But it is this month showing signs of re-opening, with leader Kim Jong Un travelling to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin and sending athletes to compete in the Asian Games in China's eastern city of Hangzhou.
Citing a reporter, Beijing’s state broadcaster CCTV said Monday that North Korea had announced it would allow foreigners to enter its territory.
They will be subject to a two-day quarantine upon arrival, the report added. It did not give further information about the source of the announcement.
North Korean state media did not carry any news of a border reopening.
One Chinese operator of tours to North Korea, Dandong Strait National Tours, told followers on social media site WeChat: “At the moment tours haven’t resumed. Wait patiently.”