Grand National Day Tour With Mass Games – September 2025
Join us this year in North Korea as the country celebrates their independence known as National Day! We’re expecting this celebration to be huge with thousands of locals partaking in the mass dance performance and possible fireworks.
During your 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”, 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.
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.
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.
Monday 8th September
Train group arrive at Dandong at 7:00am for Chinese border control then depart for Sinuiju at 10:00am for the extensive border control from the DPRK side.
Flight takers depart Beijing Airport Terminal 2 on Air Koryo at 12:00pm (meet group 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 the Sosan Hotel.
Tuesday 9th September – National Day!
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
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.
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).
Spectate and/or join in on the Pyongyang university students performing a mass dance near an iconic DPRK monument – fantastic for rare photo opportunities!
Afternoon
Lunch at the KITC No.1 Restaurant to sample Pyongyang Cold Noodles or a traditional Korean dish, Bibimbap.
Return to Pyongyang
Monument to the Party Foundation- Built-in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the worker’s party.
Walk along Moran Hill where Korean families gather for outdoor BBQ, singing and dancing. Fantastic for photos.
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.
Visit Kwangbok department store – here we can buy locally made items and exchange our foreign currency into local DPRK Won!
Dinner at Liberation Street
Spectate the Mass Games – The world’s largest performance. Tickets can be purchased with cash only and reserved whilst on tour in North Korea.
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
Wednesday 10th September
Morning
Begin the drive down to Kaesong city (2 and a half hours) stopping for a quick rest and refreshments on the way at a local tea house
Visit 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!
Koryo Museum- the oldest university in Korea and now a converted museum of local history. Located next door is the best propaganda and stamp/postcard shop in the DPRK
Afternoon
Lunch at the Reunification restaurant in Kaesong – try your hand at traditional Korean Pansangi – a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Option extra – dog meat soup or as the locals call it sweet soup for 40RMB or 5 euros per person)
Explore the Tomb of King Kongmin – a 14th century mausoleum and one of the Royal Tombs of the Koryo Dynasty.
Drive back to Pyongyang stopping at Sariwon city – the capital of North Hwanghae province, explore the local local folklore park and view the city from the mountain pagoda. Here you’ll also be able to try locally brewed Makkoli from a nearby local brewhouse.
Photo opportunity at the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Reunification Highway.
Dinner and drinks at the Duck BBQ restaurant
Overnight at the Sosan Hotel
Thursday 11th September
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 anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters, each grave features a bronze bust of the hero laid to rest within.
Afternoon
Lunch at the Chongryu Korean 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.
Juche Tower- The tallest stone tower in the world it represents the eternally burning Korean Juche Ideology. Optional visit to the top 40RMB or 5 euros.
Pyongyang Metro! Ride from Stop 1 to Stop 2 then on to stop 6! Exiting to:
The Arch of Triumph- The largest Victory Arch on the planet- it celebrates the victory over the Japanese and the return of the general Kim Il Sung to his home city.
Dinner at the Pyongyang BBQ Restaurant.
Overnight in Sosan Hotel.
Friday 12th September
Flight members depart at 9:00am for Beijing arriving 10:00am in Beijing local time
Train members depart at 10:25am for Beijing.
Saturday 13th September
Train members arrive at Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am.
• Twin share accommodation (single supplements are available for an extra 40 EUR per night).
• Train in and out Beijing-Pyongyang-Beijing. Flights are extra.
• All meals in the DPRK unless specified in the itinerary.
• Korean and western guides.
• Air-conditioned bus and driver.
• All entrances (unless otherwise stated).
• Flights.
• Extra drinks and souvenirs.
• Cost of visas.
• Tips for Korean guides and the driver.
• Additional events not listed in the itinerary.
• Cost of Mass Games ticket
Contact us
We have expert guides ready to help answer any questions you may have.