JULY 2016 SUMMER TOUR OVERVIEW & ITINERARY

LONG TOUR overview: Beijing > > Kaesong > DMZ > Pyongyang > Wonsan > Hamhung > Pyongyang > Beijing SHORT TOUR overview:Beijing > Pyongyang > Kaesong > DMZ > Pyongyang > Beijing

Long Tour: July 1st – July 8th. 7 nights / 8 days in Short Tour: July 1st – July 5th. 4 nights / 5 days in North Korea Friday the 1st of July 9 AM (Beijing time) – A Tongil Tours staff member will be ready to meet participants in Beijing International Airport. Assemble at Koryo Air flight counter in Beijing International Airport terminal 2 for quick briefing session before taking Air Koryo flight JS 152 to Pyongyang at 12:00 midday. 12:00 midday – (Beijing time) – Estimated flight take off time. Flight time – approx. two hours. 2:30PM – (Pyongyang time, half an hour later than Beijing time) – Estimated time of arrival in Pyongyang. PM – Meet our Korean guides at Sunan International Airport. Short drive to Pyongyang, stopping off for a quick look at Pyongyang’s Arch Of Triumph. Completed in 1982 and larger than the one in Paris, the Arch was built to commemorate Kim Il Sung’s personal struggle against Japanese colonial rule. We’ll then view the magnificent Pyongyang Circus. The ticket is a €20 euro (approx. $30 AUD) out of pocket expense to be paid in cash on the day in euros, Chinese yuan (approx. 150 yuan), or US dollars (approx. $25). Check in to Yanggak Island International Hotel in Pyongyang. Dinner. Guests now have free time to use any of the entertainment facilities in the hotel (pool/billiards room, karoake, bowling alley, shop etc.) or retire early for the night.

Saturday the 2nd of July AM – After breakfast, we will begin the two-hour drive to Kaesong and the DMZ. We will pass through Kaesong and head straight to the DMZ, border between the North and South. At the DMZ we will visit the armistice talks hall, the armistice signing hall and Panmunjom Peace Village from the northern side. At Panmunjom Peace Village we will view the south from metres away at the balcony of Panmun Pavilion. Then, provided there isn’t a tour group from the south visiting at the same time who has booked the room (note that this is rare but does happen sometimes), we will be able to get right up to the border with South Korea, even technically crossing it in one of the negotiation huts which lie between the northern and southern sides of the compound and are bisected by the border. After driving back to Kaesong, we will enjoy a lunch consisting of the local Kaesong specialty, a varied selection of dishes served in small bowls, which was once served to the merchants in dynastic Korea who would pass through Kaesong on their way to . PM – After lunch we will visit the Koryo History Museum. This museum is dedicated to Kaesong’s past as capital of Korea. Exhibits are housed in Kaesong’s former Confucian Academy (Songgyungwan). Next, a quick visit to the postcard and stamp shop across the road- a good place for souvenirs. Postcards and stamps purchased here can be sent internationally once we return to Pyongyang. We will stop off at Sonjuk Bridge, a national monument built in 1290, well-known for being the place where the famous statesman Jong Mong Ju was assasinated in 1392 by the son of the second King of the Choson dynasty. Next we will visit the beautiful Pakyon Waterfall. Following this, we will visit the Tomb of King Kongmin. Situated on the top of a hill, it offers a splendid view of the countryside. Drive back to Kaesong city. Dinner will consist of a traditional Kaesong-style meal. Overnight in the Minsok (folk) Hotel in Kaesong.

Sunday the 3rd of July AM – After breakfast, we will walk through the old town of Kaesong up to the hill that overlooks the city. Here, the statue of Kim Il Sung is located and we will be able to enjoy a magnificent view of the old town. We will then drive back to Pyongyang. PM – We will enjoy lunch at Changjon Street, one of Pyongyang’s brand new (built in 2012) high-rise residential districts. After lunch we will visit a local apartment at the Changjon Street Residential Complex, and enjoy a short stroll down Changjon Street. We’ll walk to the nearby Park, a beautiful park located in central Pyongyang. Here, we’ll mix with the picnickers and take in the view from the pavilion at the top of the hill. We’ll then visit the People’s Outdoor Ice Skating Rink, and adjacent Skate Park in East Pyongyang, a good opportunity to make some local friends. To ice skate or roller blade here will require a $5 USD (approx. $7 AUD) out of pocket expense to be paid in cash on the day in US dollars, Chinese yuan (approx. 30 yuan), or euros (approx. €4). Next, we’ll go for a little walk down Kwangbok Street, ending up at the bustling Kwangbok Street Shopping Complex. Here, travellers will be able to exchange foreign currency (euros, USD, Chinese yuan and Japanese yen), for the local Korean won, and shop from a range of locally produced and imported products. Dinner. After dinner, a visit to Kaeson Youth Funfair. To take each of the adrenalin racing rides on offer is a €20 euro (approx. $30 AUD) out of pocket expense to be paid in cash on the day in euros, Chinese yuan (approx. 150 yuan), or US dollars (approx. $25). Entry without going on the rides will cost approximately €5 euro (approx. $8 AUD), to be paid in cash on the day in euros, Chinese yuan (approx. 40 yuan), or US dollars (approx. $6). Overnight at the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang.

