Pyongyang Language & Study Tour

Friday 10th July

• Meet your Rocky Road guide at 1:30pm at a Beijing hotel near Beijing Railway Station. During this meeting, we’ll go through the tour’s itinerary plus receive your DPRK visas and tickets.
• Train takers depart Beijing Central station at 5:25pm for the 24 hour sleeper ride to Pyongyang.

Saturday 11th July

• Train group arrive at Dandong at 7:00am for Chinese border control then depart for Sinuiju at 10:30am for the extensive border control from the North Korean side
• Flight takers depart 12:55pm from Beijing Airport Terminal 2 on Air Koryo. (Group will meet at Air Koryo check in counter).
• Flight group arrive in Pyongyang to a warm welcome from your Korean guides.
• Train group arrive at 6:45pm to an equally warm welcome and transfer 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 Rakrang Hotel – a newly opened hotel to foreigners on Reunification street.

Sunday 12th July

Morning

• Hit the road for the 3.5 hour drive to Kaesong and the DMZ.
• Koryo Museum – Korea’s first university and now a UNESCO museum of history and culture. 
• 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!

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 Sariwon to  view the city from the mountain top pagoda.
• Try locally brewed Makkoli in a local tea house.
• 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.
• Overnight at the Rakrang Hotel.

Monday 13th July

Morning

• We’ll have our very first class at Kim Chol Ju University of Education where we’ll be introduced to our teachers and take a tour of the entire campus to familiarize ourselves. Each day we will have three one hour classes with Breaks in between each class.

Afternoon

• Lunch on campus
• Extracurricular activities at the University – Taekwondo, dancing, calligraphy, sports and more to be announced and arranged on particular days.
• Monument to the Party Foundation – The hammer sickle and brush built in 1995.
• 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).
• Dinner at the Famous Duck BBQ restaurant.
• Overnight at the Rakrang Hotel.

Tuesday 14th July

Morning

• Korean classes at the university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• 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.
• Dinner at a restaurant to sample Pyongyang Cold Noodles or a traditional Korean dish, Bibimbap.
• Overnight at Rakrang Hotel

Wednesday 15th July

Morning

• Class at the university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• 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.
• Dinner
• Overnight at the Rakrang Hotel

Thursday 16th July

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Visit Manyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace- the top extra curricular center in the city and host to a fabulous performance. 
• Dinner at a local restaurant
• Overnight in the Rakrang Hotel

Friday 17th July – Weekend trip to Masik Resort located on the east coast near Wonsan.

• Drive three hours to Maskiryong
• Stopping on the way at Sinphyong Lagoon for refreshments
• Check into Masik Resort with a tour of the high class facilities which includes Sauna, swimming, gym, billiards, massage, hiking, ping pong and outdoor sports.
• Dinner and overnight at the Masikryong Ski resort

Saturday 18th July

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel then some leisure time. Quick chance to hike in the mountains of Masik pass
• Drive out to Wonsan city on the East Coast.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Seafood restaurant in Wonsan.
• Visit the Chonsam Co-operative farm, for an insight into local farm life.
• Songdowon Schoolchildren’s Camp- the most famous schoolchildren’s camp in the country.
• Walk along the pier at sunset to Jangdok Islet and sample some local BBQ seafood (Extra Charge)
• Dinner and overnight at the Tongmyong Hotel

Sunday 19th July

Morning

• Hit the beach! Join the locals to beat the heat and swim, sail, play beach volleyball.

Afternoon

• Lunch- Korean style BBQ at the beach
• Take a walk around Wonsan square and see the Mangyongbyong 2 which once ferried Passengers between Wonsan and Japan.
• Drop in at the local art gallery (There are also great works for sale!)
• Drive back to Pyongyang Stopping at Ulim Waterfall on the way for a leg stretch and to see the stunning falls.
• Dinner and overnight at the Rakrang Hotel

Monday 20th July

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Visit the new Science and Technology Park – a brand new complex which has housed all the latest scientific and warfare technology and presented it in an entertaining & interactive way.
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Switch to a new hotel – the Chongnyon Hotel. Famous for it’s outdoor swimming pool & Karaoke!

Tuesday 21st July

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• 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!
• Dinner
• Overnight at Chongnyon Hotel

Wednesday 22nd July

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• 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 at a local restaurant
• Overnight at the Chongnyon Hotel

Thursday 23rd July

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Visit Mansudae Art Studio, This is where the country’s most important art work and statues are created. We will also get to meet some of the local artists too.
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Overnight in the Chongnyon Hotel

Friday 24th July

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Head up to the beautiful Mt Myohyang Region
• Hiking in the Mt Myohyang Nature reserve for incredible views.
• Dinner in Hyangsan Town and overnight.

