Arirang Games anyone?

“A Beijing-based tourism agency specializing in trips to North Korea said yesterday on its Web site that it began booking non-Korean tourists for world-renowned mass gymnastic and artistic performances starting in August.

According to Koryo Tours, eight groups of foreign tourists, including Americans, will be allowed to attend the “Arirang” performances, to be held from Aug. 1 to Oct. 10, at different times.

The tourists will fly from Beijing to Pyongyang and stay three nights at the Yangkakdo Hotel in the North Korean capital, the company said.

The cost for one regular package is 1,590 euros ($2,138, or 1.98 million won); there is a separate entrance fee for the mass games. A luxury package, called the “VIP Tour,” provides “the best accommodations” in terms of transportation, food and seats at the performance, at 2,290 euros, the company said.

The VIP Tour is arranged only for three dates, Aug. 18, Sept. 1 and Sept 8. The last date is fully booked as it falls on the eve of North Korea’s 59th anniversary, which occurs on Sept. 9. Around 100,000 North Koreans are mobilized for the biannual show.”

The above article from the JoongAng Daily

If you missed the link above, Koryo Tours can be found at www.koryogroup.com