Monday the 4th of July AM – After breakfast in the hotel, we will visit the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lie in state. We will view exhibits dedicated to their lives and take a group photo in front of the building. Next is a drive to Mangyongdae on the outskirts of Pyongyang. Here we will visit the birthplace of Kim Il Sung. We will then visit the Mansudae Monument, which consists of two large statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il flanked by sculptures depicting the Korean people’s experiences during Japanese colonialism and the Korean War. We will then take a look at the nearby Supreme People’s Assembly, North Korea’s parliament. Lunch. PM – We will then visit a local Middle or High School, where we will be given a tour of the grounds and then drop in on an English lesson where we will be able to chat and interact with the students. We will then visit the Pyongyang Metro, deepest in the world. First built during the 60s and 70s, it displays a similar grand style to its predecessor in Moscow, some of the stops featuring elaborate murals and mosaics as well as ornate pillars and chandeliers. This visit will include a ride with the locals for several stops in one of the train carriages. We will next visit the Juche Tower, in East Pyongyang on the banks of the Taedong River. We will observe the exterior of the tower from the base before stepping inside to have a look at the interior and then taking the elevator to the top for a spectacular view of Pyongyang. Those wishing to take the elevator to the top will need to purchase a ticket, a €5 euro (approx. $8 AUD) out of pocket expense to be paid in cash on the day in euros, Chinese yuan (approx. 40 yuan), or US dollars (approx. $6). After that, we’ll go for a stroll by the Taedong River, crossing Okryu Bridge into central Pyongyang. We’ll end our walk in Kim Il Sung Square and visit the adjacent National Art Gallery, which exhibits both ancient and contemporary Korean art. Dinner. After that, we’ll head over to Rakwon Department Store’s microbrewery for some locally brewed beer. Micro-brewed beer is an out of pocket expense of €2 euro (approx. $3) per pint, to be paid in cash on the day in euros, Chinese yuan (approx. 15 yuan), or US dollars (approx $2 US dollars). Overnight at the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang.

Tuesday the 5th of July (short tour participants) AM – After breakfast, we drive to Sunan airport for Air Koryo JS 151 back to Beijing. 9AM (Pyongyang time) – Estimated departure time. Flight time – approximately two hours. 10:30PM (Beijing time, half an hour earlier than Pyongyang time) – Estimated arrival time. We conclude our journey in Beijing capital Airport, terminal 2. (long tour participants continue their tour) After breakfast, we will drive from Pyongyang to Wonsan city on the east coast of Korea in Kangwon Province (3.5 hours). Upon arrival in Wonsan we will have lunch and then visit the city’s central square and fishing docks. Later in the afternoon we will spend time mingling with locals on Wonsan’s public beach. We will then visit Wonsan Agricultural Unversity for a tour of the grounds. We will also have the opportunity to play a pick-up soccer match with the students, before continuing on to Hamhung city (2.5 hours), the capital of South Hamgyong Province and the second most populous city in the DPRK. Upon arrival in Hamhung we will visit the bronze statue of President Kim Il Sung. Overnight at the Sinhungsan Hotel.

Wednesday the 6th of July After breakfast, we visit the Hamhung Grand Theatre at the city’s central square before driving to Tongbong County to visit a cooperative farm. We then Drive to Hungnam industrial district, visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Factory, and continue on to Majon port on the east coast of Korea. In the late afternoon, we will return to Wonsan. In Wonsan, we will visit the Songdowon Schoolchildren’s Summer Camp, and a local art gallery. Overnight at the Dongmyong Hotel. Thursday the 7th of July AM – After breakfast, we drive back to Pyongyang. Lunch in Pyongyang. PM – Next we will visit Kim Il Sung University, the DPRK’s (North Korea’s) most prestigious university for a tour of the grounds and facilities. This tour will include an opportunity to see a local apartment from the inside, at the apartment complex for Kim Il Sung University staff adjacent to the university. Then we’ll visit the newly-renovated (in late 2015) Pyongyang Central Zoo. We’ll then enjoy coffee and a snack at the Viennese Coffee Shop, an Austria-Korea joint venture. We’ll then view an amazingly skilled performance at Pyongyang Schoolchildren’s Palace. Dinner. Overnight at the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang.

