Young Pioneer Tours
North Korea Classic Tour – Itinerary sample
Our North Korea Classic tours has always been one of our most popular itinerary for visiting North Korea giving you the choice to enter the DPRK from Beijing by overnight sleeper train or an Air Koryo flight.
During your tour with us you’ll have the opportunity to explore all the must-see sights of Pyongyang such as the large bronze statues of the leaders, the Korean War Museum & USS Pueblo, ride the deepest metro system in the world, explore Kim Il Sung Square, visit the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun (Mausoleum) where both previous leaders currently lay in state, shop at a local department store, visit the very top of the Juche tower and much more.
You’ll then head north of Pyongyang with us to Mt. Myohyang where the unique International Friendship Exhibition is built into the mountain and holds gifts presented to Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un from other nations, organisations and individuals. Whilst we’re up in the mountains we’ll explore one of the very few remaining Buddhist temples in the country, a cave that’ll take us deep into the mountain, and stay overnight in one of the best hotels in North Korea.
Day 1 – Beijing, China
- 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, tourist regulations, 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 members: Follow your YPT guide to Beijing Railway Station and depart at 5:26pm on the overnight sleeper train to Pyongyang together.
Day 2 – Beijing – Pyongyang, DPRK
- Train members arrive into Dandong at 7:35am for Chinese border control then depart to Sinuiju at 10:30am for the extensive border control from the DPRK side. Continue train journey to Pyongyang and enjoy the scenic countryside along the way.
- Flight members: meet YPT staff at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) Terminal 2 at the Air Koryo check-in counter at 9:00am for your departing flight at 12:00pm arriving into Pyongyang at 3:00pm to a warm welcome from your Korean guides.
- Train members arrive into Pyongyang at 6:45pm to an equally warm welcome.
- Dinner at a local restaurant on Ryomyong street – a residential street constructed in 2017 with a metro station, local shops and lines of new tall apartment buildings
- Check in and overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel.
Day 3 – Pyongyang
Morning
- Buffet breakfast at hotel
- Morning walk along Pyongyang’s main avenue from Pyongyang Grand Theatre down towards Kim Il Sung Square
- Explore Kim Il Sung Square – the central square of the capital and where previously military parades have taken place
- The Foreign Language Bookshop – your perfect opportunity to purchase North Korean books, magazines, pins, posters, newspapers, and other collectables
- 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).
- Grand People’s Study House – a library and academic centre for adults. Languages classes are occasionally held here and teachers welcome our groups for impromptu lessons. This grand building is built in the Korean style and affords a great view over the central square.
Afternoon
- Lunch at the KITC restaurant in Mangyongdae District – here you can have the chance to sample Pyongyang’s famous Cold Noodle dish or the Korean traditional Bibimbap amongst other dishes.
- Visit the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (Korean War Museum) – an English-speaking Korean People’s Army officer will guide you through this enormous museum featuring captured American weapons, tanks, air planes, and a panoramic dioramas
- USS Pueblo – the only US Naval vessel held captive by another nation and the centre of a major incident in 1968.
- Ride the Pyongyang Metro – ride 6 stops in total on the famous and deepest underground metro in the world!
- Exiting at the Arch of Triumph – the second largest Victory Arch in the world, built to celebrate the triumphant return of Kim Il Sung after the Anti-Japanese war.
- Monument to the Party Foundation – the iconic stone monument with the giant hammer, sickle and calligraphy brush – built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea
- Juche Tower – The second tallest stone tower in the world, it represents the eternally burning Korean Juche Ideology. To visit the top is 40RMB or 5 euros.
- Stop by Kwangbok Department Store – Pyongyang’s busiest department store. Here is your best chance to browse through locally made North Korean goods and to have access to local DPRK Won currency.
- Hwasong Beer Bar – usually a very busy and happening bar in Pyongyang, cheap beers with over seven different local brews on tap! Coffee and soda also available
- Dinner at the Korean Hot Pot restaurant
- Overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel
Day 4 – Pyongyang – Mt. Myohyang
Morning
- Buffet breakfast at hotel
- Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – The mausoleum for the Great Leader President Kim Il Sung and the Dear Leader Kim Jong Il. A truly unique experience.
- 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 Pyongyang’s famous Korean BBQ Restaurant – located across the road from Pyongyang’s famous central park
- Begin drive up to Mt Myohyang along the highway – 2 and a half hours north of Pyongyang.
- Explore Manpok Valley – a gentle hike through along the river which includes waterfalls, and unique rock formations. For those energetic we’ll guide you to the top which offers stunning views of the Myohyang mountain ranges.
- Check-in to Hyangsan Hotel – considered the best hotel in the entire country. This five-star deluxe hotel is situated between the mountain ranges of Mt. Myohyang and offers an indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna, massage, karaoke bar and a revolving restaurant on the top floor.
- Dinner, drinks and overnight at Hyangsan Hotel
Day 5 – Mt. Myohyang – Pyongyang
Morning
- Breakfast at hotel
- Visit the International Friendship Exhibition – buried deep into the mountain, these two large exhibitions hold the gifts presented to Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un from people, governments and institutions all over the world. One of the most unique visits we’ll be making this tour.
- Pohyon Temple – One of the five famous temples of Korea and one of the largest Buddhist temples in the DPRK.
Afternoon
- Lunch at the Hyangsan Hotel
- Drive back to Pyongyang and on the way stopping at Ryongmun Cavern – one of the most famous cave complexes in the DPRK and is famous for its stalactite and stalagmite formations. Be sure to pack a jacket as the caves are rather cool all year round.
- Arrive in Pyongyang and dinner located downtown
- Evening stroll from the west side of Pyongyang to the east crossing over the Taedong River for a perfect photo opportunity of May Day Stadium – the world’s largest seated capacity stadium.
- Check-in to Yanggakdo Hotel
- Kaeson Funfair – enjoy the latest of the DPRK’s amusement parks! (Entry 20RMB or 2 euros per person)
- Overnight at Yanggakdo Hotel
Day 6 – Pyongyang – Beijing
Morning
- Buffet breakfast at hotel
- Flight members: Head to Pyongyang Sunan International Airport and depart at 9:00am on Air Koryo flight arriving into Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) Terminal 2 at 10:00am
- Train members: Head to Pyongyang Railway Station and depart at 10:25am on the overnight sleeper train
Day 7 – Beijing
Morning
- Train members arrive into Beijing Railway Station at 8:40am
- Tour concludes
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