The DPRK Weekender – Victory Day Special – Shanghai Departure – 2.5 Nights

THURSDAY NIGHT – DEPART FOR PYONGYANG

Meet us at 10:00pm: Head to the Air Koryo counter at the Pudong International Airport to check in for 12:30am Friday departure to Pyongyang. Approximate arrival into Pyongyang is at 4:00am. Our Korean guides greet you at the airport. We’ll then check in at the Koryo Hotel.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel.

(Meals: L, D)

DAY 1 – Kaesong & the DMZ

After a rest and freshening up, take morning drive through the countryside to the historic city of Kaesong. We will head for the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where we’ll hear from our guides a perspective of the Korean War that often gets discredited or unheard. At the DMZ, explore Panmunjom, 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.

Afterward, we will 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, enjoy Pansanggi, a historic Kaesong cuisine traditionally served for royalty.

Stop at the original Sonjuk Bridge, a UNESCO site, before heading back to Pyongyang where we’ll 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!

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 2 – Pyongyang & Nampo

After breakfast, visit the newly renovated 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 Pyongyang’s central square, Kim Il Sung Square, home to many of North Korea’s military parades broad internationally. We’ll 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 lunch, 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.

Afterwards, drop into the Kangso Mineral Water Factory, a famous name within North Korea, to get a glimpse into the workings of the local industry.

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-kilometre section of the rough sea. This is a major achievement well known to all North Koreans and a common backdrop in official state media.

On return to Pyongyang, get a chance to taste local Korean draft beers at the Taedonggang Bar Brewery No. 3.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel.

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 3 – VICTORY DAY!

We will start the morning off with a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the grand mausoleum where the late leaders lie in state inside glass sarcophagi (closed in May and June; formal dress required).

We will head over to 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.

After lunch, take a stroll through Moran Hill, a central park buzzing with festivities as locals celebrate Victory Day 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!

Then visit the Party Foundation Monument, built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Workers’ Party of Korea, recognizable by the communist hammer and sickle but with an added North Korean twist.

Head deep underground to take a 5-stop ride on the Pyongyang Metro, the deepest metro in the world and filled with mosaics, monuments, and plaques commemorating North Korea’s revolutionary history.

Stop at the Arch of Triumph, the world’s largest triumphal arch. From the top, we will get a panorama view of Pyongyang city!

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!

Grab your luggage and head to the airport for an evening flight back to Shanghai. Approximate time of departure is 10:30pm from Pyongyang with arrival at Pudong at 11:30pm.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel.

(Meals: B, L)

RETURN TO SHANGHAI PUDONG AT 2230 ON SUNDAY NIGHT

This itinerary is subject to change at any time.