trade. However, you can never forget where you are — vivid North Korean state propaganda still permeates the region, delivering the message of socialist ideals to the masses. 
 
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07/03/2025

The approach to the grand bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il in Rajin, North Korea. Their central and elevated position is highly symbolic. 
 
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27/02/2025

After five years of border closure, Uri Tours has returned to North Korea, crossing into Rason this morning. We’re excited to be back! 
  
Tourism to North Korea is now permitted, but itineraries are currently limited to Rason. There is no official timeline yet on when Pyongyang will reopen.  
  
Rason is a Special Economic Zone in the northeast of North Korea, bordering both China and Russia. There is no airport in Rason, so entry is facilitated by land at the Quanhe-Wonjong border point, a three-hour drive from Yanji, China.  
  
Confirmed tours to Rason departing in March, April, and May will be published in the coming days!  
  
For any questions or to register your interest, email us at [email protected].  
  
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01/02/2025

Rason Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in North Korea’s far northeast is set to reopen for international tourism. We are awaiting the reopening of the Chinese side of the border, which has not resumed operations. 
 
This is a major breakthrough, as it’s the first destination in North Korea to reopen for general tourism since 2020. Travel is expected to be limited to Rason SEZ, requiring entry via land border crossing from China’s Yanbian region. Access to other parts of North Korea, including Pyongyang, will not be possible yet. 
 
Further details are pending. Tours will be available once travel has been confirmed. 
 
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14/08/2024

International tourism to North Korea may resume from December, starting with Samjiyon in the northeast. We are awaiting official confirmation. This area of North Korea has undergone a major overhaul during the border closure, with newly built hotels, hot springs facilities, and an upgraded ski resort. We, along with our partners, have itineraries penned to this region which we're excited to bring you as further details of a potential border opening are clarified. Watch this space for further updates on this exciting development!

29/06/2024

While North Korea remains closed to most tourism, it will be easier than ever for select nationalities to join our North Korea tours departing China once it reopens. Since 2023, China has gradually introduced and expanded a new 15-day visa-free policy, eliminating the need for a costly Chinese visa or to use their transit policy under strict conditions.

As of June 25, 2024, eligible nationalities for China's 15-day visa-free policy include:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Spain and Switzerland.

For more details, see our blog.

In November 2023, China introduced a significant change to its entry requirements with the trial of 15-day visa-free access for certain nationalities, specifically France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Since then, this policy has been gradually expanded. As of June 25, 2024,....

11/02/2024

The first tour group since 2020 has entered the DPRK on February 9. This Russian tour group departed Vladivostok on an Air Koryo flight bound for Pyongyang, and has been described as a 'test tour delegation' in a cooperative effort between Russian and DPRK authorities. While great news, this does not necessarily signal an imminent resumption of tours to the DPRK. Authorities have not yet advised the industry on when wider tourism can resume.

When there's further news, we'll be announcing it by email and through our social media channels. Sign up to our mailing list to stay updated!

The first group of Russian tourists to visit North Korea since the pandemic has arrived in its capital, Pyongyang, as the isolated country offers tours to Russians who face obstacles to travel abroad during the war in Ukraine