North Korea Tours and Holiday
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North Korea FAQ
What does the price include?
What does the price not include?
When do I get my visa?
Can I fly instead of taking the train?
Is North Korea safe?
Do I have any freedom in North Korea?
Do they cater for vegetarians?
What is the Mass games?
When does the Mass Games take place?
What are the moral implications of visiting North Korea?
How do I get to Dandong?
What else is there to do around Dandong?
What does the price include?
The price includes all meals, tours, transport and accommodation costs within North Korea as well as all Visa costs. Travel from Dandong to North Korea and back is also included.
Accommodation is a twin room in the 4 star Yanggakdo hotel.
What does the price not include?
The price does not include accommodation in Dandong. We do not include this in
the price as different people will wish for different standards of accommodation
and length of stay. We can however book hotels for you from just £21 per night
(3 star).
You will also need money with you (Euros are recommended) if you plan to spend money on drinks at the hotel in North Korea as well as buy gifts and tipping the guides. Alcoholic drinks cost roughly 1 per bottle. We ask that you tip the guides a minimum of 5 per day. So for a 4 days trip please leave around 20. This can be given to the lead guide who will share it between himself, the other guide and driver.
If you are travelling alone, you are welcome to share a room with another member of the group. If you prefer single room accommodation, you can pay the supplement of 45 per night on arrival to the hotel. Please note the single room prices were increased from 35 to 45 as of the 1st March 2012.
We do not cover the costs of re-entry Visa into China so please ensure when applying for your Chinese visa you go for a double or multiple entry version.
When do I get my visa?
You must arrive in Dandong a minimum of 24 hours before leaving for North Korea. Our representative will meet you to take your passports before returning them with your visas the evening before departure.
Can I fly instead of taking the train
If you would like to fly into North Korea rather than taking the train we offer
the option of flying from Shenyang (but not Beijing unfortunately). However, on
your return journey we can offer the option of returning by flight to Beijing,
Shenyang, Shanghai or Vladivostok.
Is North Korea safe?
North Korea is considered one of the safest tourist destinations in the world. Our customers have
never had any problems with either crime, or the authorities. The only way you are likely to put yourself in any
kind of trouble is by constantly criticising the North Korean leaders or government. We urge you to respect your guides views and wishes otherwise constant disrespect and criticism is likely to lead to deportation
or in extreme circumstances, jail.
Do I have any freedom in North Korea?
Your government guides will be with you at all times of day and you are unable to venture off on your own. When back at your hotel you are free to spend time as you wish around the hotel and its grounds.
Do you cater for vegetarians?
Yes vegetarians are catered for. Please inform us of your dietary needs beforehand.
What is the Mass games?
The Mass Games or 'Arirang' is one of the greatest spectacles in the world. It is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest event of its kind on earth.
There is a cast of more than 100,000 people including dancers, martial arts experts, a military tattoo acrobats and most awe inspiring of all the backdrop; an awe inspiring constantly changing human mosaic that displays panoramas, political slogans and cartoons.
When does the Mass Games take place?
The Mass Games usually takes place from early August until the end of September.
What are the moral implications of visiting North Korea?
Some believe it is wrong to visit North Korea as your money is going direct to their government rather than into the hands of locals. However, others believe visiting the country can help benefit the people you meet by making them aware of the outside world. There isn't really a clear right or wrong answer to whether you should visit or not so we advise you to research the topic yourself and make your own decision.
We can add a Beijing add on to your tour which includes starting and ending the journey in Beijing. However, if you would like to make your own way then there are three options from Beijing to get to Dandong. The cheapest option is by overnight sleeper train. The train departs Beijing at 17.30 and arrives at 7.30 the following morning. We can book tickets for you for the following prices:
Seat £29
Hard sleeper £39
Soft sleeper £55
Alternatively you can take a regular bullet train from Beijing to Shenyang (around 4 hours 30 minutes) and then take a bus or taxi to Dandong (3-4 hours).
The other option is to fly direct from Beijing. There is one early afternoon flight per day and it will cost around £80.
If you are travelling from South Korea you can take a direct overnight ferry from Incheon, prices range from £20-70.
What else is there to do around Dandong?
Dandong is in North Eastern China, a seldom visited area on the tourist map of China. However, the region has a wealth of great sites to visit. A few of them are listed below (for more info please contact us) :
Tiger Mountain Great Wall
Boat trips on Yalu river
Benxi Water Caves
Changbaishan National Nature Reserve
Jingpohu National Forest Park
Qianshan National Park
Wudalianchi National Forest Park
Big Deer island
Kuanding Yellow Chair Volcano Forest Mt
