North Korea – Liberation Day Tour

Itinerary

12 August – Beijing

• Meet your group and get to know your guide in Beijing.
• 5:25 p.m. departure by night train to Pyongyang.

13 August – Pyongyang

• 7:00 a.m. arrival at the border China / North Korea (Dandong / Sinuiju).
• Those choosing to fly will depart from Beijing at 12 p.m. (tbc) arriving in Pyongyang at 3 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m. arrival of the train passengers in Pyongyang.
• Meet your Korean guides.
• Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.

14 August – Pyongyang

• Highlight: Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, this is the mausoleum of the great leaders.
• Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, many famous soldiers are buried here.
• Ride the Pyongyang Metro.
• Arch of Triumph, a similar triumphal arch as in Paris.
• Korean War Museum, during the tour you will learn more about the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War.
• USS Pueblo, the American ship captured during the war.
• Kwangbok Supermarket,  a local market where you can pay with the local currency.
• Mansugyo Beer Bar
• Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.

15 August – Pyongyang – LIBERATION DAY

• Morning walk through the main street of Pyongyang. We go from the Pyongyang Grand Theatre to Kim Il Sung Square.
• Foreign Language Bookshop, the place to buy books about North Korea.
• Mansudae Fountain Park..
• Mansudae Grand Monument, the great bronze statues of the leaders.
• Grand People’s Study House, Pyongyang’s library.
• Highlight: Join in/or watch from the sidelines with a big mass dance performance with local students.
• Walk through Moranbong Hill. Here you see many Koreans singing, dancing, drinking and eating. If you want you can join in!
• Party Foundation Monument, the famous building with the hammer, sickle and calligraphy brush.
• Highlight: Special festivities, these are often announced at the last minute, but most of the time they are: a parade, circus performances, a classical concert and/or probably some other surprises. (optional: approx. €20).
• Juche Tower (€5 to the top), tower in honour of the Juche ideology.
• Highlight: Watch the Mass Games, the biggest gymnastics show in the world. (t.b.c.)
• Watch fireworks at Kim Il Sung Square. (t.b.c)
• Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.

16 August – Kaesong – DMZ – Sariwon – Pyonyang

• Drive to Kaesong, near the border with South Korea.
• Highlight: Panmunjon DMZ, the border with South Korea.
• Koryo Museum, a UNESCO site.
• Thongil Restaurant, where you can optionally eat dog soup.
• Visit to the concrete wall on the border.
• Ride to Sariwon.
• Folkcustom Park, here you have a beautiful view over Sariwon.
• Try the local drink makkoli (optional).
• Drive to Pyongyang.
• Monument of the Three Charters of National Reunification, an imposing structure across the highway.
• Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.

17 August – Pyongyang – Nampo

• Drive to Nampo.
• Chollima Steel Complex, see how the local products are created.
• Chongsan Cooperative Farm, see how the local products are grown.
• Swimming at Nampo beach with the locals.
• Highlight: Overnight stay at the Ryonggang Spa Resort (with a private spa in each room!). In addition, you can have barbecue clams for € 5 extra.

18 August – Nampo – Pyongyang

• West Sea Barrage, also known as the Nampodam.
• Kangso Mineral Water Factory, a factory producing mineral water bottles.
• Picnic at Mt. Ryangak.
• Mansudae Art Studio, this is where the local propaganda is made.
• Korean Film Studio, the place where local propaganda films are recorded.
• Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace, here we take a short tour, including a performance.
• Taedong #3 beer bar.
• Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.

19 August – Pyongyang – Mt. Myohyang

• Group A departs at 9:00 a.m. by plane to Beijing (arrival at 10:00 a.m.) .
• Group A departs at 10:25 a.m. by night train to Beijing (arrival on the 20th, 9:00 a.m.) .
• Drive to Mt. Myohyang.
• Highlight: International Friendship Exhibition, see all the gifts received by the Korean leaders from around the world.
• Pohyon Temple, a Buddhist temple.
• Hike up to Mt. Myohyang. (2 hours)
• Cave of Ryongmun.
• Drive to Pyongyang.
• Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.

20 August – Pyongyang – Wonsan

• Ride to Wonsan.
• Visit the Sinpyong Lagoon.
• Picnic by the Ulim Waterfall.
• Songdowan International Children’s Union Camp, where children from all over the world come together every year.
• Highlight: Walk over the pier to Chok Islet (optional fish food with locals). Lots of fishermen here.
• Overnight stay at the Songdowon Hotel.

21 August – Wonsan – Pyongyang

• Wonsan Central Square.
• DPRK Mangyongbong-92 cruise ship, a large old passenger ship.
• Railway Station Revolutionary Site, an important site during the liberation of Korea.
• Hightlight: Swim at Wonsan beach with the locals (€ 2 entrance fee).
• Drive to Pyongyang.
• Tomb of King Tongmyong, a tomb from 58-19 BC.
• Overnight stay at the Chongnyon Hotel.

22 August – Pyongyang – Beijing

• 10:00 a.m. departure plane from Pyongyang (arrival 11:00 a.m. in Beijing).
• 10:20 a.m. departure train from Pyongyang.

23 August – Beijing

• 9:00 a.m. arrival in Beijing, end of tour.