2020 Chairman Kim Jong Il Birthday Tour. The application deadline for this tour is
January 8 2020. If interested in extending your tour please send us an
e-mail stating how long you would like to extend for and if there are
any specific places you would like to visit.
Very important date in the DPRK calendar. Celebrations expected.
Bundle up and explore North Korea with us!
Day 1 - 13 February (Thursday)
Depart from Beijing at 14.00 flight JS 252 Terminal 2, Beijing
Capital Airport
Arrive in Pyongyang at 17.00 (Pyongyang time)
PM
Night drive around Pyongyang
Arch of Triumph
- walk around the area. See the giant mural showing the image of
President Kim Il Sung upon his return to Korea after Korea's liberation
from Japan in 1945
Hotel check-in: Yanggakdo Hotel
Welcome Dinner: KITC Number 1
Restaurant, Pyongyang
Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Please check our Youtube video below. It was shot during our Kim Jong Il
Birthday Tour in 2016 and will give you a fair idea of what to expect
on this tour. We recommend you to watch in HD!
Day 2 - 14 February (Friday)
AM
Breakfast: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Depart
to Kaesong (Panmunjom,
the DMZ) - this city was not destroyed during the Korean War and we can
therefore see some traditional Korean architecture. We will then visit
the DMZ, the last area where the consequences of the Cold War are still
very alive.
Preparations in Kaesong for 16 February
38th Parallel (DMZ) - chance to enter the famous blue negotiation rooms where talks between North & South Korea have taken place. If these are closed we will have a close-up look.
PM
Lunch
at Tongil Restaurant (Kaesong)
- dishes are served in small covered golden plated bowls, with no less
than 12 small dishes per person. The number of dishes served symbolised
the rank of the person eating and 12 is the highest ranking of all!
KTG Traveller takes a picture of the Old Town of Kaesong
Koryo
Museum (Kaesong) - the first university in the Korean Peninsula,
it dates from the 900s and is located in extremely peaceful
surroundings
Wedding Celebration in the Koryo Museum, Kaesong
Stamp
shop
- just outside of the Koryo Hotel, we usually make a quick stop here. A
wide variety of stamps, postcards, artwork, etc can be purchased.
Drive
to Sariwon City - capital of North Hwanghae Province, this
lively city is one of the largest in North Korea.
Folk
Street & Ancient Model Pavilions -
we will see how Koreans lived in ancient times and see some model
pavilions showing this. Walking around this street give us the chance to check a local
Sul-Jib (alcohol house) and try some delicious Makoli (Korean rice wine
with very low levels of alcohol) if available. The walk around here is always
interesting. There are usually street games and activities too where we
can of course join in!
Walk up Mt. Kyongnam - the walk itself is only 5 to 10 minutes but we will have views of the whole city and of the surrounding region.
Drive back to Pyongyang
Dinner: Local restaurant, Pyongyang
Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Day 3 - 15 February (Saturday)
Breakfast: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
AM
Breakfast: Yanggakdo Hotel
Drive to Mt. Myohyang in
the northern interior of DPRK
International
Friendship Exhibition Centre - showing thousands of presents
given to the founder of the country President Kim Il Sung, his son
General Kim Jong Il and his wife Kim Jong Suk. There is now too a
section for the Leader Kim Jong Un. See what people and organisations
from your country have sent! These buildings actually have no windows
and are partly built inside the mountains!
Pohyon
Temple - ancient Buddhist temple. This used to be one of the
centres of buddhism in the region. Chance to meet a local monk.
PM
Lunch
at the Chongchon Hotel, Mt. Myohyang - quiet and relaxing area
Drive back to Pyongyang
Victorious
Fatherland Liberation Museum enormous
museum holding original vehicles used in the Korean War and explaining
the DPRK version of the war. This was restored recently. The theme of
the Korean War is very important in DPRK.
USS
Pueblo - US spyship captured in 1968 by the DPRK
Dinner: Local restaurant, Pyongyang
Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Day 4 - 16 February (Sunday) - National Holiday - Chairman Kim Jong Il's 77th
Birthday
AM
Breakfast: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Kumsusan
Memorial Palace - where the leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il
lie in state, one of the most sacred places in the DPRK
The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is the most sacred place in DPRK
Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery - views of the whole of Pyongyang are
available atop the hill where this cemetery is located
PM
Fountain
Park - walk by the giant mosaic images of the leaders
Mansudae
Grand Monuments - Giant bronze statues of the leaders Kim Il
Sung and Kim Jong Il. There will be many locals here today
Kim Il
Sung Square
- This is the square where military parades and rallies take place (the
ones we usually see on TV when there are news regarding North Korea)
DPRK foreign Language Bookstore - chance to read & purchase
DPRK publications in English and in other languages
Kimjongilia
Flower Exhibition
- thousands of locals go to see flowers given to Kim Jong Il on
occasion of his birthday. There is usually local media interviewing
Koreans
People gathering at the
Kimjongilia Flower Exhibition - this place is literally crowded with
locals the days surrounding 16th February
Juche
Tower - chance to go up the 150 metre tower (170 metres
including the torch) that offers a panoramic view of Pyongyang
Monuments
to the Workers' Party - monument consisting of a hammer, sickle
and brush that rise 50 metres in the sky
Expected
Mass Dances - thousands of Korean students dance in a
synchronised way and we will have the opportunity to join in!
There will likely be
optional extra activities available such as Music Concerts, the Acrobatic Circus or Synchronised Swimming shows. These will be offered on the
spot once in the DPRK
Local
beer bar - chance to have a few drinks before dinner
Farewell Dinner: Pyongyang Number 1 Duck BBQ Restaurant
Expected
Fireworks Display after dinner
Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Day 5 - 17 February (Monday)
AM
Breakfast: Yanggakdo Hotel
10.25 am train to Beijing - if interested in flying back
please contact us
PM
Stopover at Sinuiju train station bordering China - customs
procedures
will
be carried out on the train
