• Overall

  For the budget-conscious, this tour will not only get you into the Pyongyang Marathon, but will also give you a comprehensive experience of Pyongyang including the Pyongyang Metro, the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, and the Arch of Triumph.

  This tour includes train transportation from the Chinese border city of Dandong, but can be upgraded to start and finish your tour in Beijing, the capital of China, by either overnight train or using the short flights from Beijing Capital Airport (PEK).

  ➤ Pyongyang Marathon 2025

  The Pyongyang Marathon is a World Athletics’ Bronze Label Road Race, and also has AIMS Certification. Join the race and receive the most unique finisher's medal, running shirt, and race certificates available.

  Even if you're not a serious runner, the Pyongyang Marathon is an event like no other. It starts and ends in Kim Il Sung Stadium - a stadium filled with over 50,000 North Koreans cheering you on as you finish your race. It's an experience like no other. 

  The Closest Experience to Being in the Olympics
  What do North Koreans Think of the Pyongyang Marathon?
  More on the Pyongyang Marathon 

  Pyongyang Marathon tour highlights, full tour itinerary,
  add-ons, and notes on the tour
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  Koryo Tours International Tours

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  Highlights

  • 2025 PYONGYANG MARATHON!
  • Visit the War Museum.
  • Pyongyang Ride on the Pyongyang Metro, the deepest metro system in the world.

  click image to expand

• Itinerary

  Briefing Day

  1. April 10 | 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, pay any outstanding tour fees and browse our collection of Korean art. A proper briefing is an essential part of travel to North Korea.
     
     For Pyongyang Marathon tours, we will hold several briefings to suit each of the transport entry & exit options. Please read below for further information.

     AM

     • 10:00 | Train from Beijing Departure - your briefing will be held at this time in Beijing

     PM

     • 14:00 / 16:00 / 18:00 | Flight Departure - briefings will be held in the afternoon on this day in Beijing at these times, you only need to attend one briefing (exact times offered to be confirmed)

     • Train travelers depart Beijing Station by domestic sleeper train to Dandong, the Chinese city on the border with the DPRK. Please arrange independent travel to the train station and arrive at least an hour and a half early for the train departure.

     • 18:00 | Train from Dandong Departure - your briefing will be held in Dandong at this time (exact location subject to final confirmation)

     Overnight | Hotel in Beijing/Dandong not included in the tour.

  2. April 11 | Friday

     Arrival into Pyongyang

     AM

     • Meet your Koryo Tours tour guide and fellow travellers at Dandong Railway Station (exact time and place TBC) before getting on the train to Pyongyang. 
     • After crossing the border from Dandong to Sinuiju by train, customs officials board the train for immigration and customs checks before the train continues its journey to Pyongyang.
     • Flight takers, there will be a free bus from the Koryo Tours office to Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 2. Exact time TBC at the pre-tour briefing. Alternatively, meet the group at the Air Koryo check-in counter.

     PM

     • Flight departure from Beijing on Air Koryo - flight times are TBC and subject to change. Currently expected to depart around midday/early afternoon. A 2-hour flight with basic lunch.
     • Arrival to Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport (FNJ). DPRK immigration and customs, meet your Korean guides and transfer to the city.
     • An approx. 5-hour long train journey will take you through the Korean countryside to Pyongyang Railway Station with expected arrival at 18:45, where you will meet your guides and then transfer to your hotel for check-in & dinner.

     Overnight | Ryanggang Hotel, Pyongyang. The two rivers hotel (so named as it sits on a hill overlooking the point where the Potong river and Taedong Rivers meet). The hotel offers great views over different parts of the city (depending on which side of the building you stay on) from the open balconies, and also from the ‘swivelling’ restaurant. The underground karaoke room here is excellent and the bar in the lobby is also great.

  3. April 12 | Saturday

     Pyongyang City Tour

     AM

     • Early Morning Run in Pyongyang | Your chance for a pre-marathon run in Pyongyang! You will have to be up early for this, a good opportunity to give yourself some preparation for the following day's big event. Optional activity, for those that don't participate you can enjoy a sleep in.
     • Mangyongdae Native House | Birthplace and childhood home of President Kim Il Sung. A traditional Korean house in what is today a quiet suburban park.
        
     • Kim Il Sung Square | Pyongyang’s central square lined with government ministries, museums and The Grand People’s Study House.
        
     • 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.
        
     • Monument to the Party Foundation | Iconic stone hammer, sickle, writing brush representing the workers, farmers, and intellectuals which make up the Worker's Party of Korea.
     • Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum | Tour this world-class museum led by a local museum guide. Renovated in 2012 and it exhibits the Korean War from the DPRK perspective containing artefacts, 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 USS Pueblo. Central to the understanding of the country today and highlight of the trip.