Saturday 25th July 

• Visit the famous International Friendship Exhibition – two large gift houses holding the gifts presented to both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il from people, governments and institutions all over the world.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Hyangsan Hotel – a five star deluxe hotel situated between the mountain ranges.
• Drive back to Pyongyang
• Visit Moranbong hill to dance, party and mingle with the locals as they celebrate the biggest holiday of the year!
• Special celebratory events (optional: approx €20) – Yet to be confirmed but we will take part in any holiday events that are possible for tourists to attend. 
• Expected mass dance for Victory Day, join in or just watch for fantastic photography opportunities!
• Stop by Mansugyo Beer Bar to join the locals for refreshments
• Dinner at Duck BBQ restaurant
• Join the locals on Kim Il Sung Square to watch the fireworks
• Overnight at the Rakrang hotel

Sunday 26th July

Morning

• Kumsusan Palace of the Sun- The mausoleum for the Great Leader President Kim Il Sung and the Dear Leader Kim Jong Il.
• Revolutionary Martyry’s Cemetery – The resting place of the greatest of the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters each grave features a bronze bust of the hero laid to rest within.

Afternoon

• Picnic lunch along the way back to Pyongyang
• Munsu Water Park. This place has it all - indoor pools, amazing water slides,  cafes, shops, beer bars, table tennis, billiards, massage, you name it. (Extra charge)
• Dinner at a local restaurant
• Switch to another hotel – Changwangsan Hotel. This has a newly renovated indoor swimming pool with a gym.

Monday 27th July

Morning

• Group A flight takers depart Pyongyang at 9:00am and arrive in Beijing at 9:55am local time.
• Group A train members departs 10:25am and arrives into Beijing Railway Station on Tuesday 30th July at 9:00am
• Group B continue with class at the university.

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• The Three Revolutions Exhibition Hall- learn about a variety of the North Korea’s achievements in the fields of technology, ideology and culture.
• Dinner at the Famous Duck BBQ restaurant.
• Overnight at the Changwangsan Hotel.

Tuesday 28th July

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Visit Kwanbok department store. Here we can shop with the locals and have access to the local North Korean currency!
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Overnight at Changwangsan Hotel

Wednesday 29th July

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Visit a North Korean Film Studio –  We can tour the film sets and try on some costumes! 
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Overnight at the Changwangsan Hotel

Thursday 30th July

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Visit the Pyongyang Center for Economics and Culture for the Deaf and Blind. This place is engaged in important work such as creating sign language subtitles for educational broadcasts on both TV and the intranet as well as braille transliteration of works for the blind.
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Overnight in the Changwangsan Hotel

Friday 31st July

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Drive up to Pyongsong located 45 minutes north of Pyongyang
• Visit Kim Jong Suk Middle School Number 1 – here you can meet English students and we encourage you to speak and even teach a quick class!
• Dinner and overnight at the Jangsusan Hotel

Saturday 1st August

• Drive to Nampo City (2 hours) – A directly Administered Port City on the West Coast.
• Chollima Steel Complex – One of  North Korea’s most famous industrial sites, named after the Chollima movement it helped lead.
• Kangso Mineral water factory.
• Lunch at the Hangu Harbour Hotel
• Spend the afternoon chilling with locals on Nampo Beach.
• Dinner and overnight at the famed Ryonggang Hot Spa resort with a Mineral spa bath in each room!

Sunday 2nd August

Morning

• West Sea Barrage – A terrific example of socialist construction, the barrage was built to control the rising Taedong river and produce fertile farmland.
• Chongsan Co-operative farm  - a great example of the DPRK farm model.

Afternoon

• Picnic lunch Mt Ryangak – the highest mountain near Pyongyang
• Gentle hiking on Mt Ryangak
• Drive back to Pyongyang.
• Dinner
• Switch to a different hotel in Pyongyang – Ryanggang Hotel. 

Monday 3rd August

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Kim Jong Suk Textile factory- One of the top textile mills in Pyongyang you can tour the factory and the facilities and dormitories provided to the workers who live on site.
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Overnight at the Ryanggang Hotel.

Tuesday 4th August

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Pyongyang Gold Lane Bowling Alley – One of the most popular spots for young people to hang out, the alley also has video games and billiards. (Extra charge for these activities)
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Overnight at Ryanggang Hotel

Wednesday 5th August

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Watch a movie at the local Taedongmun Cinema House! A rare privilege for tourists.
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Overnight at the Ryanggang Hotel

Thursday 6th August

Morning

• Class at university

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Pyongyang Zoo and Natural History Museum.
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Overnight in the Ryanggang Hotel

Friday 7th August

Morning

• Class at Kim Chol Ju University

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Extracurricular activities at the University
• Special farewell party organised with teachers to celebrate the completion of the study program!
• Dinner celebration
• Overnight at the Ryanggang Hotel

Saturday 8th August

• Group B flight takers depart Pyongyang at 9:00am and arrive into Beijing 9:55am local time
• Group B train members depart Pyongyang 10:25am

Sunday 9th August

• Train members arrive in Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am for group farewell.