247 - A fortress was built on the place where now Pyongyang stands and the capital of Koguryo kingdom was temporary moved in there.
427 - During the reign of King Changsoo a fortress on Daesong-san Mountain which was called Pyongyang for the first time became the constant capital of Koguryo.
VI century - Construction of Chanansung Fortress was started on
Moranbong Hill in the centre of nowdays Pyongyang
586 - Chanansung became the capital of Koguryo.
VIII-IX centuries - Pyongyang appeared to be situated on the border of two Korean states Parhae and Shilla and that time the city fell into decay.
922 - Walls of the second city in Koryo named Sogyong ("Western Capital") were built at the place of Pyongyang
1135 - On the wave of peasants unrest feudal opposition in Sogyong raised revolt and a new state was proclaimed on the most of the north-west of Koryo but governmental troops suppressed the rebels.
1811-1912 - Another peasants war in Pyongando province
enveloped fortress in Pyongyang.
1866 - The American ship "General Scherman" was sank near Pyongyang on the Taedongang River when its crew tried to force Koreans to start trade with the USA.
1919 - Mass rallies for independence from Japan was held in Pyongyang.
1945 - The meeting when Kim Il-Sung proclaimed independence was held in Pyongyang
1948 - Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea was established
with Pyongyang as its capital
1950-1953 - During the Korean war Pyongyang was almost completely destroyed by American bombing
1989 - 13th World festival of youth and students was held in
Pyongyang and for the first time thousands of foreigners
flooded the capital of DPRK.
There are several means of transportation in Pyongyang but for foreigners the only practical one is call-taxi which is easy, not expensive and oriented on foreign guests. There is no practice to catch a moving taxi in the street for foreigners. If you are going to go somewhere by taxi you should call a controller office yourself or ask your guide.
Local people in Pyongyang also use taxi cars but they look different and have checkers-marks on its sides. The taxis appeared just in resent years are paid by local currency and are not for foreigners’ usage. One of the most common transport in Pyongyang is trolley-bus. The Korean made electric buses are slow and may stop in their numbers in case of line cut. Anyway the trolley-buses are not advisable for foreigners to get somewhere though nobody bans a ride of a foreigner.
Trams was reintroduced in Pyongyang in 90-s by instructions of Kim Jung-Il. Typical for Korean cities in the past trams disappeared in Pyongyang after the Korean war as well as in Seoul (South Korea) soon after that. But nowadays it was a decision to reborn trams in the capital of DPRK for improving transport systems.
Metro system in Pyongyang which first was built by 1973. Now it’s consists of two crossed lines and plays important role in transportation in the city. At day time when there is no rush-hour the metro is shown to foreign guests who are suggested a ride between some stations. But it’s a myth that the subway as some foreigners may conclude exists for demonstration only. A lot of people use in early morning hours and evenings. Pyongyangees are proud of their metro and its stations considered as a great examples of North Korean architecture and construction. Entering a station they by tokens using local currency. A foreigner can by a token himself by hard currency certificates but for a tourist it’s better to ask his guide for help. The most beautiful station to see is Hwangeumbul-yuk (Golden Field).
(Mansudae Dae-kinyombi)
Situated on Mansudae Hill the sculptural complex with giant bronze statue of Kim Il-sung at centre became a place of mass pilgrimage of people. The statue and surrounding sculptural compositions on revolution themes were built by Kim Il-Sung’s 60th birthday in 1972. On special dates and occasionals ceremonies of laying wreaths and flowers are held at its feet.
The Presidential Palace where Kim Il-Sung lived and worked after his death in 1994 became his mausoleum. Korean and foreign guests including official delegations come there to express their respect to DPRK and its former leader. The visits to the Palace are specially arranged. People enter in groups the huge building between Pyongyang and Daesung-san Mountain on the bank of Daedong-gang River. Inside groups one by one form a line in front of a big white statue of Kim Il-Sung and bow. Then they go up by stares to the room where his body lies in glass sarcophagus. Beginning from the stares NO photo pictures or videos allowed.
Rising above the eastern bank of Daedong-gang River in the centre of Pyongyang, the Juche Ideas Monument was erected in 1982 by the 70th birthday of Kim Il-Sung. The granite obelisk 170 meters high has on top a ruby torch, shining after dark weighted about 45 ton. Under the torch there is an observation place from where one can see the whole city with its suburbs. A lift brings tourists to the top for an entry price which can vary.
