Kim Il Sung Birthday TourApril 12th - April 23rd, 2020

(5 days/8 days/10 days)

Without a doubt one of the top tours of the DPRK tourist season, the birthday of President Kim Il Sung is the biggest celebration of the year. We expect this to be a huge celebration with fireworks, mass dancing, possibly parades and a number of other events that will most likely be announced much nearer the time to mark the 107th anniversary of the President’s birthday.

Tour highlightsSpecial events for Kim ll Sung’s 107fth Birthday: these may include fireworks, mass dances or special performances.

Optional helicopter joyride option - board a Mil Mi-17 to take a 40 minute aerial tour of Pyongyang.

Plus all the must-see Pyongyang sites including museums, massive monuments and local life.

Kumsusan Palace of the Sun - The massive mausoleum where the country’s former leaders now lie in State, it’s a place that truly has to be seen to be believed.

Visit the DMZ, Kaesong City and Sariwon City.

Head further north to explore the rural cities of Pyongsong, Mt. Myohyang and the border town city of Sinuiju and Dongrim

GROUP C (10 Days)

Start: April 12th, 2020

End: April 23rd, 2020

GROUP B (8 Days)

Start: April 12th, 2020

End: April 21st, 2020

GROUP A (5 Days)

Start: April 12th, 2020

End: April 18tth, 2020

1899 €1599 €999 €

tour routepreview

Beijing

Pyongyang

Pyongsong

Mt. MyohyangDongrim

DangdongSinuiju

SariwonNampo

Kaesong

Price does not include:

Flights

Extra drinks and souvenirs

Cost of visas

Tips for Korean guides and the driver

Additional events not listed in the itinerary

Price includes:

Twin share accommodation (single supplements are available for an extra 40 EUR per night)

Train in and out Beijing-Pyongyang-Beijing. Flights are extra

All meals in the DPRK unless specified in the itinerary

Korean and western guides

Air-conditioned bus and driver

All entrances (unless otherwise stated)

Tour description

During the tour we’ll explore the must see sights of Pyongyang such as the Korean War Museum, ride the Pyongyang Metro, a 360 degree panoramic view of the city from the Juche Tower, visit the Mausoleum where Kim Il Sung & Kim Jong Il lay in state, explore Kim Il Sung Square and much more.

Aside from the special events linked to the birthday of President Kim Il Sung, our short tour takes you , as well as all the other sites that are a must see whilst visiting the DPRK .

For those with the energy, this is the perfect time to do an extended tour, with those on Group B we’ll take you to the iconic Panmunjon DMZ, site of the separation of Korea for a day tour with our own local North Korean officer. We’ll then head south west of Pyongyang visiting the beautiful city of Nampo and a therapeutic hot spa resort nearby on the west coast, as well as a factory, a farm, and a tour of one of the lesser visited cities. Our super long spectacular tour for Group C takes us to Mt Myohyang where the astonishing Friendship Exhibition is built into the mountain and holds gifts presented to both Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un from other nations. We’ll also stop by the recently opened Pyongsong city to visit the local schools and museums, but also stopping on the way to enjoy the scenic countryside and some of the smaller towns.

To further spice up the tour, Group C will be making a group tour debut to Sinuiju, the border town of the DPRK located next to Dandong in China across the Yalu River. We’ll be taking the domestic train from Pyongyang up to Sinuiju and to be the first group to stay at the Dongrim Hotel in a small city just outside of Sinuiju. We’ll then be visiting the Pomhayanggi Cosmetics Factory, Sinamri Co-operative farm, a local Folklore Park where you can engage in traditional Korean activities with the locals, and to watch a performance done by the Bonbu Kindergarten.

During Group A of our tour, we’ve been given special access to a Russian Mil Mi-17 helicopter to take for a whirl around Pyongyang city for a unique aerial tour of the capital.

We’ll swoop around the iconic, 105-story Ryugyong Hotel, do a low flyby of the Taedong River passing the Juche Tower, have a great glimpse of May Day Stadium – the world’s largest stadium, and explore the many districts sprawling across the city for fantastic and unique photography opportunities. This joyride is completely optional and is €250 per person on top of the tour costs. If you are interested please let us know while booking.

This is what we believe to be one of the most exciting tours of the year. So don’t risk losing your spot and enquire now to secure your holiday to the DPRK.

Friday April 12th

• 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 April 13th

• 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. (Group will meet at Air Koryo check in counter). Flight departure times will be announced closer to the departure date. To avoid any inconvenience we recommend for you to arrive in Beijing the day before to better prepare yourself.

• Flight group arrive in Pyongyang to a warm welcome from your Korean guides.

• Train group arrive at 6:45pm to an equally warm welcome.

• Dinner at a local Korean restaurant on Ryomyong Street

• Check in and overnight at Yanggakdo hotel.

