The Absolute DPRK – Kim Il Sung Birthday Special – Shanghai Departure – 6.5 Nights

SUNDAY NIGHT – DEPART FOR PYONGYANG

At 8:00pm (20:00) on Sunday, meet the group at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport to check in for our 10:35pm departure to Pyongyang. Approximate arrival into Pyongyang is at 01:55am (Monday).

Our Korean tour guides will greet us on arrival at the airport, and we’ll drive to downtown Pyongyang to check in at the prestigious Koryo Hotel.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel

DAY 1 – KAESONG & THE DMZ

After a rest and freshening up, we’ll embark on a morning drive through the North Korean countryside to the historic city of Kaesong.

Head to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the 4km-wide buffer zone spanning the entire width of the Korean peninsula. On arrival, hear from our military guides a perspective of the Korean War that often gets discredited or unheard. Explore Panmunjom, where you can shake hands at the exact place that the Armistice Agreement was signed between UN forces and the DPRK, and wave hello to the South at the blue houses in the Joint Security Area.

Afterwards, we’ll head to the Koryo History Museum, a UNESCO site, to learn about the Koryo Dynasty (where the name Korea originates). You’ll also have a chance to pick from the most varied range of postcards in the country at the Koryo Stamp Shop.

For lunch we will have pansanggi, a historic Kaesong cuisine traditionally served for royalty in a set of brass bowls.

On arrival back to Pyongyang, visit Kim Il Sung Square, the famous location of North Korea’s military parades which are broadcast internationally. Walk through the city to the Foreign Languages Bookshop, the best chance in the DPRK to pick up souvenirs such as books, stamps, DVD/CDs and posters.

After dinner, we’ll take an optional visit to the Kaeson Youth Amusement Park, particularly popular of an evening during holidays. For those that wish to rest instead, they are welcome to relax at the hotel.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 2 – DAY OF THE SUN (KIM IL SUNG’S BIRTHDAY!)

We’ll begin the day with a special holiday visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the grand mausoleum where the late leaders lie in state inside glass sarcophagi (formal dress required).

Then visit the Mansudae Grand Monument, an important site famous for its large, bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il. It is customary to bow and lay flowers here.

Take a stroll through Moran Hill, a central park buzzing with festivities as locals celebrate the Day of the Sun over a picnic with music and dancing, a great opportunity to join the fun!

Learn about North Korea’s national ideology, the Juche philosophy, on a visit to the iconic Tower of Juche Idea. We’ll take the lift 150-meters to the top for the best views in Pyongyang city!

Look through the impressive exhibits at the Kimilsungia Flower Festival, a multi-floor display of the flowers named after each of the late leaders. This festival is only open twice a year, during February and April as part of birthday festivities of the Great Leaders.

As part of today’s festivities, we’ll attend an unforgettable student Mass Dance event held in Pyongyang. Join in the dancing celebration for yourself, the sea of colour makes for magnificent photos!

Cap off the festivities with a chance to taste local Korean draft beers at the Taedonggang Bar Brewery No. 3.

A fireworks display is often held in celebration of the Day of the Sun. If this is scheduled, we’ll head down to Kim Il Sung Square for the best views!

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 3 – PYONGYANG & MT. MYOHYANG

Begin the day with a visit to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, an elaborate museum depicting the Korean people’s fight against foreign invaders. We’ll have a guided tour of the war remnants, exhibits, and dioramas and learn about the Korean war from the North Korean perspective. We’ll also board the USS Pueblo, the “American Spy Ship” captured in 1968.

Visit the Grand People’s Study House, North Korea’s national library and the heart of study on the revolutionary Juche ideology. Check out the local intranet, visit the music appreciation room and flick through a handful of the up-to 30 million books said to be available here.

After lunch, visit the Mangyongdae Native House, a modest straw-thatched house in a serene park setting which is the birthplace of President Kim Il Sung.

Pick up some supplies at the Kwangbok Department Store, a five-story department complex filled with local and imported products. It’s one of only two places in Pyongyang where tourists can exchange and use the local North Korean Won.

Head deep underground to ride on the Pyongyang Metro, the deepest metro in the world and filled with mosaics, monuments, and plaques commemorating the DPRK’s revolutionary history.

We’ll stop at Kaeson (Triumph) Station to visit the Arch of Triumph, the world’s largest triumphal arch. From the top, we will get an incredible panorama view of Pyongyang city!

Begin our road-trip to the picturesque Mt. Myohyang (Myohyangsan). This is a 2.5 hour drive filled with countryside scenery providing a great window into rural North Korean life.

Check in to the Hyangsan Hotel, the finest hotel in North Korea, with its striking pyramid-shaped building nestled within the mountains. The facilities here are world-class with amenities including swimming pool, spa and massage facilities, barber and a bar with pool tables and ping pong!

