Young Pioneer Tours
Pyongyang Bicycle Ultra Budget Tour & DMZ Extension with Mass Games
We’ve taken our classic Pyongyang Bicycle tour and formulated it to a fun size Ultra Budget tour to include all the Pyongyang’s highlights by using North Korea’s most common mode of transport, the bicycle!
Ever since Pyongyang installed its first bike lanes throughout the districts back in 2015, it struck us as a great idea to hold Pyongyang’s first-ever leisurely city cycle tour. With plenty of bicycle city tours already under our belt, we’d like to keep sharing this experience with you as it marks one of our favourite tours of the year and the best advantage to see the capital on two wheels.
You’ll visit locations such as the Korean War Museum, Kim Il Sung Square, Juche Tower, ride along the Taedong River, Pyongyang Metro, and wind your way through many streets and districts of the city.
By making use of travelling from Dandong (which is easily reachable from most of China), we are able to offer a great price that has you in the country for 2 nights, 3 days, which is inclusive of one full day seeing all the main sites of Pyongyang.
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. You’ll also check out another city halfway between Kaesong and Pyongyang to try their famous locally brewed Makkoli and walk to the top of the viewing pagoda with spectacular views on the city below.
The Mass Games, the world’s largest performance with over 100,000 performers is expected to take place during this tour! Now is your chance to watch this grand spectacular performance. Tickets are on-top of tour cost and is paid in cash during your tour in Pyongyang. We highly recommend securing your spot on tour early as we expect spaces to fill up very quickly.
Ticket costs for Mass Games below:
| Ticket Class | Original Price (Per Person) |
|---|---|
| 3rd Class | €100 / 800RMB |
| 2nd Class | €300 / 2,300RMB |
| 1st Class | €500 / 3800RMB |
| VIP | €800 / 6000RMB |
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.
Friday 6th August
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 9:25am 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
- Driving city tour of Pyongyang, including us stopping at Kim Il Sung Square for a walk and pictures
- Dinner and overnight in the Sosan Hotel.
Saturday 7th August
Morning
- Begin our bicycle adventure directly from our hotel and begin cycling our way down to Mirae Future Scientist Street lined with tall uniquely designed apartment blocks that shows off the new-age socialist construction.
- Continue cycling along the Taedong River – this river divides Pyongyang to east and west. It’s a beautiful ride where we’ll be able to see locals fishing along the bank and walking to work or school.
- Cycle to Pyongyang Grand Theatre, and then onward to the iconic Kim Il Sung Square
- We’ll visit the Foreign Language Bookstore near Kim Il Sung Square which has a large selection of books in English and other European languages, as well as other souvenirs.
- Cycle along Changjon Street, another street scattered with high rises, while we make our way to:
- Grand People’s Study House – a library and academic centre for adult learners, this grand building is constructed in the traditional Korean style and affords a great view over the central Square.
- Cycle over to east Pyongyang to the Juche Tower – a monument to the everlasting Juche Ideology (optional 40RMB or 5 euro to go to the top for some amazing panoramic views of Pyongyang city).
- Continue cycling through East Pyongyang – lined with apartment buildings and shops
- Cycle to the Party Foundation monument – a monument built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the party featuring a giant hammer, sickle, and writing brush, the symbol of the Workers Party of Korea
- Cycle onwards to Korean Hot Pot restaurant which is opposite the Foreign Embassy Compound
Afternoon
- Lunch at Korean Hot Pot Restaurant
- Explore the Pyongyang Metro and 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.
- Head to 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).
- Visit the 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.
- Dinner and drinks at the National Restaurant with a live performance from the waitresses!
- Spectate the Mass Games – The world’s largest performance. Tickets can be purchased with cash only and reserved whilst on tour in North Korea.
- Overnight in Sosan Hotel.
Sunday 8th August
Morning
- Group A – depart at 10:25am from Pyongyang Railway Station, arriving in Dandong at 4:30pm
Group B Continue on:
- Up nice and early for the 2.5 hour drive to Kaesong city located only 8km from South Korea.
- Panmunjon DMZ Village – see the DMZ and the treaty and conferences rooms where the armistice was signed all in the company of a friendly KPA officer guide (you can also take pictures of soldiers here!).
- Koryo Museum – the oldest university in Korea and now a converted museum of local history. Also the site of the best propaganda and stamp/postcard shop in the DPRK!
Afternoon
- Lunch at the Thongil Restaurant in Kaesong City – try your hand at traditional Korean Pansangi – a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Optional extras – Dog soup 40RMB)
- Head back to Pyongyang on the way stopping at Sariwon city – explore the local folk custom park and view the city from the mountain top pagoda. A great spot to try Makkoli, a local specialty beverage consisting of rice and alcohol.
- Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Reunification Highway.
- Dinner and drinks at the Korean BBQ restaurant
- Overnight at the Sosan Hotel
Monday 9th August
Morning
- Wake up and check out of the hotel
- Board the 10:25 am 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
