“Seeing is believing” they say in North Korea. We invite you to gain a different perspective of the country by experiencing its people, touching its landscapes and learning about its rich culture and 4,000 years of history. Our tours show you the complexity and hidden beauty of this undiscovered country.
Experience North Korea
Over 15 years of Safe and Premium Tours to North Korea
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The North Korea Experience
Featured Tours
The DPRK Classic – New Years Eve Special – 5 Nights
Join us in Pyongyang for the 2024/25 countdown on this extended tour of North Korea for New Year’s Eve and beyond! This special tour will see you on Kim Il Sung Square alongside thousands of locals for New Year festivities, which [...]
The DPRK Highlights – Party Foundation Day Special – 4 Nights
In this special 4-night tour of North Korea, join the festivities of Party Foundation Day on October 10 including a mass dance, and discover the highlights of this fascinating country! We’ll tour the major political sites in Pyongyang and take a [...]
Ski and Snowboard North Korea – Kim Jong Il Birthday Special – 7 Nights
This is your chance to ski the fresh-power slopes of North Korea! See the grand monuments of Pyongyang, visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), spend time at the Masikryong Ski Resort, and be in the capital for the major festivities [...]
Why Book With Us?
Places We Visit
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is North Korea’s capital and largest city. An ideological stronghold of imposing architecture and grand monuments, Pyongyang is the beating heart of politics, economy, culture, and tourism in North Korea.
DMZ
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a buffer zone separating the Korean Peninsula, acting as the de-facto border between North Korea and South Korea.
Mt. Myohyang
Mt. Myohyang is one of North Korea’s most beautiful nature reserves, weaved with rewarding hikes and dotted with ancient relics.
Kaesong
Kaesong, the ancient capital of the Koryo dynasty, is abundant with well-preserved UNESCO sites and cultural treasures. Situated near the South Korean border, Kaesong has played a crucial role in inter-Korean relations.
Wonsan
Wonsan is a charming seaside town on North Korea’s east coast famous for its immaculate yellow-sand beaches and fresh seafood.
Nampo
Nampo is an industrial port city and key trade gateway to Pyongyang located at the estuary of the Taedong River on the west coast.
Pyongsong
Pyongsong is a satellite city of Pyongyang and a developing hub of science and technology often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of North Korea.
Hayden Peters from Australia
One of the best customer experiences of my life, superb, safe and easy.
Coen Scott from Australia
To put it simply, my experience with Uri Tours was the best money I’ve ever spent on recreation. The larger part of every day was spent seeing new and unique locations, my personal favorite was the ‘Palace of the Sun’. (I mean, how many people outside of the DPRK can say they’ve seen Kim Jong Il’s mummy.. right!?) The hotel where we stayed was great! Friendly staff, clean facilities, good food and it also featured a multitude of shops and services, including but not limited to; a tailor, a bookstore, an art shop, a pool, a bar, a bowling alley and a masseuse!
Conner Brenner
My trip to North Korea was one of the most fascinating experiences of my life. I was fortunate enough to visit the country with my grandfather who was 78 at the time. Due to his age and his physical disabilities, there were a lot of potential issues that needed to be discussed prior to the trip taking place. The team at Uri Tours were incredibly helpful and courteous during this process. Every concern was addressed, and nearly every email I sent the company was responded to on the same day. I felt like I was being treated with the utmost professionalism.
Tara Mina Bayati
The trip was amazing and far exceeded my greatest expectations. I am sure all of the local guides are great, but I truly cannot imagine anyone better than the ones assigned to us. They could not have been more phenomenal and I felt genuinely sad saying goodbye to them at the airport. This was truly an experience of a lifetime which was made possible by Uri Tours. I would highly recommend them to anyone interested in visiting the DPRK!
New From the Blog
China Expands 15-Day Visa-Free Policy
In November 2023, China introduced a significant change to its entry requirements with the trial of 15-day visa-free access [...]
Day of the Sun in North Korea – 110th Birthday Anniversary of President Kim Il Sung
Today, April 15, 2022, is a massive day in North Korea, marking the 110th birthday anniversary of President Kim [...]
Party Foundation Day in North Korea – 75th Anniversary
October 10 is an important date in North Korea, marking the anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party [...]
National Day in North Korea – 74th Anniversary
National Day on September 9 is North Korea’s birthday and formally known as the Day of the Foundation of [...]
Can You Travel to North Korea From South Korea?
You’re on holiday in Seoul, South Korea and the idea of visiting North Korea has crossed your mind. Being [...]
Liberation Day in North Korea – 75th Anniversary
Today marks the 75th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule on August 15, 1945. This is the [...]
North Korea Myths: Are All North Korea Tours the Same?
The gist of this myth, appearing often in online discussions about [...]
Victory Day in North Korea – 67th Anniversary of the Korean War
July 27th is known as Victory Day in North Korea, and this year marks the 67th anniversary of the Korean [...]
Is Air Koryo a One-Star Airline?
Air Koryo is the flag carrier of North Korea and its only airline. Over the years, Air Koryo has [...]
What Year Is It in North Korea? – the Juche Calendar
If you thought it was 2024, think again! In North Korea, the year system is different from what you [...]
Ryugyong Hotel – North Korea’s Tallest Building
The 105-story Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang is North Korea’s tallest building (330m/1080ft), and a marvel of the capital’s progressively [...]
Can You Travel Independently to North Korea?
You’ve got time to travel around Asia and a trip to North Korea has taken your fancy. Can you [...]
Pyongyang Marathon 2021 Announced – April 11, 2021
Great news! We’ve been notified that the annual Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon (Pyongyang Marathon) is expected to be [...]
Can You Take Photos in North Korea?
