What better time to escape the madness of Spring Festival in Asia this year than to be away from it all in North Korea.
Come join us as we’ll be exploring all the must-see sites around Pyongyang such as the Mausoleum, the newly renovated Korean War Museum, the Juche Tower, Kim Il Square, the mysterious Pyongyang Metro, bowling, micro-breweries and much more.
During this tour, we’ll head north of Pyongyang and explore Mt Myohyang where the International Friendship Exhibition is built into the mountain and holds gifts presented to both Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un from other nations, originations and individuals. One of the most unique highlights of North Korea and definitely not worth missing out on.
No trip to the DPRK is complete without visiting the iconic Panmunjom (DMZ), site of the separation of Korea where our group will have our very own Korean’s People Army officer to guide us around.
Tickets are limited during this season so please be sure to book with us early so we can ensure your spot on the tour is secured.
Please note: the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang will be closed for the entire length of the tour. To join this tour you must have a re-entry visa into China or use the 144 hour transfer visa.
Meet your YPT guide at 1:30pm at the Beijing Zhong Gu Hotel near Beijing Railway Station found here. During this meeting, we’ll go through the tour’s itinerary, receive DPRK visas and tickets, as well as a great chance to meet your fellow travellers and to discuss any other questions you may have about the DPRK.
Train takers depart Beijing Central Station at 5:25pm for the 24-hour sleeper ride to Pyongyang.
Saturday 25th January
Train group arrive at Dandong at 7:00am for Chinese border control then depart for Sinuiju at 10:30am for the extensive border control from the DPRK side.
Flight takers depart Beijing Airport Terminal 2 on Air Koryo at 1:00pm (group will meet at Air Koryo check in counter).
Flight group arrive in Pyongyang at 4:00pm to a warm welcome from your Korean guides.
Train group arrive at 6:45pm to an equally warm welcome.
Dinner at a local Korean restaurant on Ryomyong Street
Check in and overnight at Sosan hotel
Sunday 26th January
Morning
Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – the mausoleum for the Great Leader President Kim Il Sung and the Dear Leader Kim Jong Il.
Revolutionary Martyr’s Cemetery – the resting place of the greatest anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters, each grave features a bronze bust of the hero laid to rest within.
Afternoon
Lunch at a Korean hot pot restaurant
Foreign Language Bookshop – with a large selection of books in English and other European Languages as well as other souvenirs followed by a short walk to:
Kim Il Sung Square – the central square of Pyongyang city and the place where all the action happens.
Pyongyang Metro – ride 5 stops on the famous Pyongyang Underground!
Exiting at the Arch of Triumph – the largest Victory Arch in the world, built to celebrate the triumphant return of Kim Il Sung after the anti-Japanese war
Stop by the Kwanbok Department store where we can shop with the locals and have access to the local DPRK won currency!
Dinner and drinks at the Moran Hill Restaurant
Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Monday 27th January
Morning
Wake up early and make our way down to Kaesong City
Panmunjom DMZ Village – see the DMZ and the treaty and conferences rooms where the armistice was signed all in the company of a friendly KPA officer guide. (You can also take pictures of soldiers here!)
Koryo Museum – the oldest university in Korea and now a converted museum of local history, also the site of the best propaganda and stamp/postcard shop in the DPRK!
Afternoon
Lunch at the Thongil Restaurant in Kaesong City. Try your hand at traditional Korean Pansangi – a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Optional extra – dog meat soup 5 euro)
Drop by Sariwon City (Capital of North Hwanghae Province) to walk in the local folk custom park and view the city from the mountain top pagoda.
Try locally brewed Makkoli in the local tea house
Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Thongil Highway.
Dinner at the Famous Duck BBQ Restaurant.
Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Tuesday 28th January
Morning
Walk through Mansudae Fountain Park and see the mosaic pictures of President Kim Il Sung and the leader Kim Jong Il.
Visit Mansudae Grand Monument – the two large bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il overlooking the city (Optional extra – you can present a bouquet of flowers for 5 euro)
Grand People’s Study House – library and academic centre for adult learners. This grand building is built in the Korean style and affords a great view over the central square.
Visit Mansudae Art Studio – where the nation’s most important artwork and statues are created. This is where we get to meet some of the local artists too
Afternoon
Lunch in a local Korean restaurant to try the local famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles or the traditional Korean dish of Bibimbap!
Visit the recently renovated Korean War Museum. Let the expert local guide show you around the enormous museum featuring dioramas, locally used weapons, tanks, etc., and captured American equipment!
USS Pueblo – the only US Naval Ship still held captive by another nation.
Juche Tower – a monument to the everlasting Juche Ideology (optional 5 euros to go to the top).
Party Foundation Monument – this monument is 50 meters high and displays the socialist hammer, sickle and writing brush
Pyongyang Gold Lane Bowling Alley (2.50 euro extra charge for bowling).
Stop by Mansugyo Beer Bar – a very popular bar with the locals, soft drinks and coffee also available.
Dinner at the National restaurant with a performance!
Overnight at the Sosan Hotel
Wednesday 29th January
Morning
Drive out to Mt Myohyang – 2 and a half hours north of Pyongyang.
Visit the very famous International Friendship Exhibition – two large gift houses holding the gifts presented to both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il from people, governments and institutions all over the world.
Pohyon Temple – One of the five famous temples of Korea and one of the largest Buddhist temples in the DPRK.
Afternoon
Lunch at the Hyangsan Hotel – a five star deluxe hotel situated between the mountain ranges of Mt. Myohyang
Drive back to Pyongyang and on the way stopping at Ryongmun Cavern – one of the most famous cave complexes in the DPRK and is famous for its stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Head to the Meari Shooting Range which been recently renovated and equipped with rifles, pistols, archery, virtual games and automatic rifles. $0.50USD cents per bullet.
Dinner and drinks at a local restaurant in Pyongyang
Evening walk along Ryomyong street – a new residential street constructed in 2017 with a metro station, local shops and lines of new tall apartment buildings
Overnight at Sosan Hotel.
Thursday 30th January
Morning
Flight members depart at 10:30am for Beijing on Air Koryo arriving at 11:30am Beijing time.
Train members depart at 10:25am for the overnight train to Beijing and enjoy the peaceful countryside of both the DPRK and China
Friday 31st January
Morning
Train members arrive 9:00am in Beijing Railway Station.
•Twin share accommodation (single supplements are available for an extra 40 EUR per night).
• Train in and out Beijing-Pyongyang-Beijing (flights are extra)
• All meals in the DPRK unless specified in the itinerary.
• Korean and western guides.
• Air-conditioned bus and driver.
• All entrances (unless otherwise stated).