Visit the unknown Northeast of Korea
NOTE: This tour is to be confirmed. At the moment North Korea is not open for tourism.
During this late summer tour we will take in the National Day festivities in Pyongyang. Every year on the 9th of September a big party is held to commemorate North Korea’s founding in 1948. During the tour you will also see all the highlights of the country including the DMZ, Kumsusan Palace of the Sun and of course the famous statues at Mansudae Grand Monument. Moreover, you will also visit the uknown Northeast coast of North Korea. This area only sees a few visitors per year.
Let me know when North Korea opens up again for tourism
General info
Start date | TBC |
End date | TBC |
Days | 10 days / 9 nights |
Price | € 1,695 |
Including | Accommodation Transportation on the ground Local guide Train in + out Breakfast, lunch & dinner Entry fees |
Excluding | International flights Single room (€ 45 per night) Insurance Food on the train Visa Tips for the guide Personal expenses Additional events Flight Beijing <-> Pyongyang |
Itinerary
7 September – Beijing
- Meet & greet your guide and group in Beijing.
- 5:25 p.m. departure by overnight train to Pyongyang.
8 September – Pyongyang
- 7:00 a.m. arrival border China / North Korea (Dandong / Sinuiju).
- Departure for those choosing to fly from Beijing, arrival in Pyongyang at 4 p.m.
- 6:30 p.m. train passengers arrive in Pyongyang.
- Meet your Korean guides.
- Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.
9 September – Pyongyang – NATIONAL 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.
- 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!
- 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.)
- Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.
10 September – Pyongyang
- Grand People’s Study House, Pyongyang’s library.
- 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.
- Party Foundation Monument, the famous building with the hammer, sickle and calligraphy brush.
- Kwangbok Supermarket, a local market where you can pay with the local currency.
- Taedongang Beerbar #3.
- Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.
11 September – Pyonyang
- Highlight: Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, this is the mausoleum of the great leaders.
- Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, many famous soldiers are buried here.
- Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill, the largest textile factory in Pyongyang.
- Afternoon hike from East-Pyongyang to West-Pyongyang via the Taedong River.
- Mansudae Art Studio, this is where the local propaganda is made.
- Meari Shooting Range, the famous shooting range. (shooting optional)
- Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.
12 September – 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.
13 September – Pyongyang – Chongjin
- Highlight: 10:00 a.m. flight to Orang Airport with Air Koryo
- Drive to Chongjin, the thrird largest city of the country.
- Statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
- Electronic Library, here the locals can use Korean intranet.
- Revolutionary Museum of Chongjin.
- Kim Chaek Steel Complex Kindergarten with a children’s performance.
- Chongjin Art Gallery, one of the best places to see and buy propaganda artwork.
- Soviet Martyrs Cemetery, from here you’ll have an amazing view over the city.
- Namgang Hot Spa (optional).
- Overnight stay at the Chongjin Hotel.
14 September – Chongjin – Mt. Chilbo
- Chongjin Foreign Language Institute, here we can join a class.
- Susongchon Foodstuffs Factory, see here how various products are made.
- Drive to Mt. Chilbo.
- Explanation about the park by our local guides.
- Highlight: Short walk through the park with various rock formations.
- Kaesim Buddhist Temple, we will meet a local monk here.
- Highlight: Drive to our homestay village. Everybody will stay with its own local family who will show you their homes.
- Dinner and overnight stay with your host family.
15 September – Mt. Chilbo
- We hike to the top of the Tokgol and Gangsonmun area for great views of the Mt. Chilbo region.
- Picnic on the mountain top.
- Enjoy life in the village: spectate or play volleyball, play with the children or just take a stroll by yourself around the village.
- Take a tour on a local fishing boat, from where you can see Mt. Chilbo from afar. (30 RMB extra)
- Participate with Korean wrestling or play volleyball. (optional)
- Campfire on the beach with the locals.
- Dinner and overnight stay with your host family.
16 September – Mt. Chilbo – Orang – Pyongyang
- Help the local family with their daily tasks and tell them goodbye.
- Drive to Orang Airport.
- Yombun Revolutionary Site, an amazing spot where they discovered a way to get sea salt from an almost tideless sea.
- Jipsam Revolutionary Site, a revolutionary site right next to the sea.
- 3:00 p.m. flight to Pyongyang.
- Walk down Mirae Scientists Street.
- Overnight stay at the Sosan Hotel.
17 September – Pyongyang
- 10:30 a.m. flight takers depart from Pyongyang (arrival 11:30 a.m. in Beijing).
- 10:10 a.m. train takers depart from Pyongyang via Dandong to Beijing.
18 September – Beijing
- 9:00 a.m. arrival in Beijing, end of tour.