Young Pioneer Tours
Ultra Budget Independent Tour – Sample Itinerary
Quite simply the cheapest way to visit Pyongyang. Our Ultra Budget tour option packs in all the must-see sights of Pyongyang.
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 Juche tower, Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang Metro, Korean War Museum, the large bronze statues, a department store and much more!
Day 1 – Dandong, China – Pyongyang, DPRK
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 the tour itinerary, tourist regulations, receive DPRK visas and train tickets.
- Board the day sleeper train departing at 10:00am and arriving in Sinuiju to go through DPRK entry procedure.
- Continue train journey to Pyongyang and enjoy the scenic countryside along the way.
Afternoon
- Optional lunch on the train in the dining cart (50RMB)
- 6:45pm arrival in Pyongyang to be met with a warm welcome by local guides
- Driving city tour of Pyongyang, including a stop at Kim Il Sung Square, the central square of Pyongyang City, for a walk and pictures.
- Dinner at a local restaurant on Ryomyong street – a residential street constructed in 2017 with a metro station, local shops and lines of new tall apartment buildings
- Check in and overnight at Chongnyon Hotel
Day 2 – Pyongyang
Morning
- Breakfast at hotel
- 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 and where previously military parades have taken place
- The Foreign Language Bookshop – your perfect opportunity to purchase North Korean books, magazines, pins, posters, newspapers, and other collectables
- 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 flowers if you wish: 40RMB or 5 euros).
- Grand People’s Study House – a library and academic centre for adults. Languages classes are occasionally held here and teachers welcome our groups for impromptu lessons. This grand building is built in the Korean style and affords a great view over the central square.
Afternoon
- Lunch at the KITC restaurant in Mangyongdae District – here you can have the chance to sample Pyongyang’s famous Cold Noodle dish or the Korean traditional Bibimbap amongst other dishes.
- Visit the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (Korean War Museum)– with captured American weapons, tanks, air planes and a panoramic diorama from a famous battle
- USS Pueblo – the only US Naval vessel held captive by another nation and the centre of a major incident in 1968.
- Ride the Pyongyang Metro – ride 6 stops in total on the famous and deepest underground metro in the world!
- Exiting at the Arch of Triumph – the second largest Victory Arch in the world, built to celebrate the triumphant return of Kim Il Sung after the Anti-Japanese war.
- Monument to the Party Foundation – the iconic stone monument with the giant hammer, sickle and calligraphy brush – built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea
- Juche Tower – The second tallest stone tower in the world, it represents the eternally burning Korean Juche Ideology. To visit the top is 40RMB or 5 euros.
- Stop by Kwangbok Department Store – Pyongyang’s busiest department store. Here is your best chance to browse through locally made North Korean goods and to have access to local DPRK Won currency.
- Stop by the local Hwasong 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 located in downtown Pyongyang
- Kaeson Funfair – enjoy the latest of the DPRK’s amusement parks! (Entry 20RMB or 2 euros per person)
- Overnight at the Chongnyon Hotel
Day 3 – Pyongyang – Dandong, China
- Breakfast at hotel and check out
- Head to Pyongyang Railway Station with a quick city tour along the way
- Depart on the 10:25am day sleeper train and arrive back into Dandong Railway Station at 4:30pm
- Tour concludes
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Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
