Russian visitors returning to North Korea after the pandemic encountered strict limits on movement and on photographing certain sites. One traveler, Ilya Voskresensky, shared his experiences with socialbites.ca, saying he saw value in the restrictions. To him, the prohibition on roaming freely was part of what made a closed country feel tangible.
“The goal was to glimpse the authenticity of a closed society. I appreciated not being allowed to film, and the morning streets of Pyongyang felt almost eerie in their emptiness at 7:30. The hosting party was welcoming, and the guides were pleasant, always ready to help and answer questions. Yet these positive notes were tempered by clear prohibitions. The group could not leave the hotel, and questions about daily life were answered in a way that avoided the full reality of the situation. When asked why staying inside was required, the reply was that visitors did not know Korean.”
Voskresensky also raised concerns about Masikren ski resort, noting that it looked unsafe because North Koreans have limited experience in building ski slopes. He observed several gaps that would need attention before the facility could meet common international standards.
“This resort does not compare with typical international venues because it seems to be developed outside established practices. They are trying to craft their own version of a ski destination. The arrangement of components, including fences, suggested safety risks for skiers. A vehicle moving at high speed on a nearby road could collide with these barriers. Yet the experience was unforgettable. There is value to traveling to a country that presents such contrasts. Still, regarding practical development, many areas require work, from restaurant service to the pricing structure for ski passes.”
On February 9, a first Russian tour group of about 100 travelers arrived at Masikren ski resort in North Korea for a four-day visit, returning to Vladivostok on February 12. Tour operator Vostok Intour reported the trip cost about 750 United States dollars, a package that covered entry visas, flights, and four- to five-star accommodations.
The head of the travel company Inna Mukhina spoke with socialbites.ca, saying that Russians participating in the tour were pleased and expressed an interest in repeating the experience. She noted that Masikren impressed many professionals who arrived with their own equipment, and she added that the group was escorted by North Korean guides at all times, though there was limited supervision during the excursion.
Further reflections on the trip appeared in the publication Newspapers.Ru, which carried a feature about tourists’ impressions. A separate note highlighted that a new tourist zone in the DPRK could be emerging for Russian visitors.