If you want to travel to DPRK with a cheaper option, I would recommend Explore North Korea based in Dandong. Tours start at 5,800 RMB and one can travel both ways on the train. The train is one of the most eye opening experiences, and should not be missed. You get all the places one would get with the other tour ... Full Comment>>

Just to provide some light to this conversation, rather than all heat, aren't the backpackers turned teachers what make it so difficult for legitimate teachers like myself? Speaking as a public school teacher, who went through all the legitimate channels, there are an awful lot of people who come to Beijing or ... Full Comment>>