Farming Volunteer Program

DESCRIPTION

Following the wild success of our previous three farming volunteer programs, Young Pioneer Tours will be returning again to aid the farmers with a day’s work in the fields. We’ve created this program specifically to give you exclusive insight and experience as we not only work hard but also play hard, eating and drinking with the local farmers and their families and friends after the day is done.

Chilgol farm is located in the far outskirts of Pyongyang. This farm is operated by over one hundred different Korean families capable of growing cabbage, rice, strawberries, plums, tobacco, sesame seeds, potatoes, corn, cucumbers, and chillies.

To partake in this program you must be prepared to get down and dirty with the farmers as we combine teamwork to complete the daily tasks of transplanting rice by hand and other odd jobs around the field. It’s not exactly backbreaking labour, so anyone can join in!

A YPT western guide will accompany you to not only help you with the dirty farm work but also to show you the must-see sights of Pyongyang to give you a better understanding of the country. This trip is a complete non-profit program. All proceeds YPT makes from this program will be used to purchase goods and valuable gasoline tickets which will help the farmers to run tractors and generators – items that often go unused on the farm due to the shortage of fuel in the country throughout the year. You can read more about our volunteer program here.

This farming volunteer program is an incredible and unique opportunity for you to not only build relationships with farmers and their families but also to learn a thing or two about traditional organic farming, a skill that the DPR Koreans are renowned for.

During this specific tour the Pyongyang Trade Show is in town and we’ll have a unique opportunity to explore the exhibitions that are held here by local and international business. Think of this as a DPRK version of the CES.

ITINERARY

Sunday 20^th May

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 train to Pyongyang.

Monday 21^st May

Train group arrive in 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 12:00pm (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.
In the evening your YPT guide will show you around the hotel before taking you for drinks and to get to know your Korean guides.
Dinner and overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel.

Tuesday 22^nd May 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).
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

Visit the recently renovated Korean War Museum – let the expert local military guide show you around the enormous museum featuring dioramas, locally used weapons, tanks and captured American equipment!
USS Pueblo – the only US Naval Ship still held captive by another country.
Pyongyang Metro! Ride from Stop 1 to Stop 2 then on to Stop 6! Exiting at:
The Arch of Triumph – the largest Victory Arch on the planet, it celebrates the victory over the Japanese and the return of the General Kim Il Sung to his home city.
Juche Tower – the tallest stone tower in the world, it represents the eternally burning Korean Juche Ideology.
Monument to the Party Foundation – built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Worker’s Party.
Stop by Taedonggang Brewery #3 for refreshments (beer, soda, coffee available).
Dinner at the Korean Hot Pot restaurant.
Overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel.

Wednesday 23^rd May – A day at the field Morning

Wake up early and drive to the farm to meet the local farmers and their families. They will give us a tour around the farm and the fields while explaining what our assigned tasks to be completed are for the day.
We will be split into smaller groups, and farmers will be assigned to each group as we head out to complete our tasks!

Afternoon

Time for a break! We’ll eat a home-made meal with the farmers and will be joined by their families as well!
Back to the field to do our best to complete the day’s task.
As we work throughout the day the families will prepare beers and snacks for us to drink together for a job well done!
Relax and replenish ourselves with dinner at the Duck BBQ restaurant.
Head back to the Yanggakdo Hotel for a well-earned shower and sleep.

Thursday 24^th May Morning

Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – Former office of the President, this building is now where the leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lie in state.
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 the Gold Cup restaurant.
Stop by Kwanbok Department store, this is Pyongyang’s largest department store and our chance to exchange our foreign currency into local DPRKorean Won and to spend it on items. Here they have a supermarket, food court, clothing retail and other small stalls selling nifty little things.
Visit Mansudae Art Studio – the nation’s most important art work and statues are created here. This is where we get to meet some of the local artists too.
Visit the Pyongyang Trade Show held at the Three Revolutionary Exhibit – fantastic for photos, and a unique glimpse into the business world of the DPRK
Head to the Rakwon beer brewery for some cheap beers and drinks (.5 euros each).
Dinner at a local KITC restaurant to try the local famous Pyongyang Cold Noodle dish or traditional Korean Bibimbap.
Overnight at Yanggakdo Hotel.

Friday 25^th May Morning

Up nice and early to drive to Kaesong and the DMZ.
Koryo Museum – Korea’s first university and now a museum of history and culture. 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 most tense 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 or Ginseng stuffed whole chicken 30 euro which can be split between several people.)
The DMZ concrete wall – See the wall and meet the DPRK’s coolest general as he takes us around this exclusive area.
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 in the local tea house.
Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification that stands over the Thongil Highway.
Dinner at the famous Duck BBQ restaurant.
Taedonggang Diplomatic Club – There’s local and imported drinks, karaoke, billiards, ping pong and a great chance to meet some local Pyongyang expats!
Overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel.

Saturday 26^th May Morning

Flight members depart at 9:00am for Beijing on Air Koryo. (Arriving at 9:55am Beijing time.)
Train members depart at 10:25am for Beijing on train K28 to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and countryside on the ride back to China.

Sunday 27^th May