28th March – Departure from Beijing to Pyongyang
PM: Meet the group at 1:30pm at the Zhonggu Hotel near Beijing Railway Station. Here we will have our pre-tour meeting where we run through questions about travel to the DPRK and give you your visas and train tickets.
Board the 5:27 overnight train to Dandong, the Chinese border city opposite the DPRK. Food and drinks are available on the train or you can stock up on supplies before we board. We will be travelling by hard sleeper which is six beds to a berth but quite comfortable.
29th March – Pyongyang Arrival
AM: We will arrive into Dandong at around 7am, and have a chance to walk down to the Yalu River
that separates China and the DPRK. Here you can get your first sight of the DPRK and the Broken Bridge which was bombed by the Americans during the Korean War
Board the 9:30 train from Dandong after going through Chinese customs. The train makes the short journey across the China-Korea Friendship Bridge and then stops at Sinuiju Railway Station where we go through Korean customs.
We then carry on all the way to Pyongyang arriving around 4pm, with a table service lunch in the dining car (€7) or snacking on supplies bought in Dandong
PM: Arrive in Pyongyang where we are met by our two English-speaking Korean guides. Go for a walking tour up to Kim Il Sung Square and get great sunset views of the Juche Tower
Head for dinner at the KITC Restaurant No 1, choose between bibimbap and Pyongyang cold noodles for your first taste of Korea. Check into the Yanggakdo Hotel and overnight
30th March – Pyongyang Day Tour
Explore the brand new science and technology park
Explore the Science and Technology Park where the DPRK’s latest medical and scientific technology is on show. Afterwards we’ll go to the Mansudae Art Studio and see some local artists in action, before looking around the Mansudae Film Studios where North Korean films are created
PM: For lunch we head to the Korean hotpot restaurant. After eating our fill we go straight to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation Museum to see the DPRK’s take on the Korean War and walk around the captured US military vehicles and equipment, including the USS Pueblo, the only US ship captured and on show in another country. The local guide will give us a talk about the war and we get the chance to ask many questions
Head to the Pyongyang metro, the deepest in the world because it also doubles up as bomb shelters. We ride for six stops, taking in three of the stations and their decorated murals, coming out at the Arch of Triumph, just as spectacular and even bigger than it’s French equivalent, which was built to celebrate victory over the Japanese.
Go to a real Korean department store and supermarket – the Kwangbok Department Store. Here is the only place we can change foreign currency into Korean won and spend it amongst the locals, and potentially take some out as a souvenir. Stock up on local snacks, toiletries, soju and cigarettes or buy some North Korean cosmetics – great for gifts from the DPRK or memorabilia for yourself.
Stop by a genuine DPRK microbrewery, the Mansugyo Beer Bar, and try out a pint in the company of the locals. After a drink we will head for dinner of Korean Duck BBQ (vegetarian options available).
Evening walk around the new Ryongmyong Street to see how modern Pyongyang is changing before we head back to the Yanggakdo. The hotel has many facilities – swimming pool, sauna, bowling alley, karaoke and various bars. You can even visit the tailor and get a Korean suit made!
31st March – DMZ and Kaesong Day Tour
AM: After breakfast we head out for the 2 and a half hour drive to Kaesong city and go for a walk around the old town. Then we visit the Koryo Museum – this was the oldest university in Korea and has now been converted into a museum in beautiful grounds.
Head down to the DMZ and Panmunjon village where we will see the treaty rooms where the armistice was signed and where we will be accompanied by a Korean People’s Army soldier who will be able to answer some questions about military affairs or Korean unification
PM: Lunch of traditional Korean pansangi at the Thongil Restaurant in Kaesong. This lunch consists of a series of bronze bowl dishes and if you’re willing to pay €5 you can sample another of Korea’s specialities – dog soup! Drive to Sariwon city where we can explore the local folk custom park and climb up to the mountain top pagoda with awesome views of the city. We will also head to a local roadside bar to try makkoli, a fermented Korean alcohol.
On the drive back to Pyongyang we will stop at the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification for photo opportunities. Back in Pyongyang we’ll go to a real North Korean pizzeria to see the local’s take on one of everyone’s favourite foods before we head back to the Yanggakdo Hotel
1st April – Pyongyang University and School Tour
See a real North Korean school- the KIm Jong Suk Middle School
Visit the Kim Jong Suk Middle School, named after Kim Jong Il’s mother, and participate in classes with the middle school students. Don’t worry if you don’t speak Korean, the students have great English and this is an excellent opportunity to learn about their life in the DPRK
Lunch at the Jangsusan Hotel and then we head to the Paeksonri Foodstuffs Factory before the drive back to Pyongyang.
Meet students at Kim Il-Sung University
PM: We head straight to Kim Il Sung University for an extended visit around the campus. We’ll observe classes and also talk with students to see how university life in the DPRK compares with your home country. For dinner we go to the National Restaurant where a traditional Korean meal is served and we can watch one of the famous performances by the waitresses.
Head back to the Yanggakdo Hotel where we will have a very unique talk by a Korean academic. Here we will be able to hear about university issues in the DPRK and also ask questions so we can find out more about academia in the DPRK. For those willing the talk will continue over a few beers in one of the hotel bars as we celebrate our last night in Pyongyang
2nd April – Departure
Catch the morning train from Pyongyang back to Beijing, arriving at 9am on the 3rd
