Tripadvisor
Young Pioneer Tours
North Versus South: World Cup Football Tour
Head to Pyongyang to see the potentially historic World Cup qualifier between North Korea and South Korea!
These two teams have only met once before in Pyongyang, back in 1990, since then matches have been played in a neutral venue, usually in China. There is no guarantee this match will be played in Pyongyang, but in the current political climate on the peninsula there is a very good chance and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be there! If the match is changed to a neutral location we will be running a tour there and will give you a full refund up to 14 days before the tour starts. We will update when there is news.
The Qatar 2022 World Cup Asian qualifying drew some big names together, but none more so than North and South Korea. We will be heading to Pyongyang to spectate this historic match. The stadium is yet to be announced of course, but whether its the May Day Stadium or Kim Il Sung Stadium we will be there.
During the day we’ll also be visiting the main sights of Pyongyang, from the metro and a local supermarket to the Grand Statues, War Museum and Juche Tower. You can extend your tour with various add-ons but we have designed this tour as the quickest and cheapest way to watch the football in Pyongyang.
Return Pioneer discounts apply!
Monday 14th October
Morning
- Meet your YPT guide at 8:00am inside the entrance of the Dandong Railway Station to collect train ticket, DPRK visa and go through DPRK procedure.
- Board the 10:00am train from Dandong.
- Arrive in Sinuiju to go through DPRK entry procedure.
- Continue the train ride onto 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.
- 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 the Sosan Hotel.
Tuesday 15th October
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 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 to try the famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles or Korean 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 5 euros to go to the top).
- Dinner at the National Restaurant with performance!
- TRIP HIGHLIGHT – 2022 Fifa world cup qualifying march – Join the locals in Kim Il Sung Stadium to watch the qualifying match between Koreas two national teams!
- Taedonggan Beer Bar No.3 – three different microbrews on tap, 2 euros each.
- Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Wednesday 16th October
Morning
- Check out of Sosan Hotel.
- Slow drive to Pyongyang train station stopping at a few interesting places in the city for last photos.
- Depart Pyongyang by train at 10:25am
- 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
