The Pyongyang Marathon Weekender – Shanghai Departure – 2.5 Nights

THURSDAY NIGHT (APRIL 10)

At 08:00pm (20:00) on April 8, meet the group at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport to check in for our 10:35am departure to Pyongyang. Approximate arrival into Pyongyang is at 01:55am (Friday, April 9) Our Korean tour guides will greet us on arrival at the airport. On arrival we will check in at the prestigious Koryo Hotel.

(Meals: Dinner on flight)

DAY 1 (APRIL 11) – KAESONG & THE DMZ

Take a morning drive through the countryside to the historic city of Kaesong. We will head for the DMZ where we’ll hear from our military 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. 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.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel.

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 2 – PYONGYANG CITY TOUR

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!

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, 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

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!

We’ll head to the International Football School to tour the facilities and enjoy a casual kick around with the students. On the way, we’ll have a photo stop at the largest sporting stadium in the world (by capacity), the May Day Stadium!

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

We’ll then take a driving tour to familiarize you with the entire Pyongyang Marathon route. Dinner will be at the hotel where we will hand out bibs and timing chips for the Pyongyang Marathon.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel.

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 3 – THE PYONGYANG MARATHON!

Wake up bright and early (approximately 7am) to get ready for the PYONGYANG MARATHON! This is the sixth year in all of history that foreign amateur runners will be allowed to run in the Pyongyang Marathon. Stretch out, lace up and pound that Pyongyang pavement!

The race starts at approximately 9am and is over no later than 1pm. There is a pre-race ceremony starting at 8am and a post-race award ceremony starting at 1pm. Spectators are welcome to join this tour, as there will be plenty to see at the Kim Il Sung Stadium includng a local soccer/football match and the runners returning to the stadium in their last lap of the race.

After the race we will cool down at the hotel with time to shower and rest up before we have lunch.

For the rest of the day, expect easy sightseeing. We’ll first visit the Mansudae Fountain Park, a serene meeting spot for students in their free time and an often used backdrop for wedding photos. 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.

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.

Cap off a race well run with a chance to taste local Korean draft beers at the Taedonggang Bar Brewery No. 3!

During dinner, we’ll have a small presentation to hand out your official marathon certificates! Dinner will be at a local Korean hotpot (jongol) restaurant, a favorite among locals.

After dinner, grab your luggage and head to the airport for an evening flight back to Shanghai. Approximate time of departure is 7:55pm 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, D)

This itinerary is subject to change at any time.