Tripadvisor
Young Pioneer Tours
Korean People’s Army Foundation Day Ultra Budget Tour
Join YPT for what we believe to be the cheapest ever travel package to take people into the DPRK! Join in on the KPA Foundation celebrations with mass dancing with over 2000 university students of Pyongyang and participating in any other surprises that may occur during the tour!
We’ll also be exploring all the must-see sights of Pyongyang such as Kim Il Sung Square, the Pyongyang Metro, Juche Tower, War Museum, a local department store and much much more.
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 Sariwon city halfway between Kaesong and Pyongyang to try their famous locally brewed Makkoli.
By making use of traveling from Dandong, which is the Chinese border city to the DPRK and is easily reachable from most of China, we are able to offer a great price that has you in the country for 2 nights and 3 days, which is inclusive of one full day of seeing all the main sites of Pyongyang and going out both nights of the trip.
This trip is perfect for those people who are already in China or those simply traveling through who do not have the time or budget to do a full trip. If you need assistance with organising accommodation in Dandong or making your way to or from Dandong city, we’ll be happy to help book for you!
Please note: All travelers 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.
Friday 7th February
Morning
- Meet your YPT guide at 7:30am inside the entrance of the Dandong Railway Station to collect train ticket, DPRK visa and go through DPRK procedure.
- Board the 10:10am train from Dandong.
- 11:15am (DPRK time) 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)
- 6:45pm arrival in Pyongyang to be met by your guides
- Dinner at a local Korean restaurant on Ryomyong Street
- Check in and overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Saturday 8th February – Korean People’s Army Foundation 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 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.
- Foreign Language Bookshop – shopping central for books, pins, DVD’s, CD’s and periodicals in English and other foreign languages, followed by a brisk walk to:
- Kim Il Sung Square – the central square of Pyongyang City.
Afternoon
- Lunch in the KITC restaurant. Here’s your chance to try Pyongyang’s famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles or traditional Korean Bibimap mixed rice 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.
- 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 5 euros to go to the top).
- Monument to the Party Foundation – built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the worker’s party
- Trip highlight – join the university students as they perform a mass dance to celebrate the founding of the Korean People’s Army!
- Stop by Kwangbok Department store – one of the busiest stores in Pyongyang where we can buy local goods using the local currency
- Stop by the local Mansugyo Beer Bar for refreshments – here there are seven different types of locally brewed beer! Soft drinks, coffee and juices also available
- Dinner at the National Restaurant with performance!
- Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Sunday 9th February
Morning
- Group A – depart at 10:25am from Pyongyang Railway Station, arriving in Dandong at 4:30pm
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 soldier!
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.
Monday 10th February
- Wake up and check out of hotel
- Board the 10:25am train to Dandong
Afternoon
- Optional lunch on train (50RMB extra)
- 4:30pm 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
