Kim Il Sung Birthday Long Tour Itinerary 2017
Apr 7 – 17 (18 if taking the train out)
10 nights + 1 on train (flight – train)
For the truly adventurous traveller, this 10-night tour takes you over to the stunning east coast of DPRK where you’ll visit the port city of Wonsan and have a chance to hike in the mountains of the beautiful but rarely visited Kumgangsan area. You’ll also go south to Kaesong, down to the DMZ, where North and South Korea continue their face-off. This tour also visits the lively town of Pyongsong where you can jump in on an English Language class at Kim Jong Suk Middle School and see a performance by talented young pupils at Pyongsong Conservatory of Performing Arts. On April 15th is one of the biggest holidays in the DPRK calendar – the 106th birthday of President Kim Il Sung. We’ll make sure that we’re in Pyongyang this day, soaking up the atmosphere and joining in the birthday celebrations with the locals!
Please note that the itinerary may differ slightly to what is below but your tour leader will do their best to ensure that as much is covered as possible and will also add in extras when there is time such as a visit to a local bar or a funfair. We visit the DPRK regularly and know all the best places to go to make your trip even more unique. We will make the most of your time in the DPRK to guarantee the experience of a lifetime.
Unless otherwise stated, you will be staying at the Yanggakdo Hotel, one of the deluxe standard hotels in Pyongyang.
Detailed itinerary:
Friday 6th April – MANDATORY PRE-TOUR BRIEFING
>> Pre-Tour briefing at our office in Beijing. You can attend a briefing at 2pm, 4pm, or 6pm
Saturday 7th April – ARRIVAL DAY
>> Departure Beijing – Pyongyang (time tbc)
>>Option to attend private film screening of ‘Comrade Kim Goes Flying’ at the International House of Cinema (RMB 100 entry)
Sunday 8th April – PYONGYANG MARATHON
>> Pyongyang Marathon!
>> Go back to hotel for showers/rest/lunch
>> City walk
>> Beer bar
Monday 9th April – PYONGYANG CITY TOUR
>> Mangyongdae Native House (birthplace of Kim Il Sung)
>> Juche Tower
>> Party Foundation Monument
>> Kim Il Sung Square
>> Foreign Language Bookshop
>> Pyongyang Metro (6 stops)
>> Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum
>> Captured spy ship USS Pueblo
>> Drive to Kaesong (2.5 hrs)
>> Check into Janamsan Hotel, Kaesong
Tuesday 10th April – KAESONG & THE DMZ
>> Tour of Panmunjom/DMZ area
>> Kaesong Koryo Museum
>> Kaesong stamp shop
>> Traditional lunch in Kaesong with dog meat soup option (5 EUR)
>> Drive back to Pyongyang
>> Pyongyang Golden Lane Bowling Alley
Wednesday 11th April – WONSAN & THE EAST COAST
>> Drive to Wonsan, on the east coast of Korea
>> Ulim Waterfalls (pack your swimmers!)
>> Picnic lunch at the waterfalls
>> Wonsan Agricultural University
>> Songdowon Schoolchildren’s Camp
>> Wonsan Art Gallery
>> Walk along Wonsan Pier before dinner in local fish restaurant
>> Overnight in Dongmyong Hotel, Wonsan
Thursday 12th April – HIKING IN KUMGANG
>> Drive down the east coast to Kumgangsan area
>> Short hike around Samil Lagoon
>> Spend the afternoon hiking in the beautiful Kumgang Mountains
>> Overnight in Kumgangsan Hotel, Mt Kumgang
Friday 13th April – BACK TO PYONGYANG
>> Drive back to Pyongyang
>> Take the scenic route up the east coast
>> Stop off at some local beaches on the way
Saturday 14th April – BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!
>> Grand People's Study House (the enormous national Library and study centre in the heart of Pyongyang)
>> Kwangbok Supermarket
>> City Tram ride
>> Arch of Triumph
>> Future Street
>> Pyongyang Circus Performance or Symphony Orchestra (optional)
>> Kaeson Youth Funfair ! (small cost to enjoy the rides)
Sunday 15th April – CITY TOUR
>> Kumsusan Memorial Palace (mausoleum of the leaders)
>> Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery
>> Mansudae Fountain Park
>> Mansudae Grand Monument
>> Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia Flower Exhibition
>> Walk through Moranbong Park
>> Mass dance celebrating the birthday of President Kim Il Sung
>> Drive to Pyongsong, about 45 minutes to 1 hour north of Pyongyang
Overnight: Jangsusan Hotel, Pyongsong - The only hotel in Pyongsong open for tourists, an excellent bar with one of the best bartenders in the DPRK makes this hotel one of the most fun in the whole country ! Basic facilities with fairly reliable electricity and hot water. Billiards, karaoke, haircut, and outdoor eateries in summer.
Monday 16th April – PYONGSONG
>> Drive to town of Pyongsong (40 mins drive north of Pyongyang)>> Pyongsong Central Square and statues
>> Visit to Kim Jong Suk Middle School
>> Paeksong Revolutionary Site
>> Pyongsong Conservatory of Performing Arts (inc. performance)
>> Drive back to Pyongyang
>> Shooting Range (5 USD for 20 bullets if you want to have a go!)
Tuesday 17th April – DEPARTURE DAY
>> The train departs at 10:40am and arrives in Beijing at approximately 08:30am on Wednesday April 18
>> Flight Pyongyang – Beijing (time tbc) is available upon request
>> Please let us know when booking if you would prefer the flight back to Beijing (surcharge 50 EUR).
Register here !
Please contact us for more details.