Pyongyangees are proud that their Triumph Arch, which was built in 1982 by the 70th birthday of Kim Il-Sung, is 10 meters higher then the famous Arch in Paris. It is situated in Moranbong district, Kaesung-Kori Road which runs under the Arch. The walls of the Triumph Arch are covered with bas-reliefs on the motives of Korean revolution and the text of the “Marshall Kim Il-Sung Song” engraved on a granite plate.
(Chunlima dongsan)
Legendary winged horse Chunlima which is able to make one thousand miles just with one jump became a symbol of speedy temp for industrial development in North Korea after the Korean war. Then the monument 32 m high with the “Korean Pegasus” was erected on Mansudae Hill in 1961. The Chunlima horse saddled by a peasant-woman and a factory worker with a book raised high in his hand.
(Haebang-tab)
It is a monument for the memory of the Soviet Union soldiers died fighting for the liberation of Korean people from Japanese colonialism. Haebangtab was built in the centre of Pyongyang on Moranbong Hill’s slope in 1946 for the first Anniversary of Korean independence and renovated occasionally so far. On granite walls of the obelisk one can read engraved in Russian and Korean letters the following sentence no more seen anywhere else: “Ever glory to the Great Soviet Army liberated Korean people from yoke of Japanese imperialists and opened a road to its freedom and independence”.
The massive 30-meters obelisk of Wooeui-tab was erected at the foot of Moranbong Hill near Chinese Embassy in 1959 to memorize Chinese soldiers killed during the Korean war.
(also transcribed as Taedong River)
The fifth big river on Korean peninsula starts running from the southern slope of Nannimsan, crosses Pyongan-Namdo province, divides Pyongyang in two parts and falls into Yellow Sea in the west coast of DPRK near port Nampo. The length of Daedong-gang is approximately 450 km. During years of Koguryo Kingdom Daedong-gang used to be called Paesoo or Wangsung-gang which
(also transcribed as Pothong River)
This shallow river which name means just “Ordinary” runs in the western part of Pyongyang. Its length is about 50 km. Many decades ago during long shower-rains Botong-gang used to go out of its banks and flooded everything around. That’s why it was called “River of tears”. In 1942 a flood affected more than 1000 houses in the area. After that the river was put in concrete banks and beautiful parks begun to spread around. Nowadays Botong-gang is in favor of those who loves fishing, canoeing and of pensioners. Old women gather in the shade of willows to sing and dance. Senior men enjoy themselves separately by playing the “General Chess” - jang-gi. Every winter when water almost gone and is frozen citizens are mobilized for cleaning the bottom of Botong-gang from silt. As a fertilizer they bring it then to fields.
The name of the most picturesque place in Pyongyang means “Peony Hills”. Actually there is no peonies there but comparatively low hills covered with pine groves, flowering bush and fruit trees turned into a wonderful natural park in conjunction with waterfalls, stony brooks and ponds. Several historical relicts reconstructed and well preserved there including Ulmil-dae Pavilion and the fortress gate Chilsung-moon.
The campus of the Kim Il-sung University is situated at the foot of Moran-bong Hill.
(also transcribed as Taesong Mountain)
It’s definitely worth going there - a huge mountainous massif to the north of Pyongyang is about 20 minutes drive from the centre of the city. At the foot there are the Central Zoo and the Central Botanical Garden. Follow the main road between them and you are at the Daesungsan recreation park in about 180 000 m2.
There are two options - to have a ride on electric cars, speedy merry-go-round and sometimes purely North Korean, ideologically coloured facilities or to enjoy a lovely walk around beautiful ponds, waterfalls, pine-tree forests and picnic areas. If paid at the entrance to Daesungsan park, one can drive a car to the summit 270 m high from where you can touch ancient Korean history - remains of a fortress walls are still there at the place from where the whole Pyongyang is seen as a picture.
The wonderful view is contributed by a pavilion on the Sumoonbong or “Rumors Hill” in translation. There is also a popular picnic area among old empty stone-walled reservoirs for rain water. At the foot of Daesungsan there is a reconstructed Buddhist temple Gwanbub-sa which was one of the oldest temples Pyongyang. The original one built in 392 A.D. was completely destroyed in bombardment during the Korean war.
(Joongang-Dongmoolwon in Korean)
This is a unique park with a collection of animals from around the world. The main idea is that all of them are the presents given to Kim Il-Sung or Kim Jong-Il by state and political figures from different countries. At every cage
(Joongang-Sinmoorwon)
Situated is at the opposite side of the Zoo. Several science research centres are also based there. In recent years masses of Koreans come there to see a collection of two kinds of flowers with a highest political meaning. One is called Kimllsung-hwa by the name of Kim Il-Sung and another is Kimjongil-hwa by the name of Kim Jong-Il.
