Spring Ultra Budget & DMZ with Pyongyang Trade Fair Extension tour

DESCRIPTION

Spring is one of our favourite times to be in North Korea and the most pleasant temperature for you to explore Pyongyang, the DMZ and the Pyongyang Trade Fair.

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 the Grand People’s Study House, Juche tower, Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang Metro, Korean War Museum, the large bronze statues and much more!

For those who want to extend your stay with us to visit the DMZ from the northern side, join our Group B option! You’ll visit the city of Kaesong which is only a few kilometres from the border of South Korea, explore Panmunjom Village (DMZ) and Sariwon city located halfway between Kaesong and Pyongyang to try their famous locally brewed Makkoli and for scenic views.

We’ve also included a very exciting Group C option to do something tourists in Pyongyang aren’t usually able to explore. The Pyongyang Annual Spring Trade Fair is scheduled to commence on Monday the 16th of May and we have full access to this incredibly unique exhibition to what local and foreign companies offer to the people of North Korea. During this group tour we’ll also have more access to sights in Pyongyang you wouldn’t usually have access to on our Ultra Budget tour

This trip is perfect for those people who are already 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.

ITINERARY

Friday 9th May

Morning

Meet your YPT guide at 7:30am inside the entrance of the Dandong Railway Station to collect train ticket, DPRK visa and go through DPRK procedure.
Board the 10:10am train from Dandong.
11:15am (DPRK time) 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 (50 RMB)
6:45pm arrival in Pyongyang to be met by your guides
Evening city tour of Pyongyang, including us stopping at Kim Il Sung Square for a walk and pictures
Dinner at a local Korean restaurant on Ryomyong Street
Check in and overnight at Sosan hotel

Saturday 10th May

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 euros)
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 with performance!
Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.

Sunday 11th May

Morning

Group A – depart at 10:25am from Pyongyang Railway Station, arriving in Dandong at 4:30pm

Group B continue on:

Drive to Kaesong and the DMZ.
Koryo Museum – Korea’s first university and now a museum of history and culture and also home of the best stamp and propaganda poster shop in the DPRK
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 Pasangi – a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Optional extras – Dog soup 40RMB or 5 euros, Ginseng stuffed whole chicken 230RMB or 30 euros – can be split between several.)
Drop by Sariwon city, the capital of North Hwanghae province to explore the local folk custom park and view the city from the mountain pagoda.
Try locally brewed Makkoli from a nearby local brew house.
Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Thongil Highway.
Dinner and drinks at the Duck BBQ restaurant
Drinks and overnight at the Sosan Hotel

Monday 12th May

Morning

Group B – depart at 10:25 am from Pyongyang Railway Station, arriving in Dandong at 4:30pm

Group C continue on:

Attend the opening ceremony of the Pyongyang International Spring Trade Fair and explore over 450 different booths and demonstrations that’ll be taking place this morning at the Three Revolutionary Exhibition Hall. This also happens to be a great scene for street food of North Korea. We’ll also check out the Technology Exhibition Hall held across from the Trade Fair to see technology and industrial equipment introduced to North Korea over the decades as well as their unique satellites

Afternoon

Lunch at Moran Hill Restaurant
Visit Kwangbok department store – here is your best chance to browse through locally made goods in the DPRK and to have access to local Korean Won currency
Film Studio – over 1000 North Korean films were produced here with backdrops of fake locations such as Seoul, China, Japan and even Europe! We’ll also have a chance to dress up.
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.
Head to Gold Lanes Bowling to play and mingle with some locals – bowling is 20RMB or 2.50 euros per game – here they also have laser ag, and a 4D simulator with locally made virtual movies including one of our favourites that has you in the front seat of a pilot during a battle with an unknown enemy.
Taedonggang Beer Bar – usually a very busy and happening bar in Pyongyang, with Pyongyang’s finest brew on tap. Coffee and softdrink also available
Dinner at the Pottongang Restaurant
Overnight at the Sosan Hotel

Tuesday 13th May

Morning

Wake up and check out of the hotel
Board the 10:25am 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!

GALLERY