Pyongyang Marathon Tour 2016
Kim Il Sung Birthday Tour 2015. The application deadline for this tour is March 11th 2015.
The Day of the Sun
is one of the most important days in the DPRK
calendar and being in
Pyongyang for the occasion of the birthday
of the founder of the DPRK
will allow you to join in the celebrations.
This trip is an extremely
well-encompassed journey where we will see no
less than 5 areas of the DPRK and
experience a wide variety of
adventures including The
Pyongyang Marathon, celebrations
on one of the most important days in the DPRK Calendar;
April 15th, and see as many aspects
of the country as possible
in such a time frame.
us to come up with enriching itineraries that we have come
to improve over the years based on our travellers' feedback
after their trips.
If not a US citizen, you can also join this tour by train.
Please contact us if you are interested in this option.
Day 1 - April 11 (Saturday)
- Depart from Beijing at 13.05 flight JS 152 Terminal 2, Beijing Capital Airport
- Arrive in Pyongyang at 16.00 (Pyongyang time)
PM
- Arch of Triumph - marking the period spent by President Kim Il Sung fighting the Japanese and his return in 1945 to Korea, this collosal monument is larger than its Parisian counterpart.
- Brief
walk around the area - we will see the enormous mural showing an
image of President Kim Il Sung's speech upon returning to Korea after
the liberation of the country in 1945. The Kim Il Sung Stadium is
located close by too, though we will see more of this on Sunday
- Hotel check-in: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
- Welcome Dinner: KITC Restaurant, Pyongyang
Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Day 2 - April 12 (Sunday)
AM
- Breakfast: Yanggakdo Hotel
- Pyongyang Marathon - you will be able to participate in the full marathon, half marathon or 10 km marathon. The atmosphere will be amazing here and running into Kim Il Sung Stadium full of Koreans cheering is an experience hard to explain in writing, so you will have to experience this yourself if you would like a more detailed description of such a feeling!
- For those not interested in pariticipating in the running we will
watch a football game in the stadium
PM
Lunch: City restaurant, Pyongyang- Drive to Pyongsong - this mining city was only opened to tourists in 2013 (before then we had used it only to accommodate travellers overnight in the hotel but it was not possible to visit sites in the city)
- Paeksongri Revolutionary Site - this is where Kim Il Sung University was moved to during the Korean War
- Paeksong Food Factory or Taedonggang Textile Factory - rare chance to see a DPRK factory
- Central Square - see the Korean slogan meaning "One United Heart" and the bronze statue of a young President Kim Il Sung
- Dinner: Jangsusan Hotel, Pyongsong
Overnight: Jangsusan Hotel, Pyongsong
Day 3 - April 13 (Monday)
AM
- Breakfast: Jangsusan Hotel, Pyongsong
- Pyongsong Number 1 High School, Kim Jong Suk High school - we will be shown around the school by its headmaster and will be able to join a lesson where you can let the students practice their English with you if you wish!
- Drive to Mt. Myohyang - we head further north to this truly beautiful part of the DPRK
- International
Friendship Exhibition Centre - showing thousands of gifts given
to the
leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and Comrade Kim Jong Suk (wife of
President Kim Il Sung and mother of General Kim Jong Il). There is now
a section too for the Leader Kim Jong Eun
PM
- Lunch: Chongchon Hotel, Mount Myohyang
- Pohyon Buddhist Temple - first built in 1042, it used to be considered the capital of Buddhism in this part of Korea. Buddhism was strongest in Korea in the Koryo Dynasty (935 - 1392)
- Drive back to Pyongyang
- Korean War Museum - this War Museum was rebuilt only last year and is now an impressive complex, unique in its kind. It explains the DPRK view of the Korean War. An extensive collection of vehicles and weapons can be seen. We will be guided around by a very friendly local guide.
