March Budget Tour

DESCRIPTION

Take advantage of the opportunity to explore Pyongyang and the DMZ as winter slowly fades away into spring.

Come join us as we show you an insight on the lives of Pyongyangites as the weather warms, but more importantly this tour takes place just before the “high-season” and gives you the chance to have a more relaxed tour – giving you time to see and explore all the fascinating things the country has to offer – cheap and before most of the tourists start coming.

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 visit to North Korea is complete without exploring the DMZ. This will be your chance to snap a photo with a North Korean soldier as you visit Panmunjom Village and see the very spot where talks between the North and South Korea are held.

ITINERARY

Monday 10th March

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.

Tuesday 11th March

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 12:55pm (group will meet at Air Koryo check in counter).
Flight group arrive in Pyongyang at 4:00pm 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.

Wednesday 12th March

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).
Foreign Language Bookshop – with a large selection of books in English and other European Languages as well as other souvenirs followed by a short walk to:
Kim Il Sung Square – the central square of Pyongyang city and the place where all the action happens.

Afternoon

Lunch in a local Korean restaurant to try the local famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles or the traditional Korean dish of Bibimbap!
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 Mansugyo Beer Bar – a very popular bar with the locals, soft drinks and coffee also available.
Dinner at the National restaurant with performance!
Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.

Thursday 13th March

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 a Korean hot pot restaurant
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.
Party Foundation Monument – this monument is 50 meters high and displays the socialist hammer, sickle and writing brush
Visit Mansudae Art Studio – where the nation’s most important art work and statues are created. This is where we get to meet some of the local artists too
Pyongyang Gold Lane Bowling Alley (20RMB or 2 euros extra charge per game).
Stop by the Kwangbok Department store where we can shop with the locals and have access to the local DPRK won currency!
Dinner and drinks at the Moran Hill Restaurant
Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.

Friday 14th March

Morning

Wake up early and make our way down to Kaesong City
Panmunjom 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 extra – dog meat soup 40RMB or 5 euro)
Drop by Sariwon City (Capital of North Hwanghae Province) to walk in the local folk custom park and view the city from the mountain top pagoda.
Try locally brewed Makkoli in the local tea house
Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Thongil Highway.
Dinner at the Famous Duck BBQ Restaurant.
Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.

Saturday 15th March

Morning

Flight members depart at 9:00am for Beijing on Air Koryo arriving at 9:55am Beijing time.
Train members depart at 10:25am for the overnight train to Beijing and enjoy the peaceful countryside of both the DPRK and China

Sunday 16th March

Morning