Short Itinerary
Day 1 Beijing, China
The capital of the most populous country on earth is quickly shedding its historical face in favour of modernity. Today we’ll visit Tiananmen Square, the very heart of the nation for local Chinese and truly a grand sight. From there we will enter the Forbidden City, former home to China’s Imperial rulers, for a guided tour of the palaces, buildings and seemingly never ending grand courtyards.
Days 2-4 Pyongyang, North Korea
Transfer to the Beijing International Airport for the 2 hour flight to Pyongyang, North Korea. There is a plethora of fascinating sites in the nations’ capital. Sites include; Kumsusan Memorial Palace, Martyrs’ Cemetery, Kim Il Sung Square, Mansudae Grand Monument/Fountain Park, Grand People’s Study House, Monument to Party Foundation, metro, Arch of Triumph, 3 Revolutions Exhibition, Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, War Victory Monument Park, Mangyongdae Native House.
Day 5 Kaesong
160kms south of Pyongyang is Kaesong. En route to the city we’ll visit the Sariwon Folk Village, Sinchon Village, the Museum of US War crimes and the Woljong Buddhist temple. In Kaesong itself is the Tomb of King Kongmin. This twin-domed tomb of the 31st King of the Koryo dynasty and his Mongolian wife is set at the end of a picturesque valley. Kaseong Park and Kwandok Pavillion is a small tower which offers views down into Kaesong old town, features a statue of President Kim Il Sung.
Day 6 The DMZ/Pyongyang
Today we’ll visit Panmunjom, a truce village that spans both sides of the DMZ, marking the division between North and South Korea where soldiers from both sides go toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose. A Concrete Wall anti-tank barrier erected on the Southern boundary of the DMZ is seen in the North as evidence of the intent to permanently divide the nation. Later in the day we’ll visit the Gyenam Stock Farm and the Buyong Pavilion in the city of Haeju. Overnight in Pyongyang.
Day 7 Wonsan
4 hours east of Pyongyang is the seaside city of Wonsan. While here we visit a local co-operative farm – Songdowon Schoolchildren’s camp, the city docks, a local beach and the Kumgang Mountains. We’ll also visit a local project at an Orphan’s School. Babel Travel contributes towards the playground equipment for 550 children aged 7-11 years who are residents and students at the Wonsan Primary School Residential Home.
Day 8 Pyongyang
After returning to Pyongyang, we take a side trip to the Nampo Orphanage. This colorful, modern facility is where we will spend a few hours playing with children and talking with their caretakers about their lives and work with the orphans. We’ll also visit the West Sea Barrage and the Chonsamri Cooperative Farm, a community of 2,500 people living and working together with their own shops, schools, theaters and services. In the evening we’ll meet a Korean War veteran and take part in a cooking demonstration.
Day 9 Mt Paekdu
Fly from Pyongyang to Chongjin at 9am. Upon arrival we’ll explore the city. The Revolutionary Museum in Chongjin is the main attraction in DPRK’s second largest city. Later today we’ll visit classrooms and observe a performance at a Kindergarten before transferring to Mount Paekdu. While here we’ll visit Lake Chon, The Secret Camp, the Samjiyon Grand Monument before returning to Chongjin for the night.
Day 10 Home stay
After breakfast we visit the Chilbo Mountains, one of DPRK’s most remote and scenic areas; before transferring to our overnight home stay with a North Korean family. This is the only place in North Korea where it is possible to stay in the home of a local family. This village was built specially for the purpose as is not as Potemkin as you might think – the people do really live here! No English is spoken but our North Korean guide can translate for our group.
Days 11-12 Pyongyang
After breakfast we fly back to Pyongyang. Upon our return we’ll visit more of the cities sights; the Juche Tower, view the USS Pueblo cold war relic, visit the Moranbong Senior Middle School and visit the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital. On day 12 we visit the International Friendship Exhibition Museum in Mt Myohyang (2hrs north of Pyongyang) and the Pyohon Buddhist Temple. The more energetic can take part in the Manpok Valley Walk (2hrs return).
Days 13-14 Dandong, China
This morning we board a train from Pyongyang, travel to Beijing and disembark in the Chinese city of Dandong. While in Dandong we’ll visit the Great Wall of China (which overlooks North Korea), take a boat trip at the ‘one metre hop’ which is the narrowest point between China and DPRK (you can see Korean People’s Army border guards up close, as little as 5 metres away!), visit the snappily-named ‘Museum of War to Resist America and Aid Korea’, have lunch in a North Korean restaurant – complete with song and dance show from the waitresses and take a boat trip on the wider Yalu river – the boat sweeps up and down the river in and out of North Korean waters, great for photos! On the evening of Day 14 we’ll board the overnight train to Beijing.
Day 15 Beijing
The overnight sleeper from Dandong arrives in Beijing at 8.30am on day 15. Upon arrival we’ll transfer to our Beijing hotel for a farewell breakfast. Day rooms are available until 6pm. You are free to depart at any time during day 15. No activities are planned for this day.