- USS Pueblo - American Spyship captured in 1968. The crew stayed in the DPRK for 11 months. This is the only US vessel in posession of another country
- Grand People's Study House - enormous study centre with great views of Kim Il Sung Square
- Dinner: local restaurant, Pyongyang
Day 4 - April 14 (Tuesday)
AM
- Breakfast: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
- Depart to Kaesong (Panmunjom, the DMZ) - we leave the capital of North Korea early in the morning for this 2.5 hour drive. While approach Kaesong we will be able to see the Kaesong Industrial Complex on the left hand side of our coach and the train station with the railway connecting North and South Korea which symbolises hope of reunification.
- 38th Parallel (DMZ) - chance to enter the famous blue negotiation rooms where talks between North & South Korea have taken place. A KPA Officer will join us on our coach and we will be guided around Panmunjom. The officer with us tends to ask us questions regarding our views about Korea and it is fascinating to be able to interact with them
- Lunch at Tongil Restaurant (Kaesong) - dishes are served in small covered golden plated bowls. The number of smalle dishes served symbolised in ancient times the status of the person eating, 12 dishes being the highest number.
- Drive to Sariwon - one of the largest city in the DPRK Games in Sariwon, North Korea
- Walk around Food Street - We drive to Sariwon city and explore what the city has to offer. Opportunity to walk around one of the busiest streets in Sariwon and stop by a local "Sul Jib" (meaning wine house or bar) to try some of the local delicacy; makoli, a traditional Korean drink (with low levels of alcohol). Sariwon is renowned for having the best makoli in the DPRK.
- Check local models of ancient pavilions and have an explanation of ancient Korea - apart from seeing models of Korean ancient pavilions and maps of the ancient Korean peninsula, one of the main highlights here is that there are usually Koreans playing games such as shooting targets (corks used as bullets). Not many travellers visit this city and we are always welcome to have a chance at the game!
- Walk up the hill - the whole city of Sariwon and beyond can be seen from here. The walk itself is not that long, around 5 to 10 minutes, but the views give you a chance of not only seeing people getting along with their daily lives around the city but also the landscape stretching miles away into the horizon
- Drive back to Pyongyang
- Stop at the Reunification Monuments - chance to have some pictures taken at these giant monuments
Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Day 5 - April 15 (Wednesday) - National Holiday - President Kim Il Sung's 103rd Birthday - main day of the Kim Il Sung Birthday Tour
AM
- Breakfast: Yanggakdo Hotel
- Revolutionary Martyrs'
Cemetery - cemetery with busts dedicated to
National Heroes in DPRK who dedicated their lives to the freedom of
Korea
- Kumsusan Memorial Palace of the Sun - where the Leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il remain in state. This is a sacred place in the DPRK and we kindly ask you to wear your smartest clothes when going. This is one of the highlights of the Kim Il Sung Birthday Tour.
- Mangyongdae Native House - President Kim Il Sung's Birthplace. You can listen to President Kim Il Sung's family's history
PM
- Lunch: Pyongyang local restaurant
- Fountain Park
- Mansudae Grand Monuments - giant bronze statues of the leaders. This will surely be busy on this national holiday
- Moranbong Park (where locals picnic and gather on national holidays). Chance to sing and dance with Koreans on this national holiday.
- Ride on Pyongyang Metro, the deepest in the world - we will go on an extended ride with locals, having several stops that will allow you see one of the busiest aspects of life in Pyongyang
- Juche Tower - opportunity to go up the 150 metre tower (170 metres including the torch) that offers a panoramic view of Pyongyang.
- Expected Mass dances in Kim Il Sung Square or the Party Foundation Monuments - other celebrations may be expected though these have yet not been confirmed
- Optional
activities include going to the Acrobatic Circus or seeing the
Orchestra (entrance fee 10 to 20 Euros). These will be confirmed once
in Pyongyang. We expect special celebrations for this day, such as
fireworks displays. These will be confirmed once in Pyongyang
- Farewell Dinner: Duck BBQ, Pyongyang
- Local evening funfair - join in the fun with locals
Day 5 - April 16 (Thursday)
AM
- Breakfast: Yanggakdo Hotel
- 10.40 am train to China - please contact us if interested in flying out. Flight arrangements will have to be made for US citizens.
AM
- Arrival at the Beijing train station. The expected arrival time is 8.31 am
End of the Kim Il Sung Birthday Tour
