Young Pioneer Tours
Christmas in Pyongyang & DMZ Tour – December 2024
Looking for somewhere unique to spend your Christmas this year? Join us in Pyongyang and create your unique Christmas tale for your family and friends back home. We’ve designed this tour to be short and sweet.. and easy on the wallet after those hefty Christmas expenses!
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 North Korea for 2 nights and 3 days, which is inclusive of one full day of seeing all the main sites of Pyongyang such as Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang Metro, Korean War Museum, the large bronze statues and much more!
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 South Korean 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.
This trip is perfect for expats living in China or those simply travelling through who 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 can assist you.
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.
Tuesday 24th December – Christmas Eve
Morning
- Meet your YPT guide at 7:30am inside the entrance of the Dandong Railway Station to collect your train ticket and DPRK visa, and to go through DPRK procedure.
- Board the 9:25am train from Dandong.
- 10:25am arrival in Sinuiju to go through the thorough 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 with a warm welcome by your guides
- Dinner at a local Korean restaurant on Ryomyong Street
- Check in and overnight at Sosan hotel
Wednesday 25th December – Christmas Day!
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 a bouquet of flowers for 40RMB or 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.
Afternoon
- Lunch in the KITC restaurant. Here’s your chance to try Pyongyang’s famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles or traditional Korean Bibimap mixed rice dish.
- 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 euro to go to the top).
- Monument to the Party Foundation – built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the worker’s party
- Stop by Kwangbok Department Store – one of the busiest stores in Pyongyang where we can buy local goods using the local currency
- Stop by the local Mansugyo Beer Bar for refreshments – here there are seven different types of locally brewed beer! Soft drinks, coffee and juices also available
- Dinner at the National Restaurant for a special Christmas banquet with performance!
- Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Thursday 26th December – Boxing Day
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
Friday 27th December
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
YPT have removed 2025 and 2026 group tours to North Korea (DPRK) based on recommendations from our North Korean partners. This decision comes in light of several exciting updates we are planning for future tours once the borders reopen to all tourists.
While we anticipate that the travel dates will remain unchanged, we expect significant revisions to the itineraries. These changes align with current industry standards. For more information, you can read further details here and view a sample of the upcoming itineraries shortly.