The real beauty of Korean nature lives there - just 30-40 minutes drive west from the city through Mangyungdae area. Beautiful in all seasons it is the best place for picnics and mountain walking. There are two ways to enter the natural park. First is to start at the foot of Ryongaksan where the old building of Confucian school is hidden in the shade of willows.
The asphalt road goes there passing a pioneer camp - a well developed facility for scout stile organized holidays of school children. Nearby the Confucian school there is a spring from which locals take drinking water and another one but not so big is seen near the stone path 100 m up to the mountain.
Bush-walking is perfect in Ryongak-san and after 30-40 min of climbing the stone steps one can reach a wonderful Buddhist temple. It’s called Bubun-am and consists of the main pavilion for Amitabha Buddha and what is typical for Korea a few other small houses built under huge rocks for mountain spirits.
The temple can be reached not only by feet. Much easier would be to get there by car as narrow asphalt serpentine rises up to the parking space near the Bubun-am temple. From the place it’s worth walking the path beginning behind the temple. The last part of the path is turning hard for elder people as the monolith slope gets too high. However the path equipped with chains which help physically strong or young people to reach the top of Ryongak-san at 292 m height. There is a beautiful pavilion from which in good weather opens a great panorama of Pyongyang and it’s the best view at Mangyongdae and Chilgol districts. There are stone tables and benches on the summit and it’s ideal place to have a picnic there enjoying freshest air and miraculous views usually available for birds only.
(also pronounced as Reunnado)
This piece of land called literally as the “Island embroiled with silk” situated on Daedonggang river under the Moranbong Hill. Neunnado Island is a park 2.7 km wide and 6 km long with a giant “First of May Stadium”. In heavy rainy seasons the island sometimes sinks flooded by Daedonggang river and so it seems that the silver ring of the stadium lies right on the water. The biggest sport arena in the City with 150 thousand seats was built by the 13th World Youth and Students Festival. The opening ceremony of the festival was held there and since then it is used for mass political and sport shows. In 1995 the first western style Pro-Wrestling Show attracted about 10 thousand of foreign visitors.
(Dangoon-wang Neung)
The giant pyramid for the memory of the legendary founder of Korean nation King Tangun actually is completely new structure which was built of white granite in the early 90-s near Pyongyang for the purpose of cementing patriotism in the country. North Korean archeologists quite recently found human remains witch was claimed to belong Tangun himself. In the place the tomb was erected and is open inside as a museum. Going there be prepared to climb over hundreds of stone stares to the pyramid. (VIDEO IS HERE)
(pronounsed as Dongmyung-wan neung)
The tomb of 5th century is a large architectural complex situated near Moojin-ni village of Ryukpo District. It’s about 30 min drive from Pyongyang by the highway to Wonsan. The king Tongmyong was the legendary founder of Koguryo Kingdom and his tomb as it is today was renewed at the beginning of the 90s. Before there were wooden pavilions and small stone figures in front of the tomb but now you see a whole gallery of giant granite monuments of animals and people.
Not far from there recently reconstructed Buddhist temple Jungneungsa which mainly serves as a museum and it has different stile of murals than other Korean Buddhist temples. (VIDEOS ARE HERE AND HERE)
(also transcribed as Taedong Gate)
One of the main relicts in Pyongyang, the gate once served as the eastern entrance into the capital fortress after a pontoon bridge across the Daedong-gang river. And its name the gate got after the river on which bank it stands since the middle of 6th century. Daedong-moon consists of a massive stone-bricks U shape gate with a tile-roofed pavilion on its top where one can reach climbing stone steps on both sides of the structure of 6.5 m high. Wooden columns and rafters under the roof are covered with colourful ornaments of lotus and dragons.
(Pyongyang-jong)
By the side of the Daedong-moon Gate there is a small pavilion with wooden trellised walls. A huge bell made of about 13,5 tons of bronze is seen through the trellis. Now it stands on the ground but originally it hanged inside the Daedong-moon Gate since early 18th century and used for striking the hours and as alarm in case of emergencies. The bell rang twice a day - at 4 o’clock in the morning when the gate opened and at 10 o’clock in the evening when Daedong-moon closed for a night. At midnight on January 1, 1946 the bell rang for the liberation of Koreans from Japanese annexation.
