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    May Day CLASSIC tour


     4 nights in the DPRK
    Pyongyang Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Kaesong Sariwon Sinchon Pyongyang

    Experience the DPRK's May Day celebrations like a local! Join in the festivities with the opportunity not only to witness but also actively participate in traditional Korean games and sports at Taesongsan Park! Dance, sing, and immerse yourself in various street parties that are an integral part of this spring holiday.
    Explore the enigmatic North Korean capital, Pyongyang, and its most famous landmarks.
    Take a trip to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a heavily fortified strip of land that has separated North and South Korea for over 70 years. Discover Kaesong, the ancient capital of Korea, which miraculously survived the Korean War, unlike many other DPRK cities.
    On your way back from Kaesong, take a stroll on Folk Custom Street in the charming city of Sariwon, which serves as the gateway to southern Pyongyang. In the vicinity of Sariwon, delve into the tragic history of the Korean War at the seldom-visited Sinchon Museum of American Crimes.
    During this tour, you will also have the optional opportunity to embark on the PYONGYANG AIR CITY TOUR - a 40-minute flight aboard an Air Koryo Mi-17 helicopter. This exceptional experience provides a unique bird's-eye perspective of Pyongyang, granting you numerous outstanding photo opportunities. If you wish to include this option in your itinerary, kindly inform us when booking your tour.

    **TRAVEL TO THE DPRK VIA CHINA (Beijing, Dandong)
    A Chinese visa is required for most nationalities but VISA EXEMPTION can be granted for flight passengers transiting through Beijing on the way to/from Korea.
    **TRAVEL TO THE DPRK VIA RUSSIA (Vladivostok)
    A Russian visa is required for most nationalities, but thanks to the introduction of electronic visas, it is now very easy to apply for and obtain the Russian visa ENTIRELY ONLINE.

     

     

    ITINERARY

    Info
    The tour itinerary is a PRELIMINARY one. Korea Konsult reserves the right to change some parts of the itinerary below if needed. Eventual itinerary changes after the group arrival in the DPRK are beyond our control. Under no circumstances can Korea Konsult be held responsible for any itinerary changes.

    Apr 29 (Mon): Pyongyang

    DEPARTURES FROM VLADIVOSTOK, BEIJING AND DANDONG

      BY FLIGHT FROM VLADIVOSTOK:
      Departure from Vladivostok by Air Koryo flight JS 272 at 12.20 pm. Arrival in Pyongyang at 13.00 local time

      BY FLIGHT FROM BEIJING:
      Departure from Beijing by Air Koryo flight JS 152 at 12.00 pm from TERMINAL 2, Beijing Capital Airport. Arrival in Pyongyang at 15.00 local time

      BY TRAIN FROM BEIJING:
      April 28: departure by domestic train to Dandong city at 17.26 local time from Beijing Main Railway Station. Overnight on the train. April 29: arrival in Dandong at 07.35 am. Departure by international train to Pyongyang at 10.00 am. Arrival in Pyongyang at 18.45 local time

      BY TRAIN FROM DANDONG:
      Departure by international train to Pyongyang at 10.00 am. Arrival in Pyongyang at 18.45 local time

    • Tourists arriving by flight from Vladivostok at 1pm: Transfer to Pyongyang - the capital city of North Korea - lunch, walking tour on Ryomyong street - opened in April 2017 it is a new posh district of the capital featuring modern architecture
    • Arrival of tourists by flight from Beijing at 3pm
    • Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs' Cemetery - built on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the Korean War (1950/53) to commemorate memory of the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the motherland
    • Arrival in Pyongyang city center, walk in Taedong Park - a great place a few minutes away from Kim Il Sung Square to enjoy a peaceful park and a walk along the Taedong river
    • Kim Il Sung Square - Pyongyang’s central square where Korea’s massive military parades normally take place. Opened in August Juche 43 (1954) it is the 30th largest square in the world
    • Walk from Kim Il Sung Square to Pyongyang Grand Theatre
    • Arrivals of remaining tourists by train from Beijing and Dandong at 18.45
    • Dinner
    • Mirae (Future) Street - opened in 2015, this street features futuristic looking buildings. Korean government allocated apartments at this street to scientists and university teachers
    • NOTE FOR FLIGHT PASSENGERS TRAVELING FROM BEIJING! Due to peak season the Beijing flight departure time might be changed with very short notice. Therefore we strongly advise you to arrive to Beijing at least one day before your departure to Pyongyang

    OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo International Hotel ****
    Apr 30 (Tue): Pyongyang

