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Sightseeing North Korea Style - Tour Number One

An elderly lady on a treadmill bursting spontaneously into a nationalistic song and a library stocked only with plain-backed books dedicated to the teachings of one man - welcome to North Korea.

They all featured on the itinerary arranged by the organising committee to show Sky News the highlights of the capital, Pyongyang.

The rare, officially sanctioned glimpse into life in the secretive state comes as the country prepares lavish celebrations and a military parade this weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of the nation's ruling party.

First stop on the state-organised tour was Pyongyang Middle School Number One.

The best in the capital, according to the government guides and therefore, probably the best in North Korea.

Our hosts wouldn’t show us anything else.

In a classroom on the tenth floor, the school band played and sang loudly. They performed various songs praising their leaders.

One was called Our Grateful Sun, Kim Jong-Un.

The little dance routines and choreography were perfect. Not a foot or an arm out of place.

The deputy headteacher then hosted a tour around the classrooms to watch students learning English, Russian and science.

Next on the itinerary was an old people's home.

Situated just outside the capital, it was built only five months after the leader, Mr Kim, personally approved the site.

We followed the exact same tour around the home as he did, apparently.

Our guide took in the doctor's surgery, the gym, the cinema room, game room, dance studio, bedrooms and open baths.

An elderly lady on a treadmill, wearing a regulation tracksuit, spontaneously serenaded me with a nationalistic song.

That’s never happened before.

In the library, as four old women stared into the books on their laps, seemingly engrossed, the librarian explained the literature available.

Some 101 volumes of plain green books dedicated to the teachings of Kim Il-Sung, the founder of North Korea and the current leader's grandfather.

As we were driven back into Pyongyang to the hotel, large groups of people, mainly students, were practising routines in open spaces.

A request to get out and film was refused because stopping the bus would land the driver with a police fine.

As dusk began to settle over the city, people could be seen heading home, clutching bouquets of pink and purple plastic flowers that they will use on Saturday in synchronised homage to their young leader.

The military parade will be a message to the rest of the world and to the North Korean people - that Mr Kim has control and is powerful.

North Korea is for the briefest of moments opening its doors to the outside world.

If the day was a snatched insight into what the view will be, then order, prosperity and a mantra of "nothing to envy" is what lies ahead.

:: Alistair Bunkall is reporting under the supervision of the North Korean government.