Day 1 Helsinki – Vladivostok flight
We meet at Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The flight from Helsinki to Vladivostok via Moscow departs at 11.20. Connecting flight from Moscow at 15.20.
Day 2 Sunny and relaxed Vladivostok (A)
The plane lands in Vladivostok at 06.40 local time. Transfer to Primorye*** hotel.
After relaxing, we will take a guided tour of the interesting sights of legendary Vladivostok for about two hours. The city is a bustling, modern city with a Western European style. We visit the city’s historic fortress and the stunning Orlinoe Gnezdo lookout. The city has always been very international because of its location. Shipping and trade are visible in the streetscape. Vladivostok is known as the San Francisco of Russia.
Day 3 Vladivostok – Pyongyang (A,L,I)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Flight from Vladivostok to Pyongyang with Air Koryo from 12.20 – 13.30. Upon arrival in Pyongyang, we meet our guides and transfer to the city. We will start our exploration of North Korea with a walk along the Taedong River. We will start our journey from Ryonwang Pavilion, a beautiful viewpoint in Pyongyang.
Our first day’s sightseeing includes the Pyongyang Clock, one of North Korea’s national treasures. Casting of the current bell began in June 1726 and was completed in September that year, replacing its predecessor which was destroyed by fire in 1714. The bell used to be rung to announce invasions, natural disasters, the start of the New Year and other major events.
Our second destination is Taedong Gate. This western gate of the city of Pyongyang was built in the 500s to protect the inner fortress on the Taedong River. The structure that remains of the gate today dates back to 1635.
From the gate we continue to Kim Il-Sung Square, a large town square in the central district of Pyongyang. It takes its name from the country’s founding leader. Based on a city plan, the square was built in 1954 after the destruction of the capital in the Korean War. The opening ceremony was held in August of the same year. The plaza is located at the foot of Mount Namsa, on the western bank of the Teadong River, directly opposite the Juche Tower, which is on the other side of the river. Kim Il-sung Square is the largest square in the world, covering about 75,000 square metres and accommodating over 100,000 people. The square is of great cultural importance, as it is a regular venue for events such as military parades. The square is also perhaps North Korea’s best-known landmark to Westerners, as it features very often in the media and news about the country. The buildings surrounding the square are decorated with portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.
We will stay at the Yanggakdo International Hotel, located on Yanggak Island on the Taedong River and the first luxury hotel in North Korea. The hotel’s entertainment facilities include a bowling alley, swimming pool, sauna and billiard room.
Day 4 City tour of Pyongyang (A, L, I)
We start our tour at Kim Il-sung Square, familiar from yesterday, followed by Mansudae Fountain Park. The park consists of several beautifully designed fountains dedicated to the glory of Kim Il-sung. The park opened in 1976 and is located near Mansu Mountain in the heart of Pyongyang. One of the largest fountains in Mansuda sprays its water up to 80 metres high and between the nozzles are white statues of women dancing. The park is also a common meeting place and a popular backdrop for photographs.
Next, we head to the Pyongyang Central Library in the Grand People´s Study House. The library is in the traditional Korean style and was built to celebrate the 70th birthday of Kim Il-Sung.
Before lunch on the river cruise ship, we visit the Juche Tower (more formally known as the Tower of the Juche Ideology), named after the Juche ideology, which was introduced to the country by its first leader Kim Il-Sung. Juche means roughly the same as self-sufficiency and is the country’s official way of thinking.
After eating, we visit a local bookshop and travel by metro, which runs on average 110 metres below ground level, making it the deepest metro in the world. We travel six stations towards the Pyongyang Arch of Triumph, the second largest arch in the world. It is inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This North Korean version was built to honour and celebrate President Kim Il-Sung’s role in the military resistance to Korean independence. The arch was unveiled on the occasion of Kim Il-Sung’s 70th birthday and its 25,500 white granite blocks represent the days of his life up to that point.
Before dinner, we visit the Mangyongdae Native House, the birthplace of Kim Il-sung. Overnight at the same hotel.
Day 5 Kaesong (A, L, I)
Today we drive to Kaesong town, where part of the programme includes a visit to Panmunjom village. This deserted village is located in the DMZ, a strip of land on the Korean peninsula. This demilitarised zone divides the peninsula into two parts. On the same trip, we will also visit the Sungkyunkwan University Museum, which has a collection of over 11,000 exhibits. Before returning to Pyongyang, we will visit the mausoleums of Kings Wang Got and GyongHyo.
On our return to Pyongyang, we will visit the Reunification Tower and then head to the Pyongyang Duck Barbeque for a farewell dinner. We will stay overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel.
Day 6 Departure for Beijing (A)
We travel to Beijing by train, leaving Pyongyang at 9.50 am and arriving in Beijing at 8.30 am the following day (NOTE: times are local times).
Day 7 Arrival in Beijing
We arrive in Beijing at 08.30 at the main railway station. Transfer from the train station to the hotel (approx. 1 km).
Hotel rooms are available at 14.00. Free time. In Beijing, the streets are clean, the subway is easy to use and the food is heavenly. Shared subway ride and visit to Tian’anmen Square followed by a shared Peking Duck dinner (extra charge). Accommodation at the Howard Johnson Paragon**** hotel in a shared 2-bed room with breakfast.
Day 8 Beijing – self-guided tour (A)
A full day is reserved for self-guided tours of Beijing. You can visit the famous Silk Market or the Mausoleum of Mao Tse-tung. Beijing has many large parks where locals spend their time. In the early mornings, the park is the place to be for Taiji. Often there are different dances practised in the park for some kind of performance. Bring your playing cards and challenge your grandparents to a game of darts!
Day 9 Flight Beijing – Helsinki (A)
Breakfast at the hotel. At 07.30am transfer to the airport for the 10.45am Beijing-Helsinki flight. Arrival at Helsinki-Vantaa airport at 14.15.
