Young Pioneer Tours
Mid-September Mini Break Tour
Planted nicely at the tail end of the DPRK tourism high season, this is a fantastic time to visit North Korea and be some of the only tourists in the country.
Our Mid-September tour will take you to all the Pyongyang classics and must see sights surrounding the capital. During our trip we’ll visit the Mausoleum where both President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il lay in state. We’ll also experience the deep Pyongyang metro as we ride not two, but six stations of line 1! We’ll also have an opportunity to visit the Korean War Museum and see the North Korean’s story of the war that took place against the USA. No trip to the DPRK is complete without visiting Panmumjom (the DMZ) from the North side where North and South Korea meet head on! As well as lots more to do and see!
Don’t waste any time and come join us as we take advantage of Pyongyang’s beautiful September weather!
Monday 18th September
- 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 19th 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 12.55pm. (meet group at Air Koryo check in counter)
- Flight group arrive in Pyongyang at 3:30pm to a warm welcome from your Korean guides.
- Train group arrive at 5:30pm to an equally warm welcome.
- 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.
- Dinner and overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Wednesday 20th September
Morning
- Koryo Museum – Korea’s first university and now a museum of history and culture. Also, home of the best stamp and propaganda poster shop in the DPRK, so don’t forget your wallet!
- 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!
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 5 euro, Ginseng Stuffed Whole Chicken 30 euro – can be split between several.)
- Tomb of King Kongmin – the only original tomb of it’s kind still standing in the DPRK.
- 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.
- Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Thongil Highway.
- Get back to Pyongyang for dinner at the famous Duck BBQ Restaurant.
- Overnight at the Sosan hotel.
Thursday 21st September
Morning
- Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – The mausoleum where President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il lie in state.
- Walk through Mansudae Fountain Park and see the iconic mosaic pictures the leaders.
- Visit Mansudae Grand Monument to show our respects to the President Kim Il Sung and the Leader Kim Jong Il. (Optional extra – you can present flowers if you wish: small bunches are 2 euro, larger ones 4.)
Afternoon
- Lunch at the Chongryu Hot Pot restaurant.
- Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum- See captured American Tanks, weapons and shot down planes, the infamous USS Pueblo and the museums amazing displays and dioramas.
- Juche Tower – the tallest stone tower in the world it represents the eternally burning Korean Juche Ideology.
- 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
- Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s palace – the largest of the schoolchildren’s palaces (extracurricular centres) in the DPRK. We’ll first observe some lessons then watch the amazing performance.
- Drinks at the Taedonggang Micro Brewery #3
- Dinner at KITC Restaurant to try Pyongyang’s famous cold noodle dish or Korean Bibimbap
- Overnight at the Sosan Hotel
Friday 22nd September
Morning
- Flight members depart at 08:30am for Beijing on Air Koryo. (Arriving in Beijing at 9:55am Beijing time.)
- Train members depart at 10:10am for Beijing on train K28.
Saturday 23rd September
- Train members arrive in Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am
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.