Wonsan Kalma: My trip to “Benidorm” for North Korea

Security guards were accompanying the Samsunova Anastasia Group, which suggested that this was not a typical beach holiday.

In July, the 33 -year -old human resource worker was one of the first tourists to reside in a new holiday resort in North Korea, a largely closed country against the outside world.

It is located in an exclusive area on the east coast where leader Kim Jong -un spent most of his youth, the coastal coastal wonsan kalma region opened on July 1.

The resort is designed near the missile test site, and it is characterized by hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and a water park, according to government media.

But while it was initially described as open to international tourists, it was only allowed to enter groups and organized by approved travel agencies.

Anastasia traveled there last month with 14 other people. The visit was tightly controlled, with evidence and guards accompanying them and a fixed path that could not diverge without permission from the North Korean authorities.

She says the guides told her that the guards need to “prevent the positions in which we interacted with the local population and surprised them.”

“When we were walking on the street, they looked at us (the North Koreans) with a big surprise because the country was closed for a very long time,” says Anastasia.

BBC News Russian called with her after searching for the geography of people on social media who traveled to the resort independently of any travel agency or media outlet.

Anastasia says that her collection was also told not to shoot construction sites and it was expected not to wear revealing clothes.

However, despite the restrictions, she says she “enjoyed a vacation without people” on empty beaches with white sands.

“Every day the (beach) was completely cleaned and settled. Everything was pure,” she says.

“The comfort was completely new, everything is not clean. The sea entrance was very nice, so yes, it was really very good beach.”

Since Covid, North Korea’s international tourism has been temporarily stopped to prevent the spread of the virus.

But last year, the Republic began to allow Russian tourists to visit again.

In February, it also started receiving tourists from the West, including Australia, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, although it suddenly stopped after weeks, without saying the reason.

Wonsan Kalma has been described as a major part of Kim’s aspirations to enhance tourism in the country.

It is said that he was inspired by the tourist hot point in Spain, where a North Korean delegation was sent on a fact -finding mission in 2017.

But the details of how it was built was moved in secrecy, and human rights groups criticized the alleged harsh treatment of workers.

Weeks after its opening, North Korea announced that foreigners were not allowed to “temporarily” visit – with the exception of tourists from Russia, the ally of the Republic.

So far, two Russian tourist groups have visited the resort, with another there.

The cost of a week -long journey from Russia to North Korea, including three days in Wansan Resort whenever, $ 1,1400 (1300 pounds) – more than 60 % of the average monthly salary in Russia.

Some flight ads refer to the near missile test site, describing it as a “unique” vacation.

Anastasia says that no missiles were launched as they were there, but gaming missiles were sold nearly $ 40 (30 pounds).

Anastasia described her usual journey during her journey, she will get breakfast at 08:00 when many activities and 09:30 were planned on a more relaxed day.

Regarding the food offered, there was a “lot of meat”, usually in the sweet and sour sauce, and according to the cabbage and carrots in the sauce.

She says the 500ml beer bottle was very cheap, as it cost about 60 cents on the beach, while the favorite souvenirs for tourists were Olympic clothes in North Korea.

Another tourist, Daria, described writing on Instagram, the resort as “very raw” and “not the type of holidays that Russian tourists are used.”

“But if you are tired of Asia, Turkey, etc., you want something strange – this is the case,” she added.

However, there is uncertainty about the time when Russian tourists coming will be allowed to enter Wonsan Kalma.

The travel agency, which organized the first three trips to the resort, said that there is a great interest in potential rounds in September, but the North Korean authorities have not yet agreed.

Initially, online tours were announced by Russian travel agencies in mid -September, but this was later removed.

It is not only the Russians who face difficulties in reaching Wensan whenever.

Even China’s citizens, who limits North Korea and its main and economic partner, are facing difficulties in reaching the resort, according to Andre Lancov, an expert in North and Russian Korea relations and professor at the University of Kokin in Seoul.

Pyongyang says deliberately limits the number of tourists and is closely controlling their movements, in part so that the North Koreans themselves do not compare themselves uncomfortable to the wealthiest foreigners.

“How ordinary people may start asking,” says Lancov. “Lancov says.

For this reason, North Korea concluded that it is very better not to have many foreigners entering the country.

With the restrictions of travel to reduce North Korea, tourism from Russia has risen, although it is still modest compared to other destinations.

In 2024, about 1500 Russians traveled to North Korea for tourism, according to the federal security border guards in Russia.

On the other hand, he visited more than 6.7 million Türkiye and went nearly 1.9 million to China.

However, in the second quarter of 2025, 1673 Russians entered North Korea as tourists – the last level was seen in 2010, before the introduction of tourist restrictions.

Wonsan Kalma is seen as a key to reviving North Korea’s sick wealth, but it was not indisputable.

Since the resort began construction in 2018, human rights groups have protested the abuse of its alleged workers. They refer to reports that people will be forced for long hours to end the huge project under harsh and insufficient compensation conditions.

BBC is close to the North Korean embassy in London to comment.

Despite the challenges of reaching Wonsan Kalma, and the restrictions imposed on what Russian tourists can do upon their arrival in North Korea, Anastasia says it hopes to return next year.

“We are already thinking about collecting the entire group next year to go to the same place.

“I am not sure if it would represent it, but I heard that there is also a ski resort near Wonsan Kalma. So, I will also visit this resort.”