May Day Delegation

In the world of socialism, May 1st is known as the “International Workers’ Day“, “Labour Day” or “May Day”. The event, dating back to 1886, serves as a celebration of international working class solidarity. The day is celebrated worldwide, not least including North Korea. Thus, our May Day Delegation gives you the opportunity to visit the country during this special occasion and discover the role it plays in North Korea’s collectivist culture.

Our premium quality program offers a carefully blended mix of educational, fun and unique content. Starting from Beijing, we’ll take the overnight train and make our way to Pyongyang, where we will stay at the famous Yanggakdo International hotel. Our itinerary will give the participant optimum opportunities to interact with ordinary North Koreans including the chance to engage in a wide range of sporting activities at the Mt Taesong Amusement Park, as well joining in a mass dance later on! To understand North Korea’s association with May Day, we’ll be dropping by a number of revolutionary sites including the Worker’s Party Monument, the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, Juche Tower and the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun Mausoleum, described as “the most sacred place in North Korea”.

In addition, we’ll be travelling out of Pyongyang too, the holiday emphasis doesn’t stop you getting a rounded view of the country! Our trip will take us southwards to Kaesong, the historic city adjacent to South Korea. Here we can discover how once a tense area is now changing to facilitate a growing peace between the two Koreas, including an increasingly eased DMZ, Panmunjom village and the joint security area. A whip around the historical Koryo museum is also amongst the highlights, as well as a trip to the equally historic city of Sariwon. For Korean culture and history lovers, there’s plenty to be had!

For 945 euros this package promises quality, insight and real experience of the DPRK. Payment is possible through either paypal or international bank transfer, beginning with a 30% deposit and the rest being brought on the day of the tour. For an additional fee, we can process your North Korean visa too, a straightforwards and uncomplicated process! Either way, get ready for a working class adventure… May Day, May Day! We’re going to North Korea!

Monday 27th April

• Meet your Visit North Korea guide and the rest of the group at 1:30pm at the Beijing Zhong Gu Hotel next to Beijing Railway Station. During this meeting, we’ll overview the trip itinerary, hand out DPRK visas and train tickets, as well as answer any questions you might have about the trip
• Unless you have opted for an Air Koryo flight, you'll be departing Beijing Central station at 5:25pm for the 24 hour sleeper ride to Pyongyang.

Tuesday 28th April

• Those on the overnight train will arrive at Dandong at 7am. You'll have a couple of hours to grab lunch before heading back into the station for Chinese customs and exit.
• The train for Pyongyang will depart at 10am
• Those flying to the DPRK will depart from Beijing Airport Terminal 2 on Air Koryo, we will meet at the airport check in counter!
• Those on the train will arrive at Pyongyang in the evening at 6.45 where the guides will meet you on the platform.
• We will commence our stay in the DPRK with dinner at a local restaurant on Ryomyong Street, a district opened in 2017 by Kim Jong un
• After dinner, we will check into the Sosan hotel

Wednesday 29th April

• Today is our Kaesong and DMZ day! A very early start as we've got a lot of ground to cover. Our first stop is the Koryo Museum- An ancient centre of learning at the heart of the ancient Koryo Dynasty. See old Korean artifacts, clothing, coinage and weaponry!
• Outside of the museum sits the Korea stamp stop! Stock up on your stamps, postcards, posters and other memorabilia here!
• Now it's time for the DMZ. First, we'll stop the Panmunjom Gift shop, where you will have another chance to buy hand painted propaganda posters and other assortments
• Our soldier guide, a real KPA officer, will then lead us into the DMZ. He will show us around Panmunjom village where the Armistice talks were held, as well as the signed document itself!
• Next he will take us through to the Joint Security Area, where North Korean, South Korean and American soldiers famously stand face off! Now, it is becoming a centre of peace and subsequently, relaxed in contrast to past times, with Kim Jong un and Trump meeting here in 2019!

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Tongil Restaurant in Kaesong- try our traditional Korean Pansangi- a series of assorted dishes served in bronze bowls. (Optional extras- If you're feeling daring, there is Dog Soup at 5 euro! Or, you can even buy a share a ginseng chicken, apparently it's good for health
• We'll srop by Sariwon City (Capital of North Hwanghae province) to walk in the historic folklore park. We'll also have the chance to view the city from the mountaintop pagoda.
• Re-entering Pyongyang, we will stop at the  the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, otherwise known as "the Arch of Reunification"- longing for the day Korea is reunified
• Dinner at the Duck BBQ restaurant
• Back to the hotel

Thursday 30th April

• We'll start the morning with a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, described as the "most sacred place in North Korea"- the palace is the final resting place of former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong il. Formal attire is required for this site, as well as respectful behaviour.
• After the Palace we'll visit the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, which commemorates the guerrilla struggle against Japan in the 1930s, as well as the wife of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong suk

Afternoon

• Delicious Korean hotpot for lunch!
• After lunch it's time to visit the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum – as North Korea tell their own story of the conflict between 1950-1953, you can see captured American weapons and vehicles, displays and dioramas from famous battles and much more!
• Outside the museum, all aboard the USS Pueblo – the only US Naval Vessel held captured by another country, seized off the coast of Wonsan in 1968!
• Next we'll take a walk around Kim Il Sung Square – the central square of Pyongyang city, famously the centre of all big events in the country
• From here we'll walk to the local foreign language bookstore. You can purchase here all kinds of texts, newspapers souvenirs and other memorabilia!
• Fancy some shopping? We'll next be going to the Kwangbok department store, Pyongyang's largest and most popular supermarket. It is home to exclusive North Korean brands, where you can use real local korean won currency!
• We'll then head for a special performance at the School Children's Palace, where we also see children being taught in class
• Dinner at the KITC No.1 Restaurant. You can try famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles, Raenngmyeon, or the delicious traditional Korean rice dish, Bibimbap.
• Back to the Hotel

May 1st: May Day

• To start the day we'll head to Mansudae Fountain park where we can see mosaic pictures of President Kim Il Sung and the leader Kim Jong Il.
• We'll then head up to the nearby Mansudae Grand Hill Monument – the two large bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il overlooking the city. Here we will be kindly asked to pay our respects, flowers are optional if you wish.
• Afterwards, we go to Mt Taesong Amusement Park – commemorate the May Day the holiday with locals, join in sports and dancing –The local theme park also has plenty of rides for you to try out too!

Afternoon

• Well have at the Chicken Restaurant on Moran Hill- delicious KFC: Korean Fried Chicken
• As we explore the May Day atmosphere, we'll walk around Moranbong park to drink, dance and celebrate the holiday with the locals.
• Special events (optional: approx 20 euros) –These may include a parade, a circus performance, and possibly some other surprises.
• Afterwards it's time for a ride on the Pyongyang Metro! We'll be going 6 stops before heading out to the Arch of Triumph- Like that in Paris, but bigger! This magnificent structure celebrates the victory over Japan and the liberation of Korea
• Now for Juche Tower- This stone column monument is the tallest of its kind in the world. It represents the eternally burning flame of the Juche ideology (Optional extra 5 euro to go to the top and see a panaromic view of all Pyongyang!
• We'll wrap up the day with a unique banquet dinner, whilst being treated to an extraordinary Korean performance
• Back to the hotel

May 2nd: Departure

• Those flying out will depart Pyongyang at 9:00am on Air Koryo, arriving in Beijing at 9:55am local time.
• For those taking the train, we will depart at 10:25am for Beijing. The train will head back to Sinuiju for customs and then back into Dandong, before heading onwards overnight to China's capital, formally ending the tour on May 3rd.

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