Another wonderful example of the Koguryo stile architecture, Ryungwang-jung rises over the western bank of Daedong-gang river near the Onnyu-gyo bridge from one side and Daedogn-moon gates from the other. It was build as it is now in 1670 and was considered as one of the “Eight Wonders” of Pyongyang. On a wooden column inside the pavilion there is a written words left by poet Kim Hwan-Won of Koryo Kingdom. It says: “The river streams run by the long fortress wall and from a distance to the east across fields some mountains hardly seen”.
On the opposite hill from Ulmil-dae stands another pavilion which was built in 1716. Surrounded by pine trees and azalea shrubs flowering each spring. Is is called literally as “The Best view point” because if standing there one can see both west and east parts of Pyongyang.
Moran-bong Hills is unthinkable without the small structure on red wooden columns under a heavy tiled roof. The pavilion built in 6th century is called after a general of Koguryo kingdom named Ulmil who was exellent in guarding the capital. It stands on the top of a stone wall high above the modern city. The best view to the Triumph Arch, Kim Il-Sung Stadium and the rest of the hill is open from Ulmil-dae which was considered as one of the “Eight Wonders” of old Pyongyang.
There is an entrance to Moran-bong Hill park through the fortress gates called Chilsung-moon, which means “Gate of the Seven Stars”. In Korea the “Seven stars” is a name of the Great Bear constellation as it was loaned from China long time ago. The gate was constructed in 6th century, the same time as Ulmil-dae and the whole fortress which remains we can see somewhere nowadays on Moran-bong hills. There is a patriotic legend about Chilsung-moon Gate. The legend says that in Pyongyang of Koguryo period there lived a young loving pair. A guy Dolbum and a most beautiful girl in town named Seenae wanted to be married but her father said that he could not give her daughter to a man who had not got any military skills. The idea was that a person who wasn’t be able to defend his country could not protect his own family. So Dolbum had nothing to do but to leave Pyongyang and go to army service. He promised to his beloved to come back in two years and Seenae promised to wait. The guy learned fighting science well and when his training was over he prepared to return to Pyongyang. But enemies threatened the Kingdom and he went to fight. His courage and skills made him a high ranking officer however one more year had past and the promise given to Seenae had not been kept. Dolbum entered the Pyongyang fortress through the “Gate of the Seven Stars” wearing a high rank military costume. The father of Seenae proudly gave his daughter to the officer Dolbum who didn’t come back before having finished his struggle with enemies’ aggression. Since then people call Chilsung-moon as “Gate of Love” and nowadays after finishing their duty at military service KPA soldiers walk by its stone stairs through the arch.
(also transcribed as Pothong Gate)
The oldest fortress gate in Pyongyang, Botong-moon was built in the middle of 6th century at the western entrance of the city. The nowadays’ structure preserved since 1473 after a number of restorations. Although Botong-moon looks like a typical fortress gate it was considered as one of the “Eight Wonders” of Pyongyang and got its name from the river Botong-gang. From the place where it stands now the central and the most attractive avenue called as Chunlima Street starts and open a view on the nice complex of People’s Culture Palace, Pyonyang Sports Palace, a futuristic UFO-like Skating ring and a gallery of fountains.
In the central district and Jong-no block just near the Mansudae Artistic Theatre there are two small Confucian stile temples. They are united in a tiny fenced yard with a common gate to enter inside. Soongin-jon is the most ancient building in Pyongyang as it is said to be built in 1325 though reconstructed several times later. Soongnyung-jon appeared in 1429. The temples was devoted to a legendary founder of Korean nation Tangun /pronounsed as Dangoon/ and King Tongmyong of Koguryo Kingdom.
Visiting of memorial sires and complexes is a usual part of tours in DPRK and joining them certainly would be an expression of respect to the country. The sites also demonstrate giant, unlimited scales of political education and internal propaganda. Actually nowhere in the world one can see such an unprecedented realization of cult and it’s worth having a look.
Mangyongdae Revolutionary Site
(Mangyongdae Hyungmyung Sajokchi)
This is the place 12 km to the south-west of Pyongyang where Kim Il Sung was born in April 15, 1912. That time it was known as Namni village in Gopyung county. It is one of the most beautiful place on the Mangyongdae /“Ten thousand Views”/ Hills situated on the bank of Daedong-gang River. There is a wide highway from the city to the place and another one goes from Kwanbok District. The main destination for locals there is the straw-roofed village house where Kim Il-Sung was born and spent his early years. Thousands of Koreans come there every day to express there loyalty to Kim Il-Sung and his family. After that they enjoy spare time in a large park with swan lakes, small zoo, monorail and a kind of Luna Park.
