North Korea Day of the Sun Tour

Start
Apr 13, 2025
Beijing
End
Apr 19, 2025
Beijing
Duration
7 days
Price
EUR1595.00

Is North Korea Open for Tourism?

Currently, North Korea is still closed to tourists, however we are anticipating their re-opening by having everything ready to go as soon as the announcement is made. All North Korea tours will run as scheduled, if the country has opened in time for all arrangements to be made for that tour. If North Korea has not yet opened, any bookings/deposits can be moved onto any other tour (North Korea, or another destination). If you are interested in visiting North Korea, you can sign up for our North Korea mailing list by sending us an email.

Read more about it here!



TOUR OVERVIEW


This is easily the most popular time of the year for people to visit the DPRK, and with good reason! From great weather to international events to the biggest day of the year – The Day of the Sun – everything about this time of year is sure to blow you away!

Beginning in Beijing by taking the overnight train into the DPRK, we will get the full experience of seeing this elusive country, all the way from the border to Pyongyang overland. After arriving in Pyongyang we will hit the ground running with sightseeing and of course big celebrations for the most important day on the North Korean calendar.

We can expect mass dances, picnics in the park, fireworks and maybe even a military parade. This is by far the biggest day of the year for the locals, so expect public karaoke and soju galore!

We will then also be heading south to visit the DMZ and the Panmunjom Joint Security Area, as well as visiting a UNESCO site in historic Kaesong.

This tour also gives you the chance to explore the lesser seen east coast of the DPRK, venturing into Hamhung (the second largest city) and Wonsan. This area is rarely seen by tourists and showcases a different, more relaxed side of the country. It’s also an excellent place to have some delicious seafood!

We will then all fly out together back to Beijing on North Korea’s national carrier, Air Koryo!

View the full itinerary


If you'd like to join us for The Day of the Sun, but you don't quite have enough time for this tour, check out our short tour .

Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia Flower Festival, Pyongyang, North Korea (DPRK)
Wonsan, North Korea (DPRK)


If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.


If you'd like to see some more of the DPRK while you're here, check out our possible extensions such as skiing at the Masik Ski resort.

INCLUSIONS:

All meals as specified on the itinerary

Overnight train from Beijing to Pyongyang

Accommodation as per itinerary

Entry fees unless otherwise specified

Local and Saiga guides


SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: EUR 200


EXCLUSIONS:

North Korea visa fee (EUR 60 per person)

Flight from Pyongyang to Beijing

Flights to and from Beijing at the start and end of the tour

Travel insurance

Chinese visa

Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities

Tips and gratuities

Any COVID related expenses


North Korea (DPRK)
Fireworks over the Juche Tower, Pyongyang, North Korea (DPRK)


TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


Bow to the famous Mansudae statues of Eternal President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jung Il

Visit the Palace of the Sun and pay your respects to the bodies lying in state

Poke a toe into South Korea at the DMZ


*A note about pricing: whilst most of our tours are priced and paid for in USD, EUR is king in North Korea, so it makes much more logical sense to price everything in and receive Euros for all our North Korea tours.


Itinerary
Day 1Sun Apr 13
Beijing, overnight train to Dandong
  • At 10:00 we will meet for our pre-tour briefing. This will be our first opportunity to get to know our fellow travellers, and is usually a really fun morning.
  • We will also be using this time to organise all our visas and settle outstanding tour payments.
  • And from here we will be embarking on our journey, going straight from the briefing to the train station to catch the 17:27 train to Dandong.
  • Overnight on the train – this in itself of course being an exciting experience!
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Day 2Mon Apr 14
Arrival in Pyongyang
  • We will arrive in Dandong in the morning, where we will go through Chinese customs. Out of China, we’ll move onto to the North Korean train, and then will of course go through customs on the other side.
  • The train will arrive in Pyongyang at 18:45, where we will be met by our local North Korean guides.
  • We will have an evening stroll in the city before dinner and then checking into the hotel.
  • Overnight at the Yanggakdo International Hotel.
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Day 3Tue Apr 15
Day of the Sun, Pyongyang

Today there will most likely be some form of mass celebration or even a military parade. This means that today we will require flexibility as we work out when and where celebrations are taking place and where we are allowed to go and see them. This could also include mass dances and potential fireworks in the evening! But we’ll just have to play it by ear, and will make sure we get to the best things we can.