Friday the 8th of July AM – After breakfast, we drive to Sunan airport for Air Koryo JS151 back to Beijing. 9:00AM (Pyongyang time) – Estimated departure time. Flight time – approx. two hours. 10:30AM (Beijing time, half an hour earlier than Pyongyang time) – Estimated arrival time. We conclude our journey in Beijing capital Airport, terminal 2.

Optional reading list With all of our tours, we send our participants an optional reading list (consisting mostly of items either free for view on the internet, or that will be shared with participants) to assist travellers in contextualising their North Korea travel experience. This is sent to travellers after a booking has been finalised.

Optional academic briefing As specialists in educational tourism to the DPRK, we firmly believe in delivering an experience that is not only extremely fun, but also allows our travellers to learn a little about the Korean peninsula, its northern half in particular. We can arrange for world-renowned academic experts in North Korean studies to conduct a 90 minute academic seminar over Skype. This is optional, and requires an additional fee of A$50 / €35 euro / $40 USD per person.

Pre-departure email Before departure, we will send out a pre-departure email with general information to note for the trip such as what to pack, which power outlets will be used and so on.

Beijing Pre-departure Briefing To ensure the best possible experience for all involved, we’ll have a quick briefing upon meeting in the airport or train station in Beijing to go through some important points relating to the tour and allow an opportunity for any final questions before setting off.

Included in the tour fee: + Round trip air ticket from Beijing to Pyongyang (Pyongyang-Beijing return by train surcharge – A$100 – €65 euro – $70USD) + DPRK visa fees and handling + Twin room lodging and accommodation in the DPRK (single room surcharge- €35 euro – $55AUD – $40USD a night) + Almost all meals in the DPRK + All transportation in the DPRK + Local English-speaking DPRK guides + Bilingual Western academic guide from Tongil Tours + Local driver + Most admission fees

Not included in the tour fee: – Round-trip airfare to Beijing from home country – Beijing hotel accommodations – Chinese visa fees and processing (if necessary) – Travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance (required) – Gifts, souvenirs, snacks, hotel services, miscellaneous purchases, – Extra drinks during meals (one complimentary beer and bottled water included with most meals) – Out of pocket expenses (see below)

Out of pocket expenses These expenses are not included in the tour fee. It will be necessary to bring a little extra in cash – either Chinese yuan, Euros, or US dollars, into North Korea to pay for these expenses on the day. Note that some prices may be approximate.

Kaeson Youth Funfair ticket, €20 euro / 150 Chinese yuan / $25 USD (approx. $30 AUD). Entry without going on the rides, €5 euro / 40 Chinese yuan/ $6 USD (approx. $8 AUD). Tips for the guides and driver (in total from each traveller) – €40 euro/ 300 Chinese yuan / $50 USD (approx. $65 AUD). Skate park fee (for those wishing to skate) – €4 euro / 30 Chinese yuan / $5 USD (approx. $7 AUD) Ice-skating rink fee (for those wishing to ice skate) – €4 euro / 30 Chinese yuan / $5 USD (approx. $7 AUD) Juche Tower elevator ticket (for those wishing to see the view at the top), €5 euro / 40 yuan / $6 USD (approx. $8 AUD) Micro-brewed beer (a pint) – €2 euro / 15 Chinese yuan / $2 US dollars (approx. $3) Possibility for a visit to a café, Italian, hamburger, or other special restaurant – €7- €14 euro/ 50 – 100 Chinese yuan / $8- $16 USD (approx $11-$22 AUD) Pyongyang Circus ticket – €20 euro / 150 Chinese yuan / $25 USD (approx. $30 AUD) And of course, bring along some extra cash for souvenirs and snacks. We’d say at least about €70 euro / 500 Chinese yuan / $80 USD (approx. $110)

NOTE: itineraries are sometimes subject to minor changes due to circumstances beyond our control. Also, out of pocket expenses listed may be subject to minor changes due to fluctuations in exchange rates and other factors.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected] tongiltours.com Please check website for pricing.

2016-3-27