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Special Tours
Krahun Rice Planting
Service Trip
Description

This is Part 1 of Krahun’s exclusive DPRK Rice Farming Service Series

Krahun is excited to invite guests to an unprecedented service opportunity in North Korea: rice planting in the country! Every year, DPRK communities mobilize all around the country to plant rice, one of the most critical food crops in this nation, and now you can join! We’ve worked closely with the local DPRK tourism agency to allow guests to come to North Korea and take part in the country’s rice planting push. As the only tour company actually based in North Korea, no other company has closer relationships with the local tourism agency, making tours like this possible. Guests will be taught directly by local North Koreans on the proper way to plant rice. In addition to the symbolic significance, guests will be providing an invaluable service, joining with the people of North Korea to help its food security. Last year Krahun organized the first ever rice planting service project in the DPRK and guests had an amazing, deeply fulfilling experience.

Along with volunteering, guests will also tour the Rason region, enjoying the sights and sounds of the area and combining traditional tourism with hands-on service. Guests can practice English with students at the local foreign language middle school, have a chance to explore the local scenery, including beaches, parks, and mountains, go shopping at the open-air market among a sea of locals, and more – guests will be able to experience a slice of real DPRK life.

Krahun Tree Planting Service Trip

May 30 (THU) – June 3 (SAT)
(4 nights, 5 days)
$625

Application Deadline: May 1

BOOK TOUR
Itinerary
*Visitors should be in Yanji, China earlier for a mandatory pre-trip orientation.
May 30

Tuesday

Off to North Korea!

AM

Your tour begins!  We depart Yanji in the morning by private chartered bus.  It’s a 2 hour drive to the China-DPRK border and we drive through several other cities along the way.  After being personally led through the border by one of our Krahun staff members, we head to downtown Rason and enjoy lunch at the Rason International Trade Agency.

PM

After lunch, we visit a foreign language book store and souvenir shop where guests have a chance to see and even buy DPRK books written in other languages, including English.  Then we’re off to a local kindergarten to watch an entertaining musical performance by the students.  Afterwards, guests visit mosaic portraits of President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il.  Then it’s off to a greenhouse to see and learn more about the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il flowers.  Before heading back to the hotel, guests visit Rajin Port to see and learn more about an important part of Rason’s development and future.  The day comes to a close with dinner and rest at the hotel.

 May 31  – June 1

Wednesday & Thursday

Rice Planting Days

AM

After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to plant rice! Guests head to the fields to join in the country’s national rice planting push. A local North Korean will guide our guests, showing and teaching the proper way to plant rice. Then guests spend the morning planting rice just as many all across the country will be doing. Because the rice planting season is partly dependent on the weather at the time, the actual number of planting days or the dates may change.

tourists planting rice three

PM

We take a break for lunch and rest, with guests resting as long as they would like. There is an afternoon rice planting session before calling it a day. Guests head back to the hotel to enjoy dinner and some much deserved rest and relaxation.

June 2

Friday

Exploring Rason

AM

After breakfast, guests explore more of Rason.  A visit to Daehung Trading Company, largest state-run seafood processing factory in the region, provides a unique window into the local economy here.  Then it’s off to hang out at Hye Ahn Park, located near the center of the city and a frequent gathering spot for locals, especially during holidays.  Guests can soak in the sights and sounds of the park, joining a volleyball game with locals, watching North Korean families and kids enjoy a movie on the big, outdoor screen, go rollerblading, or, if lucky, join other locals dancing to some local jams!  Before lunch, guests visit the local art gallery to check out DPRK artwork that can also be purchased.

PM

After lunch at a local Korean restaurant, guests visit the foreign language middle school where students learn one of several languages, including English.  Guests have a wonderful opportunity to visit a classroom and talk to students learning English in a small group setting.  Next, guests visit the Golden Triangle Bank and have the option of exchanging currency for North Korean won, which can even be used later.  Then it’s time to hit the main market and shopping area in town, the only opportunity in the whole country where foreigners are actually allowed to visit and shop where the locals shop, a truly unique and eye-opening experience.  Walk around, haggle with vendors, and move among a sea of locals for a truly local experience!  To end the day, guests visit a state-run sewing factory before returning back to the hotel for dinner and rest.

June 3

Saturday

Final Farewell

AM

Guests enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before heading off to see a few more sites before leaving the country.  First is a visit to Bipa Island off the coast to explore great ocean views.  The island offers an optional boat ride for fee to visit the only seal sanctuary in the country.  Afterwards, we make a stop at the five-star Emperor Casino Hotel, built and operated by a Hong Kong based company.  Next up guests visit the revolutionary site of Comrade Kim Jong Suk (the mother of Kim Jong Il) and then the tri-country border point where Russia, China and North Korea meet, which also contains the General Ri Sun Shin “turtle boat” memorial.

PM

While overlooking the three countries, guests enjoy a lunch picnic and then head to the China-DPRK border.  Guests say their final farewells to their tour guides and to North Korea at the border point in Wonjong before taking a private chartered van back to Yanji.  The tour concludes with a debrief dinner in Yanji.

Some Things to Keep in Mind

Tours are guaranteed to run with a minimum of three people

Guest may also add a Chongjin-Mt. Chilbo leg or a Pyongyang leg to this tour.  Please contact us for more information.

Though we are planning for 3 days of rice planting, because the rice planting season is partly dependent on the weather at the time, the actual number of planting days or the dates may change. We’ll do our best to keep all guests informed as to any changes.

Included in Tour Fee

  • DPRK visa fee and processing
  • China customs fee and bridge transportation
  • Round-trip transportation from China and DPRK
  • Hotel accommodation in DPRK for 5 nights
  • 3 meals per day in DPRK
  • All transportation in DPRK
  • Two DPRK tour guides
  • One DPRK driver
  • Standard tips for DPRK tour guides and driver
  • De-brief meal after tour
  • All necessary tools and equipment for rice planting

Not Included in Tour Fee

  • China visa fee and processing
  • Travel expenses to and from China
  • Spending money for drinks and souvenirs in DPRK
  • Transportation, meals, and accommodation in China
  • Travel insurance or medical evacuation insurance (not required but recommended)
  • Entrance fees for special events, if applicable