Spring Festival Tour

What's it all about?

We’ll be taking in the lunar new year festivities as well as Kim Jong Il’s Birthday!

Our Spring festival & birthday tour will be exploring all the must-see sites around Pyongyang such as the Mausoleum, the incredible Korean War Museum, the Juche Tower, Kim Il Sung Square, the Pyongyang Metro, bowling, micro-breweries and much much more.

We’ll also head north of Pyongyang and to Mt Myohyang where the International Friendship Exhibition is situated in the mountain and holds gifts presented to both Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un. One of the most unique highlights of North Korea and definitely not to be missed!

No trip to the DPRK is complete without visiting the iconic DMZ, site of the division of Korea where our group will have our very own friendly Korean’s People Army officer to guide us around.

Tickets are limited during this busy season of travel so please be sure to book your Spring festival North Korea tour early so we can ensure your spot on the tour is secured.

Highlights
Where?

Beijing – Dandong – Pyongyang – Kaesong – DMZ – Sariwon – Mt Myohyang – Beijing

When?

February 12th – 19th, 2021

Visa?

We will take care of every detail of the North Korea visa application.

 

We’ll also help you with your China visa application by supplying an invitation letter. If you are planning to apply for the 144 hour China transit visa on arrival then we will send you your DPRK visa and flight ticket to Pyongyang so you can apply on arrival in Beijing.

The Itinerary

Map
February 12th - Beijing
  • Meet your Rocky Road guide at 2pm at a Beijing Hotel near Beijing Railway Station. During this meeting, we’ll go through the tour’s itinerary, receive your North Korean visas and tickets, and meet your fellow travellers. It’s a great opportunity to ask any last questions you may have.
  • The train departs Beijing Central station at 5:25pm. There will be a chance to stock up on supplies for the journey. There’s also a restaurant car on the train.
  • The train is a full sleeper with all bedding and pillows provided
  • Overnight on the train.
February 13th - Dandong / Pyongyang
  • Train group arrive in Dandong at 7:00am for Chinese border control then departs again for Sinuiju at 10:00am.
  • Flight takers depart Beijing Airport Terminal 2 on Air Koryo at 12:00pm (Meet group at Air Koryo check in counter).
  • Flight group arrive in Pyongyang at 3:00pm to a warm welcome from your Korean guides.
  • Train group arrive at 6:45pm to an equally warm welcome and transfer directly to the hotel.
  • In the evening your guide will show you around the hotel before taking you for drinks and to get to know your Korean guides
  • Dinner and overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Continue reading
February 14th - Pyongyang
  • Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – This is where the Leader’s Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lay in state.
  • Revolutionary Martyr’s Cemetery

Afternoon

  • Lunch at a Korean Hot Pot Restaurant
  • Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum. This incredible museum features dioramas, captured weapons, the Victory Monument, and the USS Pueblo: the only American military vessel captured by another nation.
  • Juche Tower – the tallest stone tower in the world, it represents the Juche Ideology. Central to the teachings of the DPRK(optional extra €5 to go to the top).
  • Monument to the Party Foundation – The hammer sickle and brush built in 1995.
  • Ride the Pyongyang Metro! See three of the stations and Exit to:
  • The Arch of Triumph– This celebrates the victory over the Japanese and the triumphant return of  Kim Il Sung to his home town.
  • Dinner and drinks
  • Overnight in the Sosan Hotel
February 15th - Kaesong
  • Early drive south to Kaesong.
  • The DMZ – tour Panmunjom with a friendly army officer who will give you the look around. You can even take photos with the army here! We should be the first ones here thus avoiding all the crowds!
  • Koryo Museum – Korea’s first university and now a UNESCO museum of history and culture. There’s also a wonderful stamp and postcard shop here so you can send postcards to your friends and family. Don’t forget to write down the address before you travel!

Afternoon

  • Lunch in Kaesong City – on the menu will be traditional Korean Pansangi, a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Optional extras- Dog Soup €5)
  • Stop by a goat farm in Sariwon where the locals will perform a traditional dance!
  • Stop by the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification that stands over the Thongil (reunification) Highway.
  • Back to Pyongyang in time for dinner at the Duck BBQ restaurant.
  • Visit Kwanbok department store. Here we can shop with the locals and have access to the local North Korean currency!
  • Last night beers at the Taedonggang Micro Brewery! They have seven different types of beer here.
  • Overnight in Sosan Hotel.

