Young Pioneer Tours
Youth Day Mini Break Tour
Youth Day, one of North Korea’s minor national holidays but still celebrated in a big way!
Come join us as we partake in the Mass Dance event with over 2000 university students in Pyongyang city, explore the deep and mysterious Pyongyang metro as we ride not two but six stations, visit the Korean War Museum and see the North Korean’s story of the war that took place against the Americans, walk around Kim Il Sung Square and see the city from the top of the Juche Tower, and more!
Don’t forget, no trip to the DPRK is complete without visiting Panmumjom (the DMZ) from the North side where North and South Korea meet head on! Don’t waste any time and come join us as we take advantage of Pyongyang’s beautiful weather during this festive time!
Friday 25th August
- 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.
Saturday 26th August
- 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 Yanggakdo Hotel.
Sunday 27th August
Morning
- Up nice and early to drive to Kaesong and the DMZ.
- 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 solider!
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 5 euro or Ginseng stuffed whole chicken 30 euro which can be split between several people.)
- Visit King Kongmin Tomb
- Drop by Sariwon City (capital of North Hwanghae province) to walk in the local folkcustom park and view the city from the mountain pagoda.
- Try locally-brewed Makkoli in the local tea house.
- Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification that stands over the Thongil Highway.
- Dinner at the Duck BBQ restaurant.
- Kaeson Youth Park (entry 2 euros, rides 3 to 5 euros extra each depending on how awesome they are).
- Drinks and overnight at the Yanggakdo hotel.
Monday 28th August – Youth Day
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 flowers if you wish: 5 euros per bunch)
- 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.
Afternoon
- Lunch at Moran Hill Chicken restaurant
- Foreign Language Bookshop – shopping central for books, pins, DVD’s, CD’s and periodicals in English and other foreign languages.
- Kim Il Sung Square – the central square of Pyongyang City.
- 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.
- Special celebratory events (optional: approx 20 euros) – Yet to be confirmed but we will take part in any holiday events that are possible for tourists to attend. These may include a parade, a circus performance, and possibly some other surprises.
- 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.
- Spectate and/or join in on the Pyongyang university students performing a mass dance near an iconic DPRK monument – fantastic for rare photo opportunities!
- Dinner and drinks at National Restaurant with a performance by the waitresses.
- Visit Mansugyo Beer Bar – this bar is one of the popular watering holes for the locals with over 7 different beers to try on tap
- Overnight in Yanggakdo Hotel
Tuesday 29th August
- Flight members depart at 8:30am for Beijing on Air Koryo. (Arriving in Beijing at 9:55am Beijing time.)
- Train members depart at 9:55am for Beijing on train K28.
Wednesday 30th August
- Arrive at Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am where the tour will conclude.
Tour Extensions
Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
