Red Star Travel

Saturday 9th April – PYONGYANG CITY TOUR

AM: Our city tour starts with the Mansudae Grand Monuments – the giant bronze statues of North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. This is a very important place for Koreans and visitors are requested to follow local customs, which include placing a bouquet of flowers at the monument and bowing in front of the statues. We then visit the Foreign Languages Bookshop and take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Pyongyang. On our journey, we walk through the heart of the city,and stop by Kim Il Sung Square, which is Pyongyang’s largest. This is where the capital’s mass dances take place and the military parades pass through. Next stop is the Grand People’s Study House. Supposedly stocked with over 3 million books, this enormous library/place of study has a great view over Kim Il Sung Square. We will tour the lecture rooms and hopefully get to see a few classes.

PM: After lunch we head to The Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum where you can learn the history of the Korean War from the North Korean perspective. The museum’s different rooms explain the origins of the conflict, and include highly impressive dioramas, tanks, planes, and much more. Then it’s on to the USS Pueblo – an American spy ship captured by the DPRK navy in 1968. Next we drop by the Golden Lane Bowling Centre where Pyongyang’s residents go for their ten-pin fix. This is a great chance to mix with local people. Even if you don’t end up playing, it’s worth grabbing a seat here to watch everyone have some fun. There is also a shooting range next door where you can fire 20 rounds for $6. Finally it’s time for a well deserved drink at Taedonggang No 3 Micro Brewery and bar! We will drive the marathon route in preparation for tomorrow before heading to the hotel for dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang

3-Night Pyongyang Marathon Tour

Description

We’re excited to bring the opportunity for amateur runners to take part in the Pyongyang Marathon for the third year running. This race can be run either as a full marathon or as a half marathon. There is also a 10k race. Hundreds of local runners take part as well as some elite foreign runners. Anyone taking part in this tour who wants to watch the marathon instead of take part in it is more than welcome to do so. We have attended this marathon several times over the years so kwe now the good places to watch. Also, local football matches take place in Kim Il Sung stadium after the start of the race so you can be there for this too!

On this tour, you will also see both the giant celebrations for the anniversary of the birth of eternal President Kim Il Sung as well as getting out of the city to some of the highlights of the country should consider joining us on this amazing tour. We’ll see all we can see of the holiday festivities in the capital, mix it up with the people on their days off (bowling, visiting a local bar, spending time in the parks which are the best places for mingling). We then head away from the city to get a taste of what there is to see in other areas of the DPRK.

Detailed Itinerary:

Friday 8th April – ARRIVAL DAY

AM:  This morning we will together head to Beijing Airport Terminal 2 for our flight Beijing to Pyongyang (1.5 hrs) - the showcase capital of the DPRK.

PM: Upon arrival in Pyongyang (approximately 4pm - DPRK is one hour ahead of China), we proceed through immigration and customs and meet our guides who will accompany us during our stay. On our way to the hotel we will visit the Arch of Triumph built in 1982 to commemorate Korean independence from Japan, this is – put simply – much like the famous Parisian monument, but bigger. 

OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang

Sunday 10th April – PYONGYANG MARATHON

AM: This morning we head straight for Kim Il Sung Stadium for the highlight of the tour: the PYONGYANG MARATHON. This is only the third year that the marathon has been open to amateur runners so get your shorts on, limber up, and start running! You can do a 10km run, half marathon or a full marathon. Running through the streets of Pyongyang with hundreds of local runners is guaranteed to be an amazing experience. Those who are not running can either watch from the streets, and cheer on those participating, or – alternatively – attend a local football match inside Kim Il Sung Stadium (where the marathon also starts and finishes). There is often a large crowd at this time of year so a good atmosphere and some amazing photos can be expected!

PM: After the marathon we will head back to the hotel for a shower, change of clothes and lunch. You can then choose whether to spend the afternoon relaxing at Munsu Water Park (Entrance costs EUR 10) OR take an afternoon city tour of Pyongyang. The city tour starts at the Juche Tower, the highest stone monument in the world. Take the lift to the top for stunning views over Pyongyang (entrance costs EUR 5). Next, a photo stop at the Party Foundation Monument – an iconic sculpture of a hammer, sickle and calligraphy brush which was constructed to celebrate 50 years of Workers’ Party rule. Then we go deep underground for a ride on the Pyongyang Metro, which is the deepest subway system in the world. The designs of the main stations are stunning, and particularly notable for their superb lighting and mosaics. This is a great chance to interact with local people, especially if you are prepared to learnsome basic greetings in Korean. Last visit of the day is to Mangyongdae Native House – the native birthplace of President Kim Il Sung. We’ll then head back to the hotel for a farewell dinner and the Koryo Cup Ceremony where our top three runners in each category are awarded prizes.

OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang

Monday 11th April – DEPARTURE DAY

AM: The flight departs Pyongyang at 09:00 and arrives in Beijing at approx 10:00am.