Tourists are being enticed to North Korea's recently developed coastal getaway by a Russian tourism agency
The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a new beach resort located near the city of Wonsan on the east coast of North Korea, officially opened its doors to the public on June 24, 2025, after several years of delay due to international sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic.
This world-class tourist and cultural destination, as it's been promoted by North Korean state media, boasts a stunning 4-kilometre long white-sand beach and state-of-the-art facilities. The resort can accommodate nearly 20,000 people and includes converted military airfields into civilian airports with duty-free shops and cafes.
Initially, the resort welcomed foreign tourists, including a group of Russian visitors and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in late June and July 2025. However, just weeks after the resort's opening, North Korea abruptly barred foreign tourists from entering the Wonsan-Kalma zone with no official explanation, and foreign visitors have been “temporarily not accepted” since mid-July 2025.
Despite this suspension, the resort remains open to domestic tourists who have been enjoying the beaches and hotel facilities.
In a recent development, a Russian travel agency named Vostok Intur is promoting tours to North Korea's new beach resort, Kalma in Wonsan. The tour package includes accommodation at a four-star hotel in the tourist zone, meals, and a Russian-speaking tour guide. The tours are all-inclusive and scheduled from August 25 to September 1.
The itinerary includes entry into North Korea via the Tumen River Station. Travelers will transfer from a bus to a train during the journey. The price for groups of three to five people is approximately US$1,500 per person, with an additional 20,000 rubles.
The suspension of foreign tourist entry was possibly due to shortcomings discovered during the resort's trial operation. The tours offer a unique opportunity to experience North Korea's culture and history, largely untouched by Western influence. Larger groups receive discounted rates.
It's important to note that as of now, foreign tourist entry to the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area remains temporarily suspended, and the resort is only open to domestic tourists. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
Tourists, specifically Russians, are now being offered trips to North Korea's new beach resort, Kalma in Wonsan, by Vostok Intur travel agency. This all-inclusive tour includes a stay at a four-star hotel, meals, and a Russian-speaking guide from August 25 to September 1. This could be an exclusive chance for travelers to immerse themselves in North Korea's culture and history, which remains largely untouched by Western influence. Meanwhile, foreign tourist entry to the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area remains temporarily suspended, with the resort only open to domestic tourists.