     PM

     • 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 massive archway made for the 70th anniversary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung in 1982 and commemorating the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. Larger than its counterpart in Paris.
     • Kim Il Sung Stadium & Marathon Route Preview | Visit the stadium where you will start and finish your race, and then drive the marathon route to familiarise yourself with the roads, turning points and toilet stops.
     • Yanggakdo International Cinema | Optional screening of Run and Run. A DPRK film about marathon runner Yong Ho who faces the physical and mental struggles of marathon participation. After both his father and work unit manager tell him to stop running, he becomes more determined to achieve his marathon dream (80 RMB entry fee paid on the spot). A Koryo Tours exclusive and sure to provide you with motivation ahead of the big event!

     Overnight | Ryanggang Hotel, Pyongyang

  4. April 13 | Sunday

     The big event! The Pyongyang Marathon 2025!

     AM

     • The 2025 Pyongyang Marathon | This is your chance to run the streets of Pyongyang in the DPRK’s largest annual sports event! Join the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km or 5km race — all of which follow a return course that starts and ends in Kim Il Sung Stadium in front of a 50,000-strong capacity crowd of local Koreans. (Runner's guide to Kim Il Sung Stadium)

     The full route, which has been certified by both World Athletics and AIMS, leads right through the city centre, past a number of iconic landmarks, and then out into Pyongyang's less urban districts. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to see more of the capital and interact with people along the course.

     PM

     • Shower, resting time and lunch | After the marathon's closing ceremony, we'll be heading back to the hotel to recharge, shower and rest before heading out for a relaxing afternoon of sight seeing in Pyongyang.
     • Kwangbok Department Store | Opportunity to use Korean currency and shop with the citizens of Pyongyang! Try the snack stand on the first floor for some of Pyongyang’s best local eats.
     • Tower of the Juche Idea | The tallest stone monument in the world and dedicated to the DPRK's guiding philosophy. Take the elevator to the top (5 EUR ticket) for a panoramic view of Pyongyang.
     • Local Beer Bar | Relax at one of Pyongyang’s local bars to wrap up an exciting day.
     • Pyongyang Marathon Banquet | Dinner tonight will be at the annual Pyongyang Marathon Banquet. Celebrate your run and toast the marathon with your fellow runners, guides and local event organisers. A casual affair, no dress code requirements.

     Overnight | Ryanggang Hotel, Pyongyang

  5. April 14 | Monday

     Departure day

     • For those opting to fly out, flight departure from Pyongyang on Air Koryo with an expected arrival at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) Terminal 2 by midday.
     • For those finishing the tour in Dandong you can go on to explore this fascinating border city, the surrounding areas, or make your own way to Beijing or elsewhere in China. Expected arrival into Dandong is approximately 16:23 local time.
     • For those finishing the tour in Beijing you will transfer in Dandong for onward travel to Beijing with scheduled arrival in Beijing Station on Tuesday, April 15th at 08:38. For this tour the default option is hard sleeper (six beds per berth).

     End of Tour.

• Extras

  • Entry and Exit Method - Budget Marathon

    This tour travels between between Dandong-Pyongyang by train. Upgrade your train journey to a round trip from Beijing (+95 EUR), or make it a flight departure and train return to Beijing (+295 EUR), or a train departure and flight return to Beijing (+295 EUR), or even a round-trip flight from Beijing (+435 EUR).

  • 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

  • Pyongyang Marathon — official race entry

    The Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon is now open to foreign amateur runners. You can run the 5k, 10k, Half or Full Marathon. All four take place on the same day in April, and follow the same course, which is fully recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations. We are the EXCLUSIVE travel partner for foreign amateurs. Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to become one of the few people in the world to have run the Pyongyang Marathon. We'll see you at the start line!

  • Pyongyang Marathon - running shirt size

    Koryo Tours will provide free running shirts to everyone signed up for a Koryo Tours Pyongyang Marathon Trip. Male shirts are a regular fit, while female shirts are a slim fit. Please pay attention to the sizes as they are smaller than western shirt sizes.

  • 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

  • Return train journey: Dandong – Pyongyang / Pyongyang – Dandong
  • All meals on the tour (these will be at local restaurants or in the hotel) except for on the train journey in and out
  • Hotel accommodation in DPRK
  • A Koryo Tours tour leader, two local Korean guides, and a driver per group
  • All transportation in the DPRK Official running shirt, finisher's medal and race certificate

  NOT INCLUDED

  • Marathon race fees - to be paid in cash (clean USD notes only) before the race in Pyongyang, amounts are 5 km: $50 USD / 10 km: $70 USD / Half Marathon: $100 USD / Full Marathon: $150 USD
  • North Korean (DPRK) visa fee 60 EUR
  • Optional upgrade to Beijing-Pyongyang round-trip train ticket 95 EUR
  • Optional Air Koryo flights (one-way: 295 EUR; return: 435 EUR)
  • Optional single room supplement of 40 EUR per night
  • Tips for the local Korean guides and driver (approx 10-15 EUR per day per tourist)
  • 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)
  • Meals include a complimentary beer and water, but you will need to purchase extra drinks if needed
  • Spending money for souvenirs

• Notes

  Our Budget Marathon Tours are capped at 30 people per group.

  Unless you hold a valid multi-entry visa for China at the time of travel, you are required to organise for a double entry visa for China for this tour.

  Please note that when on tour your day-to-day itinerary may differ to 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 28th February, 2025.