(Chilgol Hyungmyung Sahjokji)
Situated at the opposite side of Kwangbok Avenue if to drive from Mangyongdae, Chilgol is a former village where Kim Il-Sung’s mother Kang Ban-Sok was born in April 1892. She is called the Great Mother of Korea /Josun-eui Weedaehan Umunee/.
(Ponghwa Hyungmyung Sajokchi)
The village Bonghwa-ri of Gamdong-gun county about 35 km from Pyongyang is connection with life of the Kim Il-Sung’s father Kim Hyong-Jik. He is considered as a leader of anti-Japanese movement and in Bonghwa-ri Kim Hyong-Jik lived and acted in 1916-1917.
Junsueng Revolutionary Site
(Junsueng Hyungmyung Sajokchi)
During the Korean war Kim Il-Sung since the beginning of 1951untill 1953 had to work and live underground to be protected from US air-attacks. The facility for that was a bunker in Junsueng-dong block in the district of Moranbong.
Museums of any kind are considered as an important part of Korean culture. They never look empty or unattractive for people, especially students and visitors from other regions. Most of them are directly or very closely connected with political education and propaganda, others are specialized in arts, science and technology. For better understanding and to get the full picture of life in DPRK it’s worth seeing all kinds of museums in Pyongyang. Most of them a open for foreigners for a few dollars fee which is subject to change but it is better to arrange visits to a museum through your guide in advance. It will allow you to escape misunderstanding and difficulties in communication with the local museum stuff and to get an English language guidance. Taking pictures is usually not allowed but it may be possible with permission if it will be obtained from museum administration.
Museum of the Korean revolution
(Chosun Hyunmyung Pangmoolgwan)
Situated on Mansoo-dae Hill behind the Kim Il-Sung bronze statue, the Museum of Korean revolution was established in August of 1946 and reconstructed in 1972 for the 60th anniversary of the DPRK leader. One of the biggest expositions in the city, the museum completely dedicated to anti-Japanese activity of Kim Il-Sung strictly according to the official North Korean chronicle which has factorial differences from the versions in the Western countries.
(Dang-changgun Bangmoolgwan)
The historic two storey building of the former Central Organizing Committee of the Korea Labor Party is used nowadays as the Party Foundation Museum. It is situated in the central part of Pyongyang not far from the Koryo Hotel. The museum was founded there in 1970 for the 25th anniversary of Kim Il-Sung. On the second floor there is a cabinet where he worked after liberation from Japanese colonialism came to Korea.
Museum Of The War Victory For Liberation of Motherland
(Jogook Haebang Junjaeng Seungnee Geenyumgwan)
Established in August of 1953, the exposition for the memory of the Korean war placed in a huge 3-storey gray building in Susung district on the willow bank of Botong-gang river. In about 80 rooms of the museum contain also the displays of anti-Japanese struggle of Kim Il-Sung.
Central Museum of Korean History
(Josun Joongang Yuksa Bangmoolgwan)
One of the biggest and oldest and the most popular exhibition halls in Pyongyang is the Central Museum of Korean History, established in December 1945. It is situated in the very center of Pyongyang, on Kim Il-Sung Square on the opposite side from the same looking building of the Korean Arts Gallery. You can find a rich collection of archeological staff and relicts from the periods since Stone Age to the new history of Korea.
Korean Arts Gallery
(Josun Meesool Bangmoolgwan)
If you stand on Kim Il-Sung Square with you face turned to the building of the People’s Palace of Studies on your left will be the Korean Arts Gallery. Founded in 1954, it is the biggest national art exhibition in DPRK. There are replicas of unique murals from the ancient tombs of Koguryo Kingdom, old traditional paintings and works of the famous modern artists.
Museum of Korean ethnography
(Josun Minsok Bangmoolgwan)
The easy way to know Korean traditions and customs as they had been developed through centuries is to visit the Museum of Korean ethnography in a small street perpendicular to Suengni-Guree Avenue near the Daedon-moon Gate. Traditional dress, agricultural technologies, food, arts, leisure and many more sides of Korean life are compactly presented in this museum which was established in February of 1956.