Contrary to popular belief, taking photos in North Korea is allowed and you’ll have plenty of opportunities during your [...]
8 Reasons to Visit North Korea From Shanghai
The most well-known hub facilitating travel to North Korea may be Beijing, however, in recent years Shanghai has become [...]
What Does DPRK Stand For?
Search anything about North Korea and you’ll quickly find references to the acronym ‘DPRK’, seemingly used interchangeably with ‘North [...]
North Korea Flag – What Does It Mean?
The North Korea flag was introduced on September 9, Juche 37 (1948) which is the day North Korea was [...]
How to Book a North Korea Tour
So you’ve finally decided to take that trip to North Korea (DPRK) you’ve been thinking about for a while. [...]
The Mass Games Are Back for 2020!
We’ve received word that North Korea’s incredible Mass Games is scheduled to return in 2020!
The dates are not [...]
Coronavirus (COVID-19): North Korea Temporarily Closes Borders
UPDATE: August 14, 2024:
There’s been indication that North Korea may resume international tourism to the Samjiyon region in [...]
When Is the Best Time to Visit North Korea?
While it’s possible to visit North Korea all year-round, the country experiences four distinct seasons with each offering its [...]
Banknotes of North Korea – the North Korean Won
Currency is the perfect canvas to widely circulate imagery. All over the world, banknotes illustrate national heritage and culture [...]
What Currency Does North Korea Use?
During your visit to North Korea, you’ll need to pay for incidentals such as souvenirs, extra snacks or drinks, [...]
Should I Take a Flight or the Train to North Korea?
You’ve decided on a North Korea tour but aren’t quite sure which transport method suits you best. We’ve got [...]
Can You Visit North Korea?
Yes, it’s possible to visit North Korea as a tourist and it’s easier than you may expect! We’ve been [...]
Can Americans Visit North Korea?
Currently, it is not permitted to visit North Korea on a U.S passport for tourism.
Effective September 1, [...]
Is There Internet in North Korea?
For most of the world, the internet has taken hold as an irreplaceable learning tool and social obsession that [...]
Air Koryo Flight Update – Shanghai Pudong
Air Koryo operates a regular service between Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Pyongyang (FNJ) which we take advantage of to [...]
Update to United States Visa Waiver Program for travelers to the DPRK
On August 5, 2019, the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) which uses the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) [...]
The Mass Games to Return in 2019!
** UPDATE (May 24, 2019): Our partners have advised us that the 2019 Mass Games (‘People’s Country’) is scheduled to [...]
North Korea’s Ultimate Cycling Tour
Twice a year in May and September we offer the most extensive way to experience North Korea by bicycle. [...]
Arirang Mass Games 2018 – It May Be Back!
Exciting news! The word from our partners in Pyongyang is that the Arirang Mass Games, one of the most [...]
North Korea’s Best Hotels
Many hotels of varying quality are available in North Korea. You won’t find any backpackers hostels or Airbnb listings, [...]
How to Get a North Korean visa
Although North Korea (DPRK) may be the most closed nation on earth, getting your North Korean visa through Uri Tours [...]
Top 5 Must Try Food in Pyongyang
North Korea has a rich culinary heritage shared with the South. Dishes originating during ancient Korea remain heavily influential [...]
20 Must-See Sights in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, translated into English, means flat land. Once the ancient capital of the Choson, Koguryo and Koryo kingdoms, Pyongyang [...]
Postcards and Stamps of North Korea
Colorful, fiercely militant and overwhelmingly ideological. Locally produced postcards and stamps are truly the definitive souvenirs of North [...]
The Five Most Celebrated Mountains of North Korea
The Korean people consider themselves mountain people. This is not much of a stretch considering that a mountain system [...]
Official Statement Regarding North Korea Travel Ban for U.S Citizens
Today the U.S Department of State has officially announced that all U.S. passports are declared invalid for travel to the [...]
Official Statement Regarding Recent News of Mr. Otto Warmbier
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Otto Warmbier’s family and friends. This was a heart-wrenching tragedy that should [...]
Is It Safe to Visit North Korea?
The general perception surrounding North Korean tourism is that it is unsafe. However, approximately 6-8,000 Western tourists a year [...]
Full Spread: North Korea’s Tourism Calendar
The interwebs are ablaze with talk of a “sexy” new tourism calendar coming out of North Korea. Not only [...]
North Koreans Celebrate New Years 3 times in a year, and so can you!
Every year, thousands of North Koreans come to the streets to celebrate the New Year, not only once, but [...]
U.S. Sanctions on Air Koryo: Impact on North Korea Travelers
Today, the U.S. expanded sanctions on North Korea to include Air Koryo, the national carrier of DPRK. Under [...]
Microbrewing in North Korea – It’s Actually a Thing!
Beer is quite possibly the oldest beverage in the world, other than water of course. Some studies show that [...]
What is North Korea’s Party Congress?
Want to know what all the hype is about for North Korea’s party congress? We’ll explain it here: North [...]
Should I get a Chinese visa or use the visa-free transit?
WHAT IS A CHINESE TOURIST VISA?
A tourist (Type L) visa will allow you to travel throughout most of [...]
American UVA Student Detained in North Korea
We just received news of an American student who is currently detained in North Korea for “perpetrating hostile acts” [...]
Professional snowboarders withdraw from North Korea trip amid news of DPRK nuclear test
In light of the recent news of the alleged test of a nuclear bomb by the DPRK government, Snowboarder [...]
Soon to Observe Pyongyang Standard Time
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of its liberation from Japanese occupation, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea announced that [...]
THE URI STORY
A pioneering Korean-American family set out to explore the other side of their roots. What they found were people similar to them with a unique culture, rich history and distinct way of living. We have been offering safe and premium tours and travel to North Korea for over 15 years for international travelers.