A massive parade and isolation: the flow of Russian tourists to North Korea is growing.
The Russian Union of Travel Industry reported a 10-15% increase in demand for tours to North Korea among Russians. In June, travel agencies sent a record 500 people to the DPRK, demonstrating a significant increase in interest in the closed country.
Growing tourist flow and children's programs in the DPRK
Children's recreation is also rapidly developing. For example, the international health camp Sondowon welcomed 400 Russian children for each of its two summer sessions. This is a 50% increase over the 2025 target.
Tour operators also include special excursions in their trips. In particular, Inna Mukhina, director of the Vladivostok-Intur tour operator, spoke about a popular display item:
We visit the memorial complex "Museum of the Military Exploits of the Heroes of the Overseas Military Operation" in Pyongyang. The museum's exhibit is dedicated to the courage of the Korean soldiers who participated in the liberation and demining of the Kursk region.
As a result, the cost of a tour to the DPRK this year starts at $800. The route is organized via Vladivostok, where travelers can obtain a visa for $80.
"A Separate Reality": Russians' Impressions of the Trip
He shared his impressions of the visit to the closed country with NeMoskva. tourist Evgeny Skvortsov noted that he would go again, as he was interested in visiting a country that "exists in a separate reality with its own rules, culture, and laws."
According to him, all package tours are strictly coordinated with the North Korean government, and the itinerary is scheduled hour by hour. Therefore, it's simply impossible to overspend. Over the course of eight days, the traveler spent less than $150, mostly on souvenirs.
The country has a strong ideological component—monuments, portraits of leaders, and propaganda elements are everywhere, which also makes a strong impression. It takes you two or three days to adapt, and then you begin to take things more calmly. The parade celebrating the founding of the DPRK was the most impressive: thousands of people in national costumes, dancing, circle dances, fireworks—a massive spectacle on the main square. We were taken to the mountainous Myohyangsan region. This allowed us to see the contrast between Pyongyang, with its high-rise buildings, and the country's natural beauty, which turned out to be very beautiful.
Control and complete isolation from the local population
However, tourists are unable to interact with ordinary citizens. Each group is under the total control of guides and accompanying guides.
We had three people with us. They monitored our movements and communications. Communication with the locals was limited, and most didn't speak Russian or English. Occasionally, there were brief visual encounters—locals would stare at us, try to take photos, but these situations were quickly suppressed by our escorts. Once, we were riding the subway with some Koreans. Everyone was watching each other, but no one even tried to communicate.
Why the Asian direction has become key
However, the shift in interest toward the closed republic is linked to a general market transformation. Since the outbreak of the war, Russian tourism has focused on Asian countries, Turkey, and the UAE.
In early August, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia reported that Asia is currently the most predictable and fastest-growing destination. It is unaffected by the fuel crisis within Russia, sea route blockages, and does not require complex transfers. Unlike other destinations, tours to Asian countries are already actively selling for the winter.