There is a number of theatres and culture palaces in Pyongyang which can be open for foreigners but it should be arranged beforehand. Prices usually are not high or it’s even free for special guests. Music and dance performances, operas, dramas and concerts are the main directions of theatrical arts in North Korea. And very popular and well developed kind of cultural entertainment in the country is circus.
North Korean acrobats and illusionists represented their art in many international circus festivals abroad and won high prizes. Strange, but contrary in South Korea there is no circus at all. It’s like there’s no classical ballet in DPRK.
Mansudae Artistic Theatre
(Mansoodae Yesul Geukjang)
In the year of 1976 a very esthetically balanced building was built within just 15 months in the center of Pyongyang. In became a theatre with a difference called by the same name as Mansudae Hill, the place where it stands. The building of this prestigious theatre and its interior are considered as a chef-d’oeuvre of modern North Korean architecture. Its facade slightly hidden in willows’ shade is covered with illumination net which like kaleidoscope shines after dark when in full use. The foyer and lobby are designed to delight those who enter before the show starts. Wonderful wall pictures, sculptures, lights hidden in columns which are made of lines with pearl-like oil drops slowly running down. The theatre occupies as they say about 60 thousand square meters of land but the number of seats is not as big as in other theatres but a high-tech
(Inmin moonhwa goongjun)
The unique modern structure of the Palace of People’s Culture was built in traditional Korean style in 1974 on the bank of Botong-gang river. It is located in Chunlima-Guree Avenue near Botong-moon Gate. Inside there are concert and conference halls for 700 and 3000 seats. Most public and international events are held in the palace, as well as news briefings and receptions for foreign visitors.
(Sah-eesib-oh moonhwa hoegwan)
In DPRK April 25 is the Day of the Korean Peoples Army and that’s why the biggest artistic hall in Pyongyang was called after this date. Built in 1975 it has about 600 rooms and halls of 6000, 1100 and 600 seats for concerts, meetings and international festivals. It is situated on the cross-road of Seungnee-Kuree and Bipa-Kuree streets near Junseung-yuk and Junwoo-yuk metro stations.
(Pyongyang Dae-geugjang)
The building of the Great Theatre was constructed in Korean traditional stile in 1960 at the place where Seungnee-Guree Street starts, near the Pyongyang Hotel. The theatre has a capacity of 2200 seats. In the past it was used for holding congress and plenary sessions of the Korean Labor Party and the famous North Korean operas were staged there including “Pibada” /The Sea Of Blood/ and “The Flower-Selling Girl”.
(Pyongyang Kyoye Keukjang)
There are two arenas in one building of the circus in Kwangbok Street and nowadays it’s the main center of circus art in DPRK. It was built in 1989 by the 13th International Youth and Students Festival.
Korean People’s Army Circus in Moran-bong
(Inmingoon Kyoye Keukjang)
The round building of this circus theatre was the first one where it all started. Many famous acrobats, clowns and illusionists was brought up there. The “Old Circus” was built in 1964 with 1800 seats inside. It is situated in Chilsung-moon Street not far from the Triumph Arch.
(Pyongyang Useum Geugjang)
Opened in 90s the Theatre of Laugh is located in the building of the former Puppet Theatre which was closed in early 90s. The humor stage oriented mostly at local people to make them feel optimistic. The contents of plays in the theatre is funny life situations with behavior-educational purposes or patriotic agitation. Koreans traditionally have a good sense of humor and it makes Theatre of Laugh very popular in DPRK.
(Inmin Daehakseuptang)
The biggest building in traditional stile in Pyongyang stands in front of Kim Il-Sung square and its tribune is used for leaders and guests of the country during meetings, parades and mass celebrations. In the palace itself there are the best public library in DPRK and a separate library for foreign publications, a variety of facilities for studying science and foreign languages and lecture halls. It is widely used by university and college students.
(Pyongyang hagsaeng sonyon koongjun)
Situated on Seungnee-Guree Street near the 1-st Department Store, this first centre in Pyongyang for children’s education and leisure was built in 1963. It has a hall for 1100 seats, sports hall with 500 seats, classrooms and library.
Mangyong-dae Palace of Pioneers and School Students
(Mangyong-dae hagsaeng sonyon koongjun)
Only one children’s center became not enough by the 80s and a new and much bigger Palace was built in Kwangbok District in 1989. Now it’s one of the main sightseeing place shown to foreign guests. In the huge U-shape modern building they can see almost genius school boys and girls which study and demonstrate dances, calligraphy, embroidery and other skills. The guides give detailed information about the Palace and answers questions.