“GEGHARD”
SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL
FOUNDATION
2026
2026
2026-03-21
Although the Azerbaijani government consistently claims that it is “rebuilding” Artsakh, opening its borders to tourists, and introducing entry permits and online registration systems, the facts presented by a foreign traveler prove otherwise.
Korean traveler Yang Min recently published a video on his YouTube channel in which he recounts his visit to Artsakh. He describes the trip as “the most difficult” among his travels to 129 countries.
What the tourist documented during his journey bears no resemblance to the “reality” portrayed by Azerbaijan.
Armenian Monuments of Artsakh
Yang Min’s visit was also intended to see the Armenian trace and Armenian monuments of Artsakh. However, as he explains in his video, his numerous requests to organize visits to certain Armenian sites—particularly the main cathedral in Stepanakert—went unanswered. They were declined with evasive responses such as “we are running late” or “we’ll visit later.”
The traveler emphasizes that the group was not even allowed to walk around Stepanakert. He describes the city in the following words: “Tragedy, sadness. Wherever you go, it’s just empty houses.”
The Korean visitor notes that Armenian monuments are either destroyed or “reconstructed” everywhere.
Flaws in the registration website
In July 2025, the Azerbaijani government introduced a special procedure aimed at simplifying and accelerating the process of granting permits to tourists visiting Artsakh. However, as shown in the video, the online entry permit system for tourists does not function properly—neither from outside the country nor within it. As a result, the only option available to visitors is to join pre-arranged group tours. These not only limit tourists’ opportunities to explore and conduct independent observations in the area, but also require them to follow a strictly predefined schedule.
As an example, the traveler notes that the tour guide consistently avoided answering any questions related to Armenians and the local Armenian cultural heritage, or anything that deviated from Azerbaijan’s official narrative.
The Korean visitor also draws interesting comparisons, pointing out that whereas in the past there was a direct passport checkpoint from Armenia to Artsakh for foreign travelers, now “the only way to visit the area is to travel from Azerbaijan westward with special permits.” At the Aghdam (Akna) checkpoint, “not only identity documents are checked, but also the travel permit.”
Accommodation-related Issues
Despite the Azerbaijani government’s declared efforts to repopulate the territory of Artsakh, basic facilities for tourists remain absent. No hotels in Stepanakert are listed on international booking platforms. The traveler emphasizes that even in this sphere the so-called “Azerbaijani hospitality” is not free from attempts to deceive foreign visitors and extract several times higher payments.
Problems encountered during the journey
The Korean tourist also notes that there is no mobile or internet connection in the territory of Artsakh. He received no prior information or guidance about the area before the trip. He was also dissatisfied with the cold and poor attitude of service sector employees. The traveler concludes that this is essentially what the only possible way of visiting Artsakh looks like, particularly when the visit takes place through organized group tours.
Guide or propagandist?
The description of the guide also provides a comprehensive picture of the policy of the Azerbaijani government: prolonged silence, avoidance of answering questions, a complete absence of historical context, overt propaganda, biased and politicized interpretations, and insulting words directed at the former Armenian leadership. According to the traveler, what was taking place was clearly a form of “brainwashing.”
Yang Min states, “But we saw from the flag show, the blasting Azeri music and the rampant vandalism. The Azeris want everything Armenian gone.”
Widespread deception
The Korean traveler concludes his video with striking remarks: “From the Baku rental car and street scammers, the petty hotel and now the restaurant merchants, you did it. You completely blew the country's image”. He summarizes his visit by noting that what he has seen so far are only oil dollars and no real values.