• Overall

  There is a famous saying in North Korea that 'Children are the Kings of the Country' and significant attention is devoted to children's upbringing and education. International Children's Day on June 1^st is particularly important, and celebrations are held in recognition of children throughout North Korea.

  This day is usually marked by student-oriented activities, events, and celebrations. We'll spend the holiday in the capital Pyongyang out and about in the city, visiting locations popular with schoolchildren and their families, letting out our inner child, and joining in the fun!

  This tour is ideal for those who are looking for an active few days in North Korea and willing to take three extra days off for the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. Looking for a quick escape out of China? Put that zongzi down and look no further.

  This action-packed 5-night getaway is an introduction to North Korea through outdoor and indoor activities. Early risers can have a morning run on Pyongyang's Sports Street and be overtaken by North Korean athletes during their morning training.

  Get the rare chance to tour the highlights of Pyongyang by bike before finishing off at Munsu Water Park to relax with the locals.

  This will also get you to the DMZ, the most heavily fortified border on earth, and a viewpoint of the Concrete Wall, an anti-tank barrier built in the 1970s by the south across the entire DMZ. The 45-minute scenic drive from Kaesong will also give you a rare insight into rural North Korea.

  Why not escape China at one of its busiest times for Chinese National Day too?

  Scroll down for an overview of the North Korea Dragon Boat Festival Tour highlights, tour itinerary, DPRK tourist visa information, and extra add-ons.

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  Highlights

  • An active weekend in Pyongyang | Morning runs on Sports' Street, Pyongyang City Cycling, and Taekwondo Class
  • International Children's Day activities | Celebrate with local North Koreans! 
  • Kaesong | The ancient capital of the Koryo Dynasty just south of the 38th Parallel and north of the DMZ

  click image to expand

• Itinerary

  Day 1 of 6

  1. May 29 | Thursday

     *Pre-Tour Briefing | We require all travelers to attend a pre-tour briefing that covers regulations, etiquette, safety, and practicalities for travel in North Korea. The briefing lasts approximately one hour followed by a question and answer session. Please be punctual for the briefing. You can come early, meet your fellow travelers, and pay any outstanding tour fees. A proper briefing is an essential part of travel to North Korea.

     AM

     • 09:00 | Our group assembles for a pre-tour group briefing in Beijing. There will be a free bus from the briefing location to Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 2.

     PM

     • Flight departure from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Terminal 2 on Air Koryo flight JS252 at 14:00. A 1.5-hour flight with basic lunch (vegetarian option is subject to availability). 
        
     • Flight arrival to Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport (FNJ) at 17:05. DPRK immigration and customs, meet your Korean guides and transfer to the city.
        
     • Pyongyang Metro Tour | One of the deepest metro systems in the world with stunning artwork reflecting the name of each station. Ride six stations on the Chollima Line.
        
     • Arch of Triumph | A 60-m archway commemorating the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule and larger than its counterpart in Paris.

     Overnight | Chongnyon (Youth) Hotel, Pyongyang. A very green retro-futurist giant, located on modernist Kwangbok Street. Outdoor and indoor swimming pools, and home to the best foreign karaoke in Pyongyang. One of very few of our tours to stay at this unique hotel!

  2. May 30 | Friday

     Pyongyang City Tour

     AM

     • Optional morning run for the early risers on Sports Street past stadiums and halls whose architecture reflects the sports played within.
        
     • Mansudae Fountain Park | The historic center of Pyongyang popular with local citizens after school and on weekends. Flanked by examples of ancient and modern architecture from different eras.
        
     • Mansudae Grand Monument | Enormous bronze statues of the DPRK leadership overlooking downtown Pyongyang. A presentation of flowers and a bow by the group is customary here. Visitations are by special request only and decent dress is required. No shorts or flip-flop sandals are allowed here.
        
     • Grand People’s Study House | Huge national library and public university housed in a large neo-traditional Korean building overlooking Kim Il Sung Square and downtown Pyongyang.
        
     • Foreign Languages Bookshop | Store selling Korean publications translated into English, German, French, Russian, Chinese, and Spanish. Also pick up DVDs, postcards, and small works of art.
        
     • Okryugwan | A meal at Pyongyang’s most famous restaurant. Housed in a huge traditional building on the banks of the Taedong River. Okryugwan specializes in Pyongyang Cold Noodles.

     PM

     • June 9th Middle School | One of the model schools of Pyongyang. Here you can join in an English lesson, and see science, revolutionary history, music, and art rooms. Outside is a dirt football pitch so bring a ball and get a kick-about going with some of the students.
        
     • Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum and USS Pueblo | We’ll tour this world-class museum led by a local museum guide. Renovated in 2012 its exhibits of the Korean War from the DPRK perspective contain artifacts, documents, photos, and lifelike dioramas. The exterior grounds house the War Victory Monument and displays of Korean People’s Army Hero Equipment and captured equipment from the US military, including the spy ship USS Pueblo. Central to the understanding of the country today and a highlight of the trip.
        
     • Mansugyo Beer Bar | A beer bar serving seven types of beer. Popular with locals after work and on weekends. Best place to drink pints with local people.

     Overnight | Chongnyon Hotel, Pyongyang

  3. May 31 | Saturday

     An active Saturday in Pyongyang

     AM

     • Taekwondo Class | A 60-minute introductory class at the Taekwondo Arena on Sports Street to taekwondo, the national martial art that all children learn to a certain degree in school.
        
     • City Cycling | Tour Pyongyang on a bike (please note that bicycles are limited to 20 spots) starting from Kwangbok Department Store through downtown Pyongyang to Munsu Water Park stopping at:
        
       • Kim Il Sung Square | Pyongyang’s central square lined with government ministries, museums, and The Grand People’s Study House, Korea’s national library. See the centre of it all!
          
       • Tower of the Juche Idea | Iconic tower dedicated to the DPRK’s guiding philosophy on the Taedong River. Take the elevator to the top for 5 EUR for great views of the city.
          
       • Monument to the Party Foundation | Iconic structure featuring the hammer, sickle, and writing brush which make up the emblem of the Worker’s Party of Korea and represent workers, farmers, and intellectuals.

     PM

     • Munsu Water Park | We’ll take a break at this outdoor and indoor water park with water slides, lap pools, and hot tubs. Bar, coffee shop, and shops for non-swimmers (Entry fee 2 EUR; swimming fee 10 EUR with suit rental).
     • Taedonggang Bar No. 3 | Upscale bar across the street from the Tower of the Juche Idea. There are a variety of beers on tap produced at Pyongyang’s Taedonggang Brewery outside of town (2-2.5 EUR per glass).
        
     • Kwangbok Department Store | Exchange for Korean currency and shop with the citizens of Pyongyang! Try the snack stands for some of Pyongyang’s best local eats.

     Overnight | Chongnyon Hotel, Pyongyang

  4. June 1 | Sunday

     International Children's Day and Drive to Kaesong

     AM

     • Mangyongdae Native House | Birthplace of and childhood home of President Kim Il Sung. A traditional Korean house in beautiful natural surroundings.
        
     • International Children's Day activities in Pyongyang.
        
     • Moranbong Park | Picnic lunch and a walk through Pyongyang’s central park through historic monuments, ancient and modern architecture.

     PM

     • Drive south on the Pyongyang-Kaesong (formerly known as Reunification) Motorway to Kaesong, the historic capital of the medieval Koryo Dynasty (918-1392 AD). Once located in South Korea, the city changed hands during the Korean War. It is now located just north of the DMZ.
        
     • Stop in Sariwon the provincial seat of North Hwanghae Province and a centre of agriculture and industry.
        
     • Migok Co-Operative Farm | Learn about rural life in the DPRK at this farming community on the bucolic plains of Sariwon. Visit the farm's museum, viewpoint, and local home.
        
     • Dinner with a live Kayagum performance. A traditional Korean instrument in a unique setting!

     Overnight | Minsok Folk Hotel, Kaesong. Traditional style hotel where guests sleep on heated floors in Korean style. Housed in beautiful courtyards of Kaesong’s old city, structures date back to the Ri Dynasty. Basic bathroom facilities. Hot water is not guaranteed and erratic electricity supply – please bring a torch.

  5. June 2 | Monday

     Historic Kaesong and the Joint Security Area (*Please note that due to the current political situation and recent changes, it is our understanding that visits to Panmunjom and the JSA as well as to the Concrete Wall are not possible at least until further notice. If that is the case at the time of our visit we will visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kaesong as well as a ginseng factory.)

     AM

     • Old City Walk and South Gate | A stroll from the hotel through Kaesong’s historic district lined with homes dating back to the Ri Dynasty from the city’s historic South Gate.
        
     • Panmunjom Armistice Village and DMZ (*Currently suspended) | The site of the signing of the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War and the demarcation line between North and South. On some days it is possible to visit the hut straddling the line, where negotiations between both sides once took place. Here we will be accompanied by military guides from the Korean People's Army.
        
     • Kaesong Koryo Museum | Once the Songgyung Academy, a Confucian school, and now a museum on the Koryo Dynasty exhibiting historical objects, statues, pagodas, and porcelain from that era. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
        
     • Kaesong Korean Stamp Exhibition Hall  | Store selling stamps, postcards, local ginseng, souvenirs, art, and more! One of the best postcard collections in the country and has friendly staff.
        