    • Breakfast
    • Korean Film studio - DPRK's version of Hollywood. The leader Kim Il Sung liked to be here and give on spot guidance to movie directors. You will see European, Japanese and South Korean villages set for movie production
    • Grand People’s Study House - located at the Kim Il Sung Square it is one of the most famous buildings in Pyongyang. It was built in a traditional Korean style over a period of 21 months and opened in April of 1982 to honor Kim Il Sung’s 70th birthday. From the balcony you will enjoy a breathtaking view on Kim Il Sung Square, Taedong River and Juche Tower
    • Pyongyang Foreign Language Book Shop - the popular shop where you can buy propaganda posters, books and other souvenirs
    • Lunch
    • June 9th Middle School - New Zealand friendship school, established in Pyongyang on June 9, 1969. We will visit several class rooms and attend a nice music performance prepared by school students.
    • Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum - unveiled in 2013 by the leader Kim Jong Un after massive renovation. This museum explains the origins of the Korean War (1950-53) between South and North. Here you will see the only US ship captured by a foreign country - the spy ship USS Pueblo, as well as American weapons and shot down planes. The museum features amazing displays and excellent dioramas
    • Kwangbok Supermarket - located at one of the biggest city's street, it is the only place in Pyongyang where visitors can shop in local currency Won and exchange money according to the market exchange rate
    • Mansugyo Beer Bar - a new beer bar in Pyongyang where you can try all types of famous Taedonggang beer including black beer with chocolate and coffee flavour. Great opportunity to meet locals
    • Dinner
    • Kaeson Youth Funfair - one of the most popular amusement parks and nightspots in Pyongyang, it was recently renovated. This is a great place to observe local people and take pictures with them

    OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo International Hotel ****
    May 1 (Wed): Pyongyang

    MAY DAY IN PYONGYANG

    • Breakfast
    • Mansudae Fountain Park - composed of many beautifully designed in shape of dancing women fountains, this park is a place to enjoy jets of water reaching up to 80 meters
    • Mansudae Grand Monument - the huge bronze statues of the leaders standing in the center of the composition with two monuments titled "Anti-Japanese Revolutionary Struggle" and "Socialist Construction" on both sides. It was renovated in April 2012 following the passing away of the leader Kim Jong Il and a new statue of Kim Jong Il was added next to Kim Il Sung's
    • Chollima Monument - named after a mythical winged horse (Chollima in Korean literally means "thousand-mile horse"). In the period of reconstruction following the Korean War Cholima was the symbol inspiring workers to rebuild their nation at ‘Chollima Speed’
    • Enjoy May Day Celebration at Taesongsan Park - "taesong" in Korean means "great fort", it is an amusement park located about 12 kilometers from Pyongyang. You will have a great chance to mingle with Koreans here. Every year May Day festivities are held in this park - singing and dancing performances, folk games and many more
    • Lunch
    • Juche Tower - at 150 m it is the highest stone monument in the world. Take elevator to the top of the tower to enjoy the magnificent view of Pyongyang (optional, 5 Euro p/p)
    • Monument to Workers' Party of Korea - opened in Juche 84 (1995) the monument depicts the hammer, sickle and brush seized by a worker, a farmer and an intellectual. The round belt means the single-hearted unity of the leader, party and people
    • Pyongyang circus or revolutionary opera - enjoy real socialist art (tickets at extra charge)
    • Pyongyang Metro - one of the deepest subways in the world, it was designed to serve as a bomb shelter in case of war. The stations' interiors are stunning with superb lighting and mosaics. This is a great chance to interact with local people and explore several subway stations
    • Arch of Triumph - built in 1982 to commemorate President Kim Il Sung’s role in resisting Japanese rule, it is the second tallest triumphal arch in the world. Each of its 25,500 blocks of finely-dressed white granite represents a day of his life up to that point
    • Dinner at BBQ Duck Restaurant
    • Golden Lane Bowling Center - the huge entertainment center, a good chance to mix with locals and watch some stellar displays of local bowling talent and relax after long sightseeing day. There is also a shooting range next door

    OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo International Hotel ****
    May 2 (Thu): Pyongyang Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Kaesong Sariwon Sinchon Pyongyang

