Young Pioneer Tours
Victory Day Tour
Victory Day is considered one of the major annual holidays in North Korea and is your perfect chance to have a further insight into the country and their culture.
Spectate and partake in the mass dance event involving over 3,000 university students, possible parades, fireworks and numerous other celebrations in Pyongyang as the North Koreans mark the event when the Korean War armistice was signed on July 27th 1953 formally ending the fighting of the Korean War.
Throughout our tour you’ll be exploring all the must-see sights of Pyongyang including the Mausoleum where both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lay in state. Experience the deep mysterious Pyongyang Metro as you ride six stations of line 1! You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Korean War Museum or formally known as “Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum” which coincides with the events of this tour, wander Kim Il Sung Square, visit the top of the Juche tower, browse through a North Korean supermarket, and much more.
No trip to the DPRK is complete without visiting Panmunjom Village (the DMZ) and going further off the tourist path to view the secretive and controversial concrete wall.
Extend your stay with us for Group B as you head further north of Pyongyang to the famous International Friendship Exhibition where gifts from all around the world were presented to the past and current leaders of North Korea. This exhibition is buried deep into the mountain and is an absolute highlight not to be missed.
Whilst in the mountain ranges, we’ll go for a hike for incredible views of the valley below and stay overnight in the small town of Hyangsan. Before we return to Pyongyang, you’ll explore one of the few remaining Buddhist temples in the country as well as a cave that’ll take us deep into the mountain.
We’ll then head southwest of Pyongyang to the busy port city of Nampo where you’ll have the chance to see North Korean factories and a farm up close as we explore the lesser-visited industrial and agriculture regions of North Korea.
With the sun shining bright, and clear skies ahead, what better time to join us on tour. Reserve your spot on tour before it’s too late!
Wednesday 24th July
- 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, 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 takers depart Beijing Central station at 5:25pm for the 24 hour sleeper ride to Pyongyang.
Thursday 25th July
- Train group arrive at Dandong at 7:00am for Chinese border control then depart for Sinuiju at 10:30am for the extensive border control from the DPRK side
- Flight takers depart Beijing Airport Terminal 2 on Air Koryo at 12:00pm (Group will meet at Air Koryo check-in counter).
- Flight group arrive in Pyongyang at 3:00pm to a warm welcome from your Korean guides.
- Train group arrive at 6:45pm to an equally warm welcome.
- Dinner at a local Korean restaurant on Ryomyong Street.
- Check in and overnight at Sosan hotel.
- In the evening your YPT guide will show you around the hotel before taking you for drinks and to get to know your Korean guides.
Friday 26th July
Morning
- 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
- Visit the Pyongyang Foreign Language Bookshop – A great place to buy books, pins, posters and Korean DVD’s
- 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 flowers if you wish: 40RMB or 5 euros).
Afternoon
- Lunch at the Hot Pot Restaurant
- 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.
- Monument to the Party Foundation – built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Worker’s Party.
- Visit Kwangbok department store – here is your best chance to browse through locally made goods in the DPRK and to have access to local Korean Won currency
- Dinner at the KITC No.1 Restaurant to sample Pyongyang Cold Noodles or a traditional Korean dish, Bibimbap.
- Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Saturday 27th July – Victory Day!
Morning
- 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.
- Pyongyang Metro – ride 6 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.
- Juche Tower – The tallest stone tower in the world this monument represents the eternally burning flame of the Juche idea (Optional extra 40RMB or 5 euro to go to the top of the tower).
Afternoon
- A gentle hike and BBQ picnic on top of Mt Ryangak – a mountain located just on the outskirts of Pyongyang to enjoy the magnificent views of the capital. This mountain is usually packed with locals having picnics with their family & friends with lots of singing and dancing.
- Special celebratory events (optional: 150RMB or 20 euros) – Yet to be confirmed but we will take part in any events that are possible for tourists to attend. These may include a circus performance, red orchestra, or possibly some other surprises.
- Spectate and/or join in on the Pyongyang university students performing a mass dance near an iconic DPRK monument – fantastic for photo opportunities!
- Visit Kaeson Youth Funfair – entry 15RMB or 2 euros, rides approx 30RMB or 4 euros each.
- To be confirmed: We’ll gather in Kim Il Sung Square to watch the fireworks amongst the locals to celebrate today’s event.
- Overnight at Sosan Hotel
Sunday 28th July
Morning
- Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – The mausoleum for the Great Leader President Kim Il Sung and the Dear Leader Kim Jong Il.
