Major Tourist Attractions In Pyongyang

Glorifying the Juche (`Self Reliance’) ideology of the Communist Leader Kim Il –Sung, the Tower of the Juche Idea was constructed on the bank of the Taedong River in 1982, to mark the 70th birthday of the `Great Leader’, Kim Il-Sung.  It’s one of Pyongyang’s most famous sights, and on Sundays, national holidays, or when an important dignitary is in town, 150 mt high fountains- supposedly the tallest in the world- are played in the nearby Taedong River.

The tower, which is all of 150 mt tall, is surmounted by a torch (another 20 mt high), and is surrounded by about seven group sculptures signifying the progress of communism. 70 steps- the number of years Kim Il-Sung had lived till the building of the monument- lead up to the tower, and it’s covered with 25,500  granite tiles- the number of days he had lived. 

A North Korean equivalent of Paris’ famous monument, the Arch of Triumph, like the Tower of the Juche Idea, was also constructed in 1982, on the occasion of the 70th birthday of Kim Il-Sung. The Arch marks Kim Il-Sung’s `victory’ over the anti-communist forces and is in commemoration of the leader’s return to Pyongyang after `rescuing’ the Fatherland from foreign forces. The Arch is made totally of granite- more than 15,000 individual pieces- and towers to a height of 60 mt. Like the Tower of the Juche Idea, it too is one of the tourist spots you will almost certainly end up visiting in Pyongyang.

Mansu Hill stands in the centre of Pyongyang, and has two of Pyongyang’s important tourist sights: the Chollima Statue, an imposing bronze statue of a winged horse- a Pegasus- representing the progressive spirit of North Korea, and the Grand Monument. The latter includes a bronze statue of Kim Il-Sung that is much revered by the local populace. Round about are more monuments and museums, including the Korean Revolution Museum, all of them dedicated to the Communist regime in the DPRK, and the glorification of Kim Il-Sung. It is impressive, and if you’re going to visit Mansu Hill, make it a point to be suitably attired and equipped: formal clothes (a suit is best), and flowers to place at the statue of Kim Il-Sung. It’s expected, including the flowers. 

 The Chilsong and Taedong Gates are two of the original city gates of old Pyongyang; the Buddhist temple of Bo Hyon Sa; and the many gardens and parks of the city (they’re at their best during spring, when the city is full of azaleas, forsythia, and cherry blossoms). 

If you’re willing to venture out of Pyongyang, you could visit the mountains of Kuwolsan; the beautiful Samil Lagoon; the tomb of the Emperor Tangun; the ruins at Taesong, and the tomb of King Tongmyong. These places are particularly attractive if you’ve had your fill of Kim Il-Sung and communism.