    • Breakfast
    • Drive to Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) - a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea, it is one of the most militarized area on our planet
    • Panmunjom - a village where in 1953 Armistice Talks were held between the DPR Korea and the United Nation Command. Visit the blue tent-like building located exactly on the borderline between Koreas. You can walk around the conference room and hop from South to North Korea while you are in this building. This is one of the few places where you can take pictures of the DPRK military
    • Transfer to Kaesong - capital of Korea up to the 15th century. Kaesong is the only city in Korea which has preserved its original historical make up as it hasn't been destroyed during the Korean war. It is a home for 12 historic sites from the UNESCO World Heritage List. Kaesong is considered to be home of Koryo insam (ginseng) don't miss the opportunity to buy some of the best insam in the Far East
    • Janamsan Park - located on a hill overlooking the city it is a great place to enjoy the beautiful panorama of the old Kaesong
    • Sonjuk Bridge - a small stone bridge dating back to 1216, UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • Walk on the old streets of Kaesong from Nam gate - southern gate of ancient Kaesong wall city to Minsok Hotel
    • Lunch at Tongil restaurant - "Tongil" means "Reunification" in Korean, it is one of the most famous restaurants in Kaesong where you will enjoy Traditional Royal Korean Lunch with 12 side-dishes served in brass bowls fit for the kings. For anyone wanting to supplement their lunch, there will be an opportunity to sample Korea’s famous ginseng chicken soup (at extra charge)
    • Drive to Sariwon - the southern gateway to Pyongyang. With population well above 300,000 Sariwon is one the most densely populated cities of the DPRK and it is famous for its Maccoli - Korean traditional rice wine
    • Sariwon Folk Customs Street - opened in 2007, it is aimed to show traditions and customs of Korean people
    • Drive to Sinchon - located about 30 km from Sariwon it is a quiet provincial city
    • Sinchon Museum of American Crimes - this museum charts the massacre of over 35,300 civilians during the Korean War
    • Drive back to Pyongyang
    • Monument to the Three Charters for National Reunification - the monument representing the desire of Korean people for reunification. It is shaped in form of two Korean women holding Korean peninsula over the Thongil highway from Pyongyang to DMZ
    • Dinner

    OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo International Hotel ****
    May 3 (Fri):

    DEPARTURES FROM PYONGYANG

      BY FLIGHT TO VLADIVOSTOK:
      Departure by Air Koryo flight JS 271 at 08.30 am from Pyongyang Sunan Airport. Arrival in Vladivostok at 11.00 am local time

      BY FLIGHT TO BEIJING:
      Departure by Air Koryo flight JS 151 at 09.00 am from Pyongyang Sunan Airport. Arrive in Beijing at 10.00 am local time

      BY TRAIN TO BEIJING:
      May 3: departure by international train to Dandong at 10.25 am local time from PyongyangPY Railway Station. Arrival in Dandong at 16.23 local time. Departure by domestic train to Beijing at 18.18. Overnight on the train. May 4: arrival in Beijing Main Railway Station at 08.40 am.

      BY TRAIN TO DANDONG:
      Departure by international train to Dandong at 10.25 am local time from Pyongyang Railway Station. Arrival in Dandong at 16.23 local time.

    Tour prices for different transport options:

    • train Dandong-Pyongyang-Dandong 828€
    • train Beijing-Pyongyang-Beijing 948€
    • flight Vladivostok-Pyongyang-Vladivostok 1098€
    • flight Vladivostok-Pyongyang, train Pyongyang-Beijing 1228€
    • flight Beijing-Pyongyang, train Pyongyang-Beijing or vv 1308€
    • flight Beijing-Pyongyang-Beijing 1358€

    INCLUDED:

    • Return transport from Vladivostok, Beijing, Dandong according to the chosen transport option above. Train: hard-sleeper class, train change in Dandong. Flight: Economy Class
    • Hotel accommodation in the DPRK (twin-shared room)
    • Three meals a day (including water and beer). Craft beer in beer bars is at your own expense
    • All transfers and transport during the tour
    • English-speaking guide (guides in other languages can be booked on request)
    • All entrance fees according to the itinerary

    NOT INCLUDED:

    • The DPRK visa fee (from 30 to 80 Euro depending on the place of visa issuance)
    • Transportation to/from your home to Beijing, Dandong or Vladivostok
    • Your stopover expenses in Beijing or Dandong
    • Optional single room supplement (40 Euro per night)
    • Your private expenses
    • Ticket fee for occasional events such as circus, funfairs, opera or Juche tower lift
    • Optional Pyongyang air tour (180 Euro p/p, min 8 persons)
    • Tips for Korean guides and driver (10-15 Euros per day in total)

    GOT QUESTIONS?

    Send us a message: postmaster@koreakonsult.com
    Call us: +46(0)73981 0372
    +46(0)70116 5525
     
     
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