- Revolutionary Martyr’s Cemetery – The resting place of the greatest of the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters each grave features a bronze bust of the hero laid to rest within.
Afternoon
- Lunch at the Moran Hill Restaurant
- Visit Mansudae Art Studio – a chance for us to meet local artists where the state’s monuments, portraits, vases are produced for the country
- Jangchon Vegetable Cooperative Farm – A cooperative farm located in the outskirts of Pyongyang where the locals grow watermelon, chili, corn, potatoes and you have a chance to explore a farmers house, a nursery school and revolutionary hall.
- Visit Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill – established in 1948, it is the largest textile factory in Pyongyang with over a thousand employees producing fabric. The local workers will demonstrate the spinning, dyeing, and weaving techniques used in the DPRK.
- Dinner at the National Restaurant with a special performance from the waitresses
- Stop by the local Mansugyo Beer Bar – we expect it to be hustling and bustling, cheap beers, coffee and soft drinks also available
- Special farewell dinner at the Haeyang Restaurant with guides
- Overnight at Sosan Hotel
Monday 29th July
Morning
- Group A Flyers depart Pyongyang at 9:00am on Air Koryo, arrive in Beijing at 10:00am local time.
- Group A Train members depart at 10:25am for Beijing, arriving in Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am on Tuesday 30th July.
Group B continue onto:
- 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.
- Visit Mansudae Art Studio – the nation’s most important artwork and statues are created here. This is where we get to meet some of the local artists too.
Afternoon
- Lunch at the Gold Cup restaurant
- Drive out to the beautiful Mt Myohyang (2 and a half hours)
- Arrive in Hyangsan county located within the mountain ranges of Mt. Myohyang. Here we’ll check in and drop our bags off at the Chongchun Hotel and prepare for hiking
- Hike up the scenic mountain range of Mt. Myohyang (3 hours total), please prepare comfortable hiking shoes and light clothing.
- Dinner and overnight in Chongchun Hotel
Tuesday 30th July
Morning
- Visit the International Friendship Exhibition – Two large gift houses holding the gifts presented to both Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un from people, governments and institutions all over the world.
- Pohyon Temple – One of the 5 famous temples of Korea and one of the largest Buddhist temples in the DPRK.
Afternoon
- Lunch at Chongchun Hotel
- Head back to Pyongyang on the way stopping at:
- Ryongmun cavern – one of the most famous cave structures in Korea, it’s well known for its size and the uniqueness of its rock formations.
- Munsu Water Park – with Indoor and outdoor pools and waterslides available, the park also features plenty for those who don’t want to swim, including a café, beer bar, table tennis, billiards, gym, massage or get a North Korean haircut – swimming 80RMB other services around 50RMB. A great place to mingle with local people!
- Dinner at Potonggang Restaurant
- Overnight at the Chongnyon Hotel to experience another hotel in Pyongyang! This hotel was built for the World Youth Games back in 1989, recently renovated, and has Pyongyang’s only outdoor swimming pool that tourists can jump into!
Wednesday 31st July
Morning
- Drive to Nampo City (2 hour) – a major port city located south west of Pyongyang
- Visit Tae’an Friendship Glass Factory – a very retro factory in cooperation with a Chinese company which produces most of the glass used in the DPRK
- Explore Chongsan Co-Operative Farm – here you’ll have the chance to explore a North Korean farm, visit a local nursery a farmer’s house and learn the difference between a state and co-op farm in the DPRK.
Afternoon
- Lunch at the Habour Restaurant in Nampo city.
- Drive to the West Sea Barrage – an astounding example of socialist construction, the 8km long barrage was built to separate salty water of the Yellow Sea from the fresh water of the Taedong River to promote better farmland as well as controlling the tide of the river. We visit the top of this massive Soviet project.
- Visit Kangso Mineral Water Factory – Home to the DPRK’s most famous sparkling water –you learn how it’s pumped from the ground, bottled and delivered. No visit is complete without samples!
- Head to the Meari Shooting Range which been recently renovated and equipped with rifles, pistols, archery, virtual games and automatic rifles. 3RMB per bullet.
- Farewell dinner at National Restaurant with performance
- Overnight at Chongnyon Hotel
Thursday 1st August
- Group B Flyers depart Pyongyang at 10:30am on Air Koryo, arrive in Beijing at 10:00am local time
- Group B Train members depart at 11:30am for Beijing
Friday 2nd August
- Train members arrive into Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am
Tour Extensions
Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