Itinerary

Sunday April 14th

Morning• Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – Former office of the President, this building is now where the

Leader’s Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lay in state.

• 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: small bunches are 2 euro, larger ones 4).

Afternoon• Lunch at the Korean Hot Pot Restaurant.

• The recently renovated Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum – with captured American weapons and vehicles, displays and dioramas from famous battles and much more!

• USS Pueblo – the only US Naval Vessel held captive by another nation and the centre of a major incident in 1968.

• Monument to the Party Foundation – built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Worker’s Party.

• Juche Tower – The tallest stone tower in the world this monument represents the eternally burning flame of the Juche ideal (Optional extra 5 euro to go to the top of the tower).

• 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

• Dinner at the Famous Duck BBQ restaurant.

• Overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel.

Monday April 15th The Day of the Sun

Birthday of President Kim Il Sung Morning• Foreign Language Bookshop – with a large selection of books in English and other European

Languages as well as other souvenirs followed by a short walk to:

• Kim Il Sung Square – the central square of Pyongyang city and the place where all the action happens.

• Pyongyang Metro – ride 6 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.

• Helicopter Joyride option – we’ll drive to Pyongyang Airport for a VIP lunch (included) and board a Mil Mi-17 to take on a joyride for a 40 minute aerial tour of Pyongyang city.

Afternoon• Lunch at the Moran Hill Chicken Restaurant.

• Walk to Moranbong park to drink, dance and celebrate the holiday with the locals.

• Kimilsungia Flower festival Exhibition.

• Mangyongdae Native Home – Birthplace of the President Kim Il Sung and where he spent the early years of his childhood.

• Special celebratory events (optional: approx 20 euros) – Yet to be confirmed but we will take part in any birthday events that are possible for tourists to attend. These may include a parade, a circus performance, and possibly some other surprises.

• 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 at the KITC No.1 Restaurant to sample Pyongyang Cold Noodles or a traditional Korean dish, Bibimbap.

• Kaeson Youth Park (Entry 2 euros, rides 3 to 5 euros extra each depending on how awesome they are).

• We’ll join the locals on Kim Il Sung Square and watch the fireworks light up over the Taedong River.

• Overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel.

Tuesday April 16th

Group A Depart: Morning• Group A train members depart at 10:25 am for the overnight train to Beijing and enjoy the peaceful

countryside of both the DPRK and China. Train arrives in Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am on Wednesday 17th.

• Group A flight members depart at 9:00am for Beijing on Air Koryo. (Arriving at 9:55am Beijing time).

Group B and C continues: Morning• Up nice and early for the 2.5 hour drive to Kaesong City.

• Panmunjon DMZ Village – see the DMZ and the treaty and conferences rooms where the armistice was signed all in the company of a friendly KPA officer guide (you can also take pictures of soldiers here!).

• Koryo Museum – the oldest university in Korea and now a converted museum of local history. Also the site of the best propaganda and stamp/postcard shop in the DPRK!

Afternoon• Lunch at the Thongil Restaurant in Kaesong City – try your hand at traditional Korean Pansangi

– a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Optional extras- Dog soup 5 euro, Ginseng Stuffed Whole Chicken 30 euro- can be split between several).

• Drive up the concrete wall, which separates North/South, here a Korean Senior Colonel will talk to us about the DPRK’s views on the confrontation.

• Drop by Sariwon City (Capital of North Hwanghae province) to walk in the local folk custom park and view the city from the mountain top pagoda. Also if you like you can try Makkoli in a local Makkoli Bar.

• Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Reunification Highway.

• Dinner at the Lamb BBQ Restaurant.

• Overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel.

Wednesday April 17th

Morning• Morning walk along the Taedonggang river which divides Pyongyang into west and east

districts.

• 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.

• 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.

• A gentle hike and BBQ picnic on top of Mt Ryangak to enjoy the magnificent views of Pyongyang city below.

Afternoon• Drive to Nampo City – a city located on the west coast of the DPRK.

• Tae’an Friendship Glass Factory – A very retro factory in cooperation with the Chinese which produces most of the glass used in the DPRK

• Kangso Mineral water factory – Home to the DPRK’s most famous sparkling water – with samples!

• Dinner, drinks and overnight at the Ryonggang spa resort with a private mineral spa bath in each room. Here we have an option to have DPRK’s famous BBQ clams for 5 euros extra per person.

Thursday April 18th

Morning• West Sea Barrage – An astounding example of socialist construction, the barrage was built

to keep the salty water of the West Sea from rendering parts of the Taedonggang River and surrounding farmland useless, as well as to tame the local sea.

• Chongsan Co-operative farm – One of the top co-op farms in the DPRK and a model example of the co-op method.

• Drive back to Pyongyang.

Afternoon• Lunch at the Pottongang Restaurant.

• Visit the newly renovated Pyongyang Metro Museum – showcases the difficulties and challenges that were faced with making the world’s deepest metro

• 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.

