Tripadvisor
Young Pioneer Tours
May Day Ultra Budget Tour
Join us for one of the most spectacular holidays to celebrate in North Korea, May Day! What makes this day further more significant is that it also marks YPT’s 16th birthday!
During your tour with us you’ll be visiting all the must see sights of Pyongyang as well as a unique visit to Mt. Taesong in Pyongyang where North Koreans gather to enjoy their day off with their family and friends. You may find yourself in a position where they’ll invite you to join them to eat, drink, sing, dance, or compete in sports. Could there be a better time to go?
By making use of travelling 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 North Korea for 2 nights and 3 days, which is inclusive of one full day of seeing all the main sites of Pyongyang such as the Juche tower, Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang Metro, Korean War Museum, the large bronze statues, a department store and much more!
This trip is perfect for those people who are already in China or those simply travelling 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 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.
Tuesday 30th April
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).
- 5:00pm arrival in Pyongyang to be met by your guides.
- Evening city tour of Pyongyang, including us stopping at Kim Il Sung Square for a walk and pictures.
- Dinner at a local Korean restaurant on Ryomyong Street
- Check in and overnight at Sosan hotel
Wednesday 1st May – May 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: 40RMB or 5 euros).
- Trip highlight – May Day celebrations at Mt Taesong – the largest gathering of North Koreans in Pyongyang takes place here as locals compete in sport competitions, games and other activities. Explore the grounds on your own and mingle with the locals. Feel free to jump in and compete in football, volleyball, tug of war, sack races, and more! The grounds are located next to a fun fair which has soviet roller coasters and rides to test your inner thrill seeker.
Afternoon
- Lunch in the KITC restaurant to try the famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles or Korean Bibimbap.
- Pyongyang Metro – ride five 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.
- Walk to Moran Hill to join the locals for dancing, singing, and drinking!
- Mass Dance – a possible Mass Dance event involving over 3,000 university students will take place at Party Foundation Monument
- Juche Tower – Monument to the everlasting Juche Ideology (optional 40RMB or 5 euros to go to the top).
- Party Foundation Monument – large hammer, sickle and calligraphy brush
- Visit the recently renovated Korean War Museum – let the local military guide show you around the enormous museum featuring dioramas, locally used weapons, tanks, aircraft and captured American equipment!
- USS Pueblo – The only US Naval Ship still held captive by another nation.
- Check out Kwangbok Department store – here we can shop with the locals and have access to local North Korean currency
- Stop by Mansugyo beer bar to join the locals for refreshments.
- Dinner at the National Restaurant with live performance.
- Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Thursday 2nd May
Morning
- Check out of Sosan Hotel.
- Slow drive to Pyongyang train station stopping at a few interesting places in the city for last photos.
- Board the 10:25am train to Dandong.
Afternoon
- Optional lunch on the 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
