Manpo

Manpo is a border city in Chagang Province (Jakangto) in the far north of North Korea, sitting directly across the Yalu River from the Chinese city of Ji'an in Jilin Province. With a population of approximately 117,000 (2008 census), it is one of the most remote and least-visited cities in the country. Chagang Province is the most restricted province in North Korea for foreign tourists, and Manpo is the only city in the province where tourists have been permitted to travel as part of a guided tour.

In 2019, a border crossing opened between Manpo and Ji'an, allowing Chinese tour groups to visit the city, with plans for other nationalities to follow. However, North Korea ceased all foreign tours in early 2020 and, as of January 2026, the country remains closed to foreign tourists with the exception of Russian nationals. The city's economy is based on light industry, including a wool mill, and agriculture in the surrounding river valley. Manpo sits at a relatively low elevation along the Yalu, with a continental climate — cold, dry winters with temperatures well below −20 °C and mild summers.

The city's appeal for visitors lies in its border-town character, the scenic Yalu River setting, and the rare opportunity to see a North Korean city that has had virtually no tourism exposure. The views across the river into China are a notable feature.

By Plane

There is no airport with scheduled commercial service near Manpo. The nearest airport is Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (FNJ), hundreds of kilometres to the southwest. Reaching Manpo from Pyongyang requires onward travel by road or rail.

By Train

Manpo is connected to the North Korean rail network. The journey from Pyongyang by train is long and passes through mountainous terrain. Prior to the border crossing opening in 2019, rail was one of the few ways to reach the city. All rail travel by foreign visitors must be arranged as part of an organized tour. There are reports of a rail connection from Manpo across the Yalu to Ji'an in China, though its current operational status is unconfirmed.

By Car / Road

It is possible to enter Manpo as part of a guided day trip from Ji'an in Jilin Province, China, via the Manpo–Ji'an border crossing (opened 2019). From Pyongyang, the road journey to Manpo is extremely long, passing through the mountainous interior of Chagang Province, and would take the better part of a day. Bus services exist for local travel but are not available to foreign tourists independently.

There is no public transport system accessible to foreign visitors in Manpo. All movement within the city is arranged by your tour guide in a dedicated vehicle. The city is relatively compact, and some areas may be covered on foot during guided walks. Independent exploration is not permitted.

As Manpo is the only city in Chagang Province open to foreign tourists, the following sites have been reported as part of guided tour itineraries:

• Manpo Pavilion — A traditional-style pavilion offering views over the Yalu River and across to Ji'an, China. It is the most commonly visited scenic spot in the city.
• Junggang Revolutionary Museum — A museum documenting the revolutionary history of the area, typical of provincial museums in North Korea.
• Junggang Farm — A collective farm showcasing agricultural life in the region, included on some tour itineraries.
• Junggang School — A local school, included to demonstrate the education system.
• Manpo Children's Traffic Park — A park where children learn traffic rules, a common feature in North Korean cities.
• Manpo City Kindergarten — A kindergarten included on tour itineraries, where children may perform songs and dances for visitors.
• Manpo Wool Mill — An industrial facility demonstrating local manufacturing.

Visits to Manpo are structured entirely around a guided tour itinerary. Activities are limited to the sites listed above, walking along the riverside with views into China, and interactions arranged by tour guides. There is no independent activity infrastructure for tourists. The border-town setting along the Yalu River offers the primary experiential draw.

Tour groups are typically provided with lunch at the Manpo Hotel, the main hotel designated for foreigners in Manpo. The meal consists of North Korean cuisine, including cold noodles (naengmyeon) and kimchi, with rice and side dishes. There are no independently accessible restaurants for foreign visitors. Food options are limited and entirely controlled by the tour itinerary.

North Korean beer and soju may be available at the Manpo Hotel. Tap water should not be consumed — bottled or boiled water is recommended. There are no bars, cafés, or teahouses accessible to independent foreign visitors.

• Budget: No hostel or guesthouse infrastructure exists for foreign visitors.
• Mid-range: The Manpo Hotel serves as the main hotel for foreigners in the city, primarily used as a lunch stop for day-trip tourists. It is not confirmed whether overnight stays are permitted for foreign tourists.
• Upscale / heritage: No upscale or heritage properties exist in Manpo for tourist use.

• Ji'an (China) — across the Yalu River via the border crossing (opened 2019); tourists on a guided day trip would return here at the end of the day.
• Pyongyang — by train from Manpo, a long but scenic journey through the North Korean interior; the capital offers the country's main tourist infrastructure.
• Huichon — a city to the southwest in Chagang Province, previously the only accessible city in the province; home to the Huichon Hotel and access to Ryongmun Cavern.
• Mount Myohyang (Hyangsan) — approximately 200 km southwest; one of North Korea's premier scenic and cultural sites, home to the International Friendship Exhibition and ancient Buddhist temples.