Young Pioneer Tours
Christmas in Pyongyang & DMZ Tour
Looking for somewhere unique to spend this Christmas for a fun story to tell the family and friends? Come join YPT on our second ever Christmas visit to the DPRK! What better way to spend Christmas than in the heart of Pyongyang?
We’ve designed this trip to be packed full of all the must see sites and we’ll be doing it all on Christmas day! We’ll be visiting the Kim Il Sung Square, the Korean War museum where the captured US spy ship rests, riding the famous Pyongyang Metro and amongst other awesome activities!
For those who want to spend an extra day with us to see the DMZ from the north side come join our Group B option! We’ll visit the city of Kaesong which is only a few kilometres from the border. We’ll also check out another city halfway between Kaesong and Pyongyang to try their famous locally brewed Makkoli.
We’ve designed this tour to be short and sweet.. and easy on the wallet after those hefty expenses!
Please note: All travellers must have a re-entry visa into China as there isn’t enough time to apply for a Chinese visa in Pyongyang and the 144 hour transfer visa doesn’t permit rail use.
|
Group
|
Start Date
|
End Date
|
Price
|
|---|---|---|---|
| A | December 24th | December 26th | €445 |
| B | December 24th | December 27th | €595 |
Sunday 24th December – Christmas Eve
Morning
- Meet your YPT guide at 8:00am inside the entrance of the Dandong Railway Station to collect train ticket, DPRK visa and go through DPRK procedure.
- Board the 9:25am train from Dandong.
- 10:25am arrival in Sinuiju to go through DPRK entry procedure.
- Ride on into Pyongyang and enjoy the beautiful countryside along the way.
Afternoon
- Optional lunch on the train (50RMB extra)
- 5:30pm arrival in Pyongyang to be met by your guides
- Driving city tour of Pyongyang, including us stopping at Kim Il Sung Square for a walk and pictures
- Dinner and overnight in the Sosan Hotel.
- Celebrate Christmas Eve by singing Karaoke and having a few drinks with your Korean guides! (optional- extra charge for Karaoke fees)
Monday 25th December – Christmas Day
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 flowers if you wish: small bunches are 2 euro, larger ones 4).
- 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.
- 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.
Afternoon
- Lunch in the KITC Original Restaurant to try famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles or Korean Bibimbap dish
- 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.
- Juche Tower – monument to the everlasting Juche Ideology (optional 5 euros to go to the top).
- 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.
- Monument to the Party Foundation- Built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the worker’s party.
- Taedonggang Micro Brewery #3 – Here we’ll spread the Christmas joy and get merry with the locals!
- Dinner at National Restaurant with a live performance from the waitresses
- Drinks and overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Tuesday 26th December – Boxing Day
Morning
- Group A – depart at 10:10am from Pyongyang Railway Station, arriving in Dandong at 5:00pm
Group B continue on:
- Drive to Kaesong and the DMZ.
- Koryo Museum – Korea’s first university and now a museum of history and culture and also home of the best stamp and propaganda poster shop in the DPRK, so don’t forget your wallet!
- The DMZ – See one of the tensest places on earth complete with a friendly KPA officer who will not only give you a guided tour but also keep you safe. Also, the only place you can take photographs of and even with a solider!
Afternoon
- Lunch at the Thongil Restaurant in Kaesong City- try your hand at traditional Korean Pasangi – a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Optional extras – Dog soup 5 euro, Ginseng stuffed whole chicken 30 euro – can be split between several.)
- Drop by Sariwon City (capital of North Hwanghae Province) to walk in the local folk custom park and view the city from the mountain pagoda.
- Try locally brewed Makkoli from a nearby local brew house
- Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Thongil Highway.
- Dinner and drinks at the Duck BBQ restaurant
- Drinks and overnight at the Sosan Hotel
Wednesday 27th December
- Wake up and check out of hotel
- Board the 9:55am train to Dandong
Afternoon
- Optional lunch on train (50RMB extra)
- 5:00pm arrival in Dandong
- Tour concludes – if you need to make any accommodation or a way out of Dandong please let us know!
Tour Extensions
Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
