Young Pioneer Tours
St. Patrick’s Day Ultra Budget Tour & DMZ Tour
We are thrilled to announce our 8th annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration in North Korea!
We have an exciting plan to visit the famous Taedonggang Micro Brewery in Pyongyang, as well as seeing all the main sights such as the Korean War Museum, the deep Pyongyang Metro, Kim Il Sung Square and the large bronze statues of the former DPRK leaders!
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 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 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 already in China or those simply travelling through that 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 you 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 16th March
- 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 10:25am train from Dandong.
- 10:30am 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
- 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
Wednesday 17th March – St. Patrick’s Day
Morning
- Walkthrough 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 0r 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 and the place where all the action happens.
Afternoon
- Lunch in the KITC restaurant to try the famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles or Korean Bibimap.
- 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 the Kwangbok Department Store where we can shop with the locals and have access to the local North Korean won
- Visit Mansugyo local beer brewery – the busiest pub in Pyongyang with 8 locally brewed beers on tap. Sliders are available to taste the latest and greatest brews of North Korea. Coffee and soft drinks are also available.
- Dinner and drinks at the National restaurant with performance!
- Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Thursday 18th March
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
Friday 19th March
- Wake up and check out of the 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