  • In the morning, we will visit the Palace of the Sun where the two leaders are lying in state. Visiting the Palace requires a strict formal dress code and anyone not adhering to it will not be allowed to enter. Please see pre tour information for dress codes.
  • From there, we will head into the famous Pyongyang metro, stopping at notable stations along the way.
  • Afterwards we will visit the Arch of Triumph, a 60m high arch (higher than the one in Paris) symbolising victory over the Japanese.
  • We will then head to Mangyongdae native house, the birthplace and home of former President Kim Il Sung.
  • Next, we’ll make our way to Moranbong Park for celebrations with the locals and a picnic lunch.
  • After lunch we will head to the Party Foundation Monument, an impressively large sculpture of the brush, sickle and hammer, which makes up the symbol of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
  • Afterwards we will head to the Juche Tower where you will have the option to go to the top for skyline views of Pyongyang (EUR 5 per person, not included).
  • Time permitting, we will then head to a local beer bar to celebrate with locals before possibly catching a show at the circus or participating in a mass dance!
  • Potential fireworks display from Kim Il sung Square and dinner.
  • Overnight at Yanggakdo International Hotel.
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Day 4Wed Apr 16
Kaesong, DMZ
  • In the morning, we will make the drive down to the Joint Security Area of the DMZ, along the border with South Korea.
  • Here, we will visit the building where the 1953 armistice was signed, as well as potentially enter the UN controlled area which allows you to technically step into the South!
  • Afterwards we will head back to historic Kaesong where will visit the UNESCO heritage site of the Songgyung Academy, which was once a Confucian school and is now a museum.
  • In Kaesong, we will go for a special lunch called pangsanggi, which was usually reserved for royalty. At this restaurant there is also the option to taste a delicacy of Korean dog soup for an additional EUR 5.
  • On the way back to Pyongyang we will visit beautiful and historic Sariwon where we can sample some local makkoli or fermented rice drink!
  • Tonight, we will also have a chance to check out one of Pyongyang’s local bars!
  • Dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Overnight at Yanggakdo International Hotel.
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Day 5Thu Apr 17
Drive to Wonsan
  • If you chose the short tour , today you will catch your flight back to Beijing in the morning, getting into Beijing at approximately 9:30am.
  • For those who continue, we begin the day with a drive across the peninsula to Wonsan, which should take about 4 hours.
  • We will make several stops along the way of course, such as at the Sinpyong Lake rest stop, and the beautiful Ulim waterfall.
  • Arriving in Wonsan, we will explore the city centre and the docks and get a bit of a feel for seaside life in North Korea.
  • We will take a stroll along the boardwalk (EUR 1 per person) to visit Jangdok Island and lighthouse.
  • In the evening, we will enjoy a beautiful seafood dinner at a restaurant next to the harbour.
  • Overnight at the Tomgyong Hotel, with its amazing seaside views of the harbour.
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Day 6Fri Apr 18
Wonsan, Pyongyang
  • In the morning, we will visit the Songdowon International Children’s Camp which is a prime example of a socialist style summer camp.
  • We will then head to the Wonsan Agriculture University, the premier agricultural university in the DPRK, nestled in some breath-taking countryside.
  • We will also visit the Mongyongbong-92, a cruise ship originally used to ferry goods from Japan, and more recently used to transport performers to the  2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
  • In the early afternoon we will make our way back to Pyongyang.
  • Dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Overnight at the Yanggakdo International Hotel.
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Day 7Sat Apr 19
Pyongyang, Beijing, End of Tour
  • In the morning, we will head to Pyongyang International Airport for our 8:35am flight back to Beijing.

  • Arrival into Beijing at approximately 9:30am.

  • End of tour.

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