Shipping tours to DPRK expected in 2014

SHENYANG - Chinese tourists are expected be able to take one-day tours to Sinuiju city of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) by boat from next year, a tourism official said.

Tourists may be able to travel from Dandong city of Northeast China's Liaoning province, which borders Sinuiju across the Yalu River. They may be able to disembark in DPRK, said You Zejun, head of the Dandong municipal tourism bureau.

At the moment, Chinese tourists can only take buses or trains to visit Sinuiju and need to get a border pass four days in advance.

The opening of the ship route will be more convenient for tourists as they can obtain a border pass within one day, said You at an ongoing tourism conference between Chinese and DPRK travel agents.

More than 10,000 Chinese tourists visit Sinuiju each year from Dandong, according to the bureau.

DPRK travel agencies are promoting tourism programs to their Chinese counterparts at the conference, including a ski resort that is expected to open to tourists next year.