February 16th - Pyongyang

  • Today is the birthday of Kim Jong Il.
  • Stroll through Mansudae fountain park taking in the Grand Peoples Study House and see the mosaic pictures of the leaders.
  • Visit Mansudae Grand Monument – the two large bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il.
  • Kim Il Sung Square – The central square of Pyongyang City and a popular meeting point.
  • Foreign Language Bookshop – right next to the square and the best place for pins, stamps, books and other souvenirs!
  • Lunch

Afternoon

  • Grand People’s Study House. This is the main library and learning center for adult students. This huge building is built in the Korean style and affords a great view over the Kim Il Sung Square.
  • Stop by a local department store – here we can buy local made items and use the local North Korean currency! You can take some home as a souvenir.
  • Special celebratory events (optional: €20) – Yet to be confirmed but we will take part in any holiday events that are possible to attend. 
  • Expected mass dance for Victory Day, join in or just watch for excellent photography opportunities!
  • Stop by Mansugyo Beer Bar – a very popular bar with the locals, soft drinks and coffees also available.
  • Dinner at the National restaurant with a special musical performance!
  • Overnight at the Sosan Hotel

February 17th -Mt Myohyang

  • Drive out to the Mt Myohyang region –  north of Pyongyang.
  • Visit the famous International Friendship Exhibition – two large gift houses that hold the gifts presented to both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il from all over the world.
  • Pohyon Temple – One of the five famous temples of Korea and one of the largest Buddhist temples in the North Korea.

Afternoon

  • Lunch at the Hyangsan Hotel – a stunning five star deluxe hotel situated between the mountain ranges.
  • Drive back to Pyongyang and on the way stopping at Ryongmun Cave – one of the most famous cave complexes in North Korea and is famous for its stalactite and stalagmite formations.
  • Head to the Shooting Range! It comes with rifles, pistols, archery, virtual games and automatic rifles. (extra cost)
  • Dinner and drinks at a local restaurant in Pyongyang
  • Evening walk along Ryomyong street – a new street constructed in 2017 with a metro station, local shops and tall apartment buildings
  • Overnight at Sosan Hotel.

February 18th - Pyongyang

  • Flyers depart Pyongyang at 10:30am on Air Koryo, arrive in Beijing at 11:30am local time.
  • Train takers depart at 10:25am for Beijing, arriving in Dandong Railway Station at 16:30 to change train for the overnight to Beijing departing at 18:30

February 19th - Beijing

  • Train takers arrive at 9:00 into Beijing main station
  • End of our Spring Festival North Korea tour.
What else?
Inclusions
Exclusions
  • Hotels in Korea

    Twin share accommodation (single supplements are available for an extra €40 per night).

  • Train travel

    Return train in and out from Beijing-Pyongyang-Beijing. Contact us if you want to join the tour from the border town of Dandong.

  • All Meals

    Three meals per day in the DPRK unless specified in the itinerary. (food on the train in & out not supplied).

  • Guides

    Korean guides in North Korea and a western guide all the way from Beijing to guide you through border customs & immigration.

  • Transport

    Air-conditioned bus and driver.

  • Flights

    Optional extra flight from Beijing to Pyongyang or Pyongyang to Beijing. (Conditions apply, more info below)

  • Extra purchases

    All meals are included (unless otherwise stated) with water and some beer. Any extra drinks or souvenirs that you buy are extra cost.

  • Visa

    We arrange the DPRK visa for you at a cost of €50.

  • Tips

    Tips are expected for your Korean local guides and driver. Normally this is calculated at €10 per day. For example, on a 5 day tour the total tip expected is €50. All tips go directly to both guides & driver.

  • Events

    Sometimes special events pop up on when we are on tour and we may decide to attend. It's up to you whether or not to attend but usually these are extra cost. Examples include the circus or a music concert.

Tour Notes

You’ll be in the experienced hands of our expert English speaking North Korean guides and Rocky Road Travel guide. Your itinerary may change slightly but we will always go above and beyond with added extras to the itinerary. We always put an emphasis on visiting real everyday life places such as local cafes, bars and amusement parks, bowling alleys etc. 

Before & after each tour we will add you to dedicated email and social media groups so you can share photos easily with your travel mates. Let us know if you want to opt out of this.

To book simply get in touch below to start the conversation today.

Read More

by train

February 12 - 19th (Beijing - Beijing)

by flight

Extra €195 one way & €295 return

standard hotel

5 nights in North korea

the price

Only €1095 + visa €50 all inclusive

Dates don’t work?

More great options

Dec 28 – Jan 3rd

January 11 – 17th

March 1 – 7th

Further Reading

What is a Good North Korean Gift?

What makes a great North Korean gift? You’ve just booked your long awaited tour of [...]

What are the Main Stadiums in North Korea?

What are the main stadiums in North Korea? North Korea is famous for doing things [...]

Why You Should Tour North Korea

How to take a tour in North Korea There are plenty of known reasons why [...]