For the cost of this tour, please click here.
Apr 7 – 17 (18 if taking the train out)
10 nights + 1 on train (flight – train)
For the truly adventurous traveller, this 10-night tour takes you over to the stunning east coast of DPRK where you’ll visit the port city of Wonsan and have a chance to hike in the mountains of the beautiful but rarely visited Kumgangsan area. You’ll also go south to Kaesong, down to the DMZ, where North and South Korea continue their face-off. This tour also visits the lively town of Pyongsong where you can jump in on an English Language class at Kim Jong Suk Middle School and see a performance by talented young pupils at Pyongsong Conservatory of Performing Arts. On April 15th is one of the biggest holidays in the DPRK calendar – the 106th birthday of President Kim Il Sung. We’ll make sure that we’re in Pyongyang this day, soaking up the atmosphere and joining in the birthday celebrations with the locals!
Please note that the itinerary may differ slightly to what is below but your tour leader will do their best to ensure that as much is covered as possible and will also add in extras when there is time such as a visit to a local bar or a funfair. We visit the DPRK regularly and know all the best places to go to make your trip even more unique. We will make the most of your time in the DPRK to guarantee the experience of a lifetime.
Unless otherwise stated, you will be staying at the Yanggakdo Hotel, one of the deluxe standard hotels in Pyongyang.
Detailed itinerary:
Friday 6th April – MANDATORY PRE-TOUR BRIEFING
>> Pre-Tour briefing at our office in Beijing. You can attend a briefing at 2pm, 4pm, or 6pm
Saturday 7th April – ARRIVAL DAY
>> Departure Beijing – Pyongyang (time tbc)
>>Option to attend private film screening of ‘Comrade Kim Goes Flying’ at the International House of Cinema (RMB 100 entry)
Sunday 8th April – PYONGYANG MARATHON
>> Pyongyang Marathon!
>> Go back to hotel for showers/rest/lunch
>> City walk
>> Beer bar
Monday 9th April – PYONGYANG CITY TOUR
>> Mangyongdae Native House (birthplace of Kim Il Sung)
>> Juche Tower
>> Party Foundation Monument
>> Kim Il Sung Square
>> Foreign Language Bookshop
>> Pyongyang Metro (6 stops)
>> Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum
>> Captured spy ship USS Pueblo
>> Drive to Kaesong (2.5 hrs)
>> Check into Janamsan Hotel, Kaesong
Tuesday 10th April – KAESONG & THE DMZ
>> Tour of Panmunjom/DMZ area
>> Kaesong Koryo Museum
>> Kaesong stamp shop
>> Traditional lunch in Kaesong with dog meat soup option (5 EUR)
>> Drive back to Pyongyang
>> Pyongyang Golden Lane Bowling Alley
Wednesday 11th April – WONSAN & THE EAST COAST
>> Drive to Wonsan, on the east coast of Korea
>> Ulim Waterfalls (pack your swimmers!)
>> Picnic lunch at the waterfalls
>> Wonsan Agricultural University
>> Songdowon Schoolchildren’s Camp
>> Wonsan Art Gallery
>> Walk along Wonsan Pier before dinner in local fish restaurant
>> Overnight in Dongmyong Hotel, Wonsan
Thursday 12th April – HIKING IN KUMGANG
>> Drive down the east coast to Kumgangsan area
>> Short hike around Samil Lagoon
>> Spend the afternoon hiking in the beautiful Kumgang Mountains
>> Overnight in Kumgangsan Hotel, Mt Kumgang
Friday 13th April – BACK TO PYONGYANG
>> Drive back to Pyongyang
>> Take the scenic route up the east coast
>> Stop off at some local beaches on the way
Saturday 14th April – BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!
>> Grand People's Study House (the enormous national Library and study centre in the heart of Pyongyang)
>> Kwangbok Supermarket
>> City Tram ride
>> Arch of Triumph
>> Future Street
>> Pyongyang Circus Performance or Symphony Orchestra (optional)
>> Kaeson Youth Funfair ! (small cost to enjoy the rides)
Sunday 15th April – CITY TOUR
>> Kumsusan Memorial Palace (mausoleum of the leaders)
>> Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery
>> Mansudae Fountain Park
>> Mansudae Grand Monument
>> Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia Flower Exhibition
>> Walk through Moranbong Park
>> Mass dance celebrating the birthday of President Kim Il Sung
>> Drive to Pyongsong, about 45 minutes to 1 hour north of Pyongyang
Overnight: Jangsusan Hotel, Pyongsong - The only hotel in Pyongsong open for tourists, an excellent bar with one of the best bartenders in the DPRK makes this hotel one of the most fun in the whole country ! Basic facilities with fairly reliable electricity and hot water. Billiards, karaoke, haircut, and outdoor eateries in summer.
Monday 16th April – PYONGSONG
>> Drive to town of Pyongsong (40 mins drive north of Pyongyang)>> Pyongsong Central Square and statues
>> Visit to Kim Jong Suk Middle School
>> Paeksong Revolutionary Site
>> Pyongsong Conservatory of Performing Arts (inc. performance)
>> Drive back to Pyongyang
>> Shooting Range (5 USD for 20 bullets if you want to have a go!)
Tuesday 17th April – DEPARTURE DAY
>> The train departs at 10:40am and arrives in Beijing at approximately 08:30am on Wednesday April 18
>> Flight Pyongyang – Beijing (time tbc) is available upon request
>> Please let us know when booking if you would prefer the flight back to Beijing (surcharge 50 EUR).
Register here !
Please contact us for more details.
For the cost of this tour, please click here.