     • Traditional Royal Korean Lunch (pangsanggi) | A meal made of 12 dishes served in brass bowls fit for the kings of old. The more dishes, the more distinguished the guests! Traditional Korean 'sweet meat soup' is an option here (5 EUR).

     PM

     • Janam Hill | Statues of the DPRK leadership on a hill overlooking Kaesong city and a historic pavilion used for archery demonstrations in days of yore.
        
     • Concrete Wall and view of DMZ  (*Currently suspended) | View of a complex fortification system erected on the southern boundary of the DMZ accompanied by a military guide. The wall is seen as evidence of intent to permanently divide the nation. A 45-minute drive each way from Kaesong through scenic countryside.
        
     • Drive back to Pyongyang. A 3-hour drive.
        
     • Farewell dinner at Duck BBQ Restaurant | Famous restaurant in south Pyongyang specializing in duck meat barbecue on a grill. Southcentral does it like nobody does!

     Overnight | Chongnyon Hotel, Pyongyang

  6. June 3 | Tuesday

     Departure Day from Pyongyang and Return to Beijing by flight or train. Please confirm your preferred transport method upon booking.

     AM

     • Flight departure from Pyongyang on Air Koryo Flight JS151 at 08:30 with scheduled arrival at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) Terminal 2 at 09:50.

     OR

     • Train departure by train to Beijing at 10:25 with transfer in Dandong. The scheduled arrival is at Beijing Station on Wednesday, June 4 at 08:40. For this tour the default option is hard sleeper (six beds per berth).

     End of Tour

• Extras

  • Return by plane not train

    This tour enters the DPRK by plane. But the default setting upon your return is the 24-hour international train from Pyongyang to Beijing. For an extra 265 EUR you can opt for the plane back instead. The flight takes around 90 minutes.

  • Visit the DPRK border town of Sinuiju

    If you're heading back to Beijing by train this option lets you get off for an overnight in Dongrim before the next day's tour of Sinuiju — the border city with China. Spend an extra 24 hours in the DPRK seeing the sites of North Pyongan province. You will then continue on through to Beijing.

    See more

  • Visit Dandong — the Chinese gateway to the DPRK

    Instead of immediately returning to Beijing when your tour ends you can take some extra time to visit this fascinating border city, which directly faces the DPRK town of Sinuiju, but lies on the Chinese side of the Yalu River. We offer both one-night and two-night fully guided extensions that take in all the sights of Dandong, with a special North Korea theme.

    See more

  • Upgrade to your own room

    All hotel rooms on our all-inclusive group tours feature twin beds, and will be shared. If you'd like a room to yourself then you can upgrade for an extra 40 EUR per night.

    See more

  • Insurance for up to six nights

    We're unable to take you on one of our tours if you do not have medical insurance that covers the destination in question. Issues of isolation and infrastructure where we go mean it would be irresponsible of us to do so. We can provide this if you do not have it — or you can use your own.

• What is / is not included?

  INCLUDED

  • Air Koryo flight Beijing – Pyongyang
  • Train travel Pyongyang – Beijing by hard sleeper class with transfer in Dandong
  • All meals on the tour apart from meals on the train
  • Hotel accommodation in North Korea
  • Two local English-speaking Korean guides and a driver per group
  • A Koryo Tours tour leader
  • All transportation in North Korea

  NOT INCLUDED

  • North Korean visa fee 60 EUR
  • Optional Air Koryo flight Pyongyang – Beijing (265 EUR)
  • Optional single room supplement of 40 EUR per night
  • Tips for the local Korean guides and driver (approx 10-15 EUR per day)
  • Optional activities such as the lift up the Juche Tower (5 EUR) or a visit to the funfair (approx. 2 EUR entrance fee per person)
  • Entry tickets for special events if applicable – for example, Pyongyang Circus (approx. 20 EUR per person) or film screening (approx. 10 EUR)
  • Meals include a complimentary beer and water, but you will need to purchase extra drinks if needed
  • Spending money on souvenirs

• Notes

  Groups will be in the experienced hands of two or three local Korean guides and a Koryo Tours tour leader. Please note that when on tour your day-to-day itinerary may differ from what is advertised above.

  Your tour leader will ensure, however, that everything available at the time is covered, and replacement options are provided where needed. We will also add in extras when there is time (such as a visit to a local bar or amusement park).

  We visit the DPRK regularly so know all the best places to go, and how to make the most of your days there to guarantee the experience of a lifetime. After the tour, we will send out a list of all participants' emails so you can keep in touch, swap photos, etc. If you do not wish to be on this list then please let us know.

Please apply by 15th May, 2025.