North Korea Trip From Dandong – Day 1
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is one of the few remaining communist countries in the world. North Korea has always been a dream destination for me, not only because of its mysterious veil but also because I wanted to witness firsthand what a truly communist country is like.
Before departing, I did extensive research and found that more people travel to North Korea than I had imagined. As North Korea only allows group tours and not individual travel, many people perceive it to be very dangerous. However, it is not as dangerous as it is often portrayed, as long as you follow the guide’s instructions and avoid local taboos. Despite this, some of our group members kept challenging the guide’s limits by sneaking out of the hotel frequently, causing the guide to leave temporarily due to the pressure.
We joined a travel agency based in Dandong. The day before, my travel companion and I boarded a train from Beijing at 5:30 PM and, after 14 hours, finally arrived in Dandong.
Departing from Dandong
We hurried to the travel agency to meet up by 7:50 AM. The agency was small and tucked away, with no sign, which raised concerns about its safety. But then I discovered that it was actually a police station, which significantly boosted my sense of security.
We joined the “North Korea Tours From Dandong” As a Taiwanese, my tour cost was US$535, plus a US$5 guide tips and US$110 for the Arirang performance ticket. Since we didn’t stay at the Yanggakdo Hotel, we got a refund of US$40, making the total cost US$610.
After paying the tour fee, we headed back to Dandong Railway Station, where some group members were already waiting. Our tour guide, Ma Yangyang, briefed us on the entry procedures for North Korea and handed each of us a visa.
Crossing the Yalu River
The international train we boarded will take us to Pyongyang. There is no air conditioning in the carriages, but they are equipped with sleeping berths and electric fans. The carriages are crowded with North Koreans returning from China, carrying large amounts of luggage, mostly electronics.
The train slowly crosses the Yalu River, and 10 minutes later, we arrive at Sinuiju in North Korea. North Korean immigration officers board the train to collect passports and visas, and conduct body and luggage searches. Fortunately, as of this year, bringing mobile phones into North Korea is allowed, though there is no network or signal there.
Meeting Special Passengers
The customs inspection took over an hour. Once it was finally completed, and our passports and visas were returned, the train continued its journey. I had been taking a nap on the train, but was woken up by the heat, as someone had turned off the fan. Since we still had a long way to go, I decided to chat with fellow passengers.
To my surprise, among the passengers were Chinese-Korean war veterans who had fought in the Korean War. They were invited by the North Korean government to participate in the parade in Pyongyang. On July 27th, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, North Korea’s capital Pyongyang will host the largest parade in its history.
Arriving in Pyongyang
After four or five hours of travel, we finally arrived at Pyongyang Railway Station. Outside the station, two tour buses were waiting for us, and we were surprised to find that they were new.
The driver took us to the Chongnyon Hotel, where we would stay for 3 days in twin rooms.
Watching the Arirang Performance
After dropping off our luggage, we first gathered to have dinner, then proceeded to the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium to watch the “Arirang Performance.” This was the main purpose of my visit to North Korea, to witness this grand performance firsthand.
With 100,000 stage actors and 18,000 background performers, all on the same stage, the scene was spectacular, truly breathtaking! Additionally, the guide mentioned that each performer would receive a television afterward. There were about several thousand spectators that day, even more than the performers themselves.
Arirang Performance Video
After the performance ended, also can buy a souvenir DVD, but I didn’t. We quickly dispersed with everyone else. The tour bus took us back to the hotel to rest, preparing for the formal itinerary of the next day.
This trip to North Korea not only broadened my horizons but also deepened my understanding of this mysterious country. Looking forward to the next three days, hoping to explore more of the real life and culture of North Korea.
How to travel to North Korea?
Independent travel in North Korea is not allowed—I’d have to take a tour or a private tour. Joining a North Korea tour from outside of China tends to be expensive, usually around $2,000 USD. After further research, I opted for a different approach: flying to Beijing first, spending a few days there, and then taking a train to Dandong, where I could join a tour from there. While this option isn’t much cheaper, it gave me the opportunity to explore Beijing as well. For more detail➜Traveling in North Korea Guide: How to Join a North Korea Tour in China?
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