• Mansugyo Beer Bar – usually a very busy and happening bar in Pyongyang, cheap beers with over seven different local brews on tap! Coffee and softdrink also available

• Dinner at the National Restaurant.

• Overnight in the newly renovated deluxe Sosan Hotel – to experience a different hotel in Pyongyang! We think this hotel is the fanciest in Pyongyang!

Friday April 19th

Morning• Stop by the Austrian Joint Venture Cafe to pick up Pyongyang’s finest coffee by Kim Il Sung

Square

• Drive to Pyongsong – a city which recently opened to foreign tourists located 45 minutes north of Pyongyang. This city is the busiest city in the DPRK outside of Pyongyang.

• Kim Jong Suk Middle School Number 1 – here you can meet English students and we encourage you to speak and even teach an impromptu class!

• The central Square of Pyongsong City and Statue of the President Kim Il Sung.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Jangsusan Hotel

• Drive back to Pyongyang.

• Head to Gold Lanes Bowling to play and mingle with some locals – bowling is 2.50 euros per game – here they also have 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.

• Afternoon stroll from the east side of Pyongyang to the west crossing over the Taedong River

• Dinner at a local Dongsong restaurant with performance

• Overnight at Sosan Hotel.

Saturday April 20th

Group B Depart: Morning• Group B flight members depart at 9:00am for Beijing on Air Koryo. (Arriving at 9:55am Beijing time).

• Group B train members depart at 10:25 am for the overnight train to Beijing arriving at Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am on Sunday 21st.

Group C continues: Morning• Drive out to Mt Myohyang – 2 and a half hours north of Pyongyang.

• Visit the very famous International Friendship Exhibition – two large gift houses holding the gifts presented to both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il from people, governments and institutions all over the world.

• Pohyon Temple – One of the five famous temples of Korea and one of the largest Buddhist temples in the DPRK.

Afternoon• Lunch at the Hyangsan Hotel – a five star deluxe hotel situated between the mountain ranges of

Mt. Myohyang

• Drive back to Pyongyang and on the way stopping at Ryongmun Cavern – one of the most famous cave complexes in the DPRK and is famous for its stalactite and stalagmite formations.

• Head to the Meari Shooting Range which been recently renovated and equipped with rifles, pistols, archery, virtual games and automatic rifles. $0.50USD cents per bullet.

• Dinner and drinks at a local restaurant in Pyongyang

• Evening walk along Ryomyong street – a new residential street constructed in 2017 with a metro station, local shops and lines of new tall apartment buildings

• Overnight at Sosan Hotel.

Sunday April 21st

Morning• Depart Pyongyang by train at 10:25am and arrive in the remote village of Dongrim at 2:30pm –

Dongrim is the nearest town outside of Sinuiju, located south amongst the valleys of the east coast of the peninsula.

Afternoon• Drive to Dongrim Hotel to check-in and prepare for afternoon hiking

• Hike to Dongrim Waterfall and explore surrounding valley of the mountain range, during warmer weather you can take a dip beneath the waterfall

• Dinner and overnight at the Dongrim Hotel – a brand new swanky hotel with a swimming pool. sauna, table tennis, massage, bars, karaoke, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.

Monday April 22nd

Morning• 1 hour drive to Sinuiju city on the way stopping at:

• Sinamri Co-operative farm – we’ll look out to where the locals grow rice, cabbage, chilli and cucumbers

• Tour the Pomhayanggi Cosmetics Factory and meet some of the local workers that produce some of DPRKorea’s most famous cosmetics

• Visit the mosaic images of the “Three Tigers of Mt. Paektu” Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Suk.

• Explore the large central square of Sinuiju and see the statue of President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il

• Visit the North Phyongan Province Revolutionary History Museum – This will go into detail about the history of the local province.

Afternoon• Lunch at a local restaurant which also features a great souvenir shop.

• Head to the local Folklore Park where there may be chances to engage in traditional Korean activities and some more modern activities too (extra charges apply for partaking in the local games, these will vary from game to game) or you can simply walk around and enjoy the scenery and watch the locals

• Visit the Art Studio which holds over 250 pieces of DPRK fine arts in six large halls – some very cool and eye opening art pieces here!

• Bonbu Kindergarten and performance – Famous for training the Children who perform in the skipping scene of the Arirang Mass games as well as its long history of training artistic performers. The performance here is the best of any Kindergarten in the country.

• Explore Amnok park and walk down to the Amnok River (Yalu River) and see the original Korean/Chinese Friendship Bridge bombed by the Americans during the Korean War. Very few tourist are able to view the bridge from the DPRK side!

• Board the 4:30pm bus and go through Korean customs to finish tour in Dandong, China.

• Board the 6:30pm overnight sleeper train from Dandong to Beijing

Tuesday April 23rd

Morning• Arrive in Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am