First cycling day trip to North Korea launched from China

Hiufu Wong, CNN
2 minute read
Published 8:42 PM EDT, Wed May 14, 2014
So close, and now so accessible. A new scheme allows day visas for Chinese tourists wanting to visit North Korea from Tumen.
So close, and now so accessible. A new scheme allows day visas for Chinese tourists wanting to visit North Korea from Tumen.
Benjamin Lowy/Reportage by Getty Images

Story highlights

Tumen, a Chinese city bordering North Korea, recently launched the first cycling tour to North Korea

The three-hour tour takes in North Korean war memorials, the former leader's portrait and local foods

North Korea has approved more cross-border tours in recent years, spurring tourism from China

CNN  — 

Exploring the mysterious nation of North Korea just got a lot easier – at least if you’re Chinese.

A new scheme has been announced that provides Chinese citizens with an (almost) hassle-free visa to North Korea within a day, specifically for cycling day trips.

The trip, including the visa, costs around $50.

Some 35 Chinese tourists embarked on the first short cycling tour on May 2.

They cycled across the border from Tumen, in the northeast of China, and visited Nanyang City in North Korea before returning to China the same day.

The group visited Nanyang train station, the Korean War Hero Martyrs Monument, a portrait of Kim Il Sung, The Tower of Immortality, attended a show and sampled local snacks from a small farm market behind Nanyang International Hotel.

That hotel is where Kim Il Sung reportedly met Zhou Baozhong, a famous Chinese World War II general.

The first trip took a little more than three hours.

Swedish racer Annie Thorén receives award by Chon Dong Chol, head of the Rason tourism bureau.
Bike race into North Korea —
Swedish racer Annie Thorén receives award by Chon Dong Chol, head of the Rason tourism bureau.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Riders passing a propaganda monument of Dear Leader Kim Jong-il.
Bike race into North Korea —
Riders passing a propaganda monument of Dear Leader Kim Jong-il.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Bikers coming off the bridge over the Tumen River between China and North Korea, the starting point of the race.
Bike race into North Korea —
Bikers coming off the bridge over the Tumen River between China and North Korea, the starting point of the race.
Johan Nylander/CNN
North Korean soldiers line the roads of the race.
Bike race into North Korea —
North Korean soldiers line the roads of the race.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Swedish racer Christian Bertilsson with North Korean police on a countryside road.
Bike race into North Korea —
Swedish racer Christian Bertilsson with North Korean police on a countryside road.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Peasants and villagers stood along the countryside road watching the race.
Bike race into North Korea —
Peasants and villagers stood along the countryside road watching the race.
Johan Nylander/CNN
A curious child watches in wide-eyed amazement at the bikers.
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