Overnight at the Hyangsan Hotel

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 4 – MT. MYOHYANG

Begin the day with a visit to the International Friendship Exhibition, a massive complex housing the gifts given to the North Korean leadership by foreign dignitaries. Gifts are displayed in over 150 rooms; everything from gem-encrusted swords to tea sets, bullet-proof vehicles and basketballs signed by NBA stars Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman.

We’ll then visit the ancient Pohyon Buddhist Temple founded under the Koryo Dynasty and which remains active with practicing Korean Buddhist monks today.

After lunch, we’ll join the scenery as we hike the Manphok Valley trail, an area popular with picnicking locals and filled with dense forest, waterfalls and temples with great views. Bring comfortable shoes. All hiking is optional and at your own pace. Manphok Valley is a return route, there’s no obligation to reach the peak. Views are beautiful throughout!

On return to Pyongyang, dinner will be aboard the Taedonggang Dining Boat! Enjoy views of Pyongyang’s most iconic landmarks and an upbeat performance as we cruise the river Taedong.

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 5 – NAMPO

After breakfast, burn some energy and enjoy the fresh air with a morning bicycle ride through the capital! This will take us down the futuristic Mirae Scientists Street and Changjon Street and along the Taedong River promenade right through Kim Il Sung Square. The cycling is route is flat, at a leisurely pace and is optional.

We’ll then begin our drive the Youth Hero Highway to the west coast port city of Nampo. Nampo is best known for its trade and industry and you’ll get a feel for rural coastal life here.

Drop into the Chongsanri Cooperative Farm, a model collective farm catering to the agriculture needs of surrounding communities where we will meet a local farming family and see inside their home.

We’ll have lunch in Nampo, and you’ll be able to taste the local specialty of Grey Mullet Soup if you wish.

Then it’s onward to the jewel of Nampo, the West Sea Barrage, a massive dam and tidal wall built in five years across an 8-kilometer section of the rough sea. This is a major achievement well known to all North Koreans and a common backdrop in official state media.

We’ll visit the Kangso Mineral Water Factory, a famous name within North Korea, to get a glimpse into the workings of the local industry.

On return to Pyongyang, Line up your sights and show off your skills at the Meari Shooting Range, where you can fire a pistol, rifle or try your hand at archery.

We’ll then stop in for a well-earned drink at the Sunrise Coffeeshop, a favourite of ours with a wide range of drinks including smoothies and milkshakes, or ice creams!

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 6 – WONSAN

This morning, we’ll depart for the east coast port city of Wonsan. The countryside scenery becomes increasingly mountainous on the east, and we’ll pass through no less than 22 tunnels on our journey! There will be a rest stop at the Sinpyong Tea House for coffee or tea in the fresh mountain air.

After arriving into Wonsan city, we’ll walk between dozens of fishermen to the Jangdok Islet where you can buy seafood that was caught just seconds ago by local vendors. The view back of the Wonsan city skyline is fantastic here. Lunch will be at a local seafood restaurant.

Walk in the sea breeze along the Wonsan city docks to Wonsan Square, the heart of the city with grand bronze monuments to the Great Leaders. We’ll then visit the Wonsan Revolutionary Site, a railway museum with historic relevance to Kim Il Sung’s victory over Japanese colonial rule.

Drive seafront to Wonsan’s yellow sandy beaches to the Songdowon International Children’s Camp, a typical socialist-style summer camp where we’ll have a guided tour of the facilities.

We’ll then drive to our overnight accommodation, the extravagant Masikryong Hotel inside the Masikryong Ski Resort complex, built at the order of Marshal Kim Jong Un in 2013.

Overnight at the Masikryong Hotel

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 7 – MASIKRYONG AND RETURN TO PYONGYANG

Wake in the mountains and watch the sunrise from your private balcony before enjoying a hearty breakfast made with locally sourced ingredients. Before we depart, we will take the Masikryong ski lift or cableway to the near 1400m peak for an incredible morning view over the untouched mountain ranges. The ski lift or cableway is optional and there is a $15 USD fee to be paid on the spot.

We will then drive to the stunning Ulim Waterfall discovered relatively recently by the Korean People’s Army, a waterfall you’ll hear well before you see! If it’s a nice day we will enjoy a picnic lunch here. Feel free to throw our frisbees around, it’s a great way to interact with the locals.

After a stop for tea or coffee, we’ll continue to the Tomb of King Tongmyong, a UNESCO site with unique wall paintings showcasing the Buddhist influence of this time.

On return to Pyongyang, we’ll visit the Koryo Stamp Museum, a great place not only for stamps but any last-minute souvenirs.

We’ll then head to the airport for our evening flight back to Shanghai.

Approximate time of departure is 7:55pm (19:55) from Pyongyang with arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 9:35pm. Please reserve connecting flights departing after 01:30am local time (+1 day), to allow sufficient time for immigration/customs clearance, baggage claim and re-check-in. Timings to be confirmed.

(Meals: B, L, Dinner on flight)

This itinerary is subject to change at any time.