Monday 8th January

• 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.

Tuesday 9th 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 12:55pm (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.

Wednesday 10th 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 40RMB or 5 euros).
• 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 a local Korean restaurant to try the local famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles or the traditional Korean dish of Bibimbap!
• 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.
• 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 – monument to the everlasting Juche Ideology (optional 40RMB or 5 euros to go to the top).
• Stop by Mansugyo Beer Bar – a very popular bar with the locals, soft drinks and coffee also available.
• Dinner at the National restaurant with performance!
• Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.

Thursday 11th 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
• 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.
• Party Foundation Monument – this monument is 50 meters high and displays the socialist hammer, sickle and writing brush
• Visit Mansudae Art Studio – where the nation’s most important art work and statues are created. This is where we get to meet some of the local artists too
• Pyongyang Gold Lane Bowling Alley (20RMB or 2 euros to play a game).
• Stop by the Kwangbok 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.

Friday 12th January

Morning

• Wake up early and make our way down to Kaesong City
• Panmunjom DMZ Village – see the DMZ and the treaty and conference 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. Explore the folklore 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 Korean BBQ Restaurant.
• Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.

Saturday 13th January

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 the overnight train to Beijing and enjoy the peaceful countryside of both the DPRK and China

Sunday 14th January

Morning

• Train members arrive 9:00am in Beijing Railway Station.

Read More