Pyongyang (평양 - Pyeongyang) has a population of about 2,750,000. It is the capital of North Korea. It is located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest of the country.

How to get there

By plane

Almost everyone travels either by plane or by train from Beijing. You will need to apply for a visa before traveling, which takes at least 2 weeks.

Sunan International Airport is located 24 kilometers north of Pyongyang.

The Air China Beijing departs / arrives on Mondays and Fridays and has an additional service: Wednesday evenings in summer (from April 1st). It is worth noting that Pyongyang Airport does not have a glide path system, and in case of bad weather conditions, flights may be canceled or even the plane may turn around. "AirKoryo" usually does not have such problems, so if you need to fly, you should use the services of this company. However, it should be borne in mind that Air China is equipped with more modern and safer equipment than Air Koryo. You can compare prices for flights to Pyongyang from different airlines, for example,.

If you are in trouble with finances, then you can buy half price tickets to from Pyongyang. They are sold at the Youth Hotel, Air China office. It is located about 10 km northeast of the city. In addition, you will be allowed to carry 30 kilograms of luggage free of charge.

By train

Trains from China arrive at the main Pyongyang Railway Station. Foreigners can join locals and use the main exit. Your guide will be waiting for you outside. Also, if any of your luggage was transported on a freight train, then you can pick it up the next day. The customs office is located at the back of the building and closes from 12.00 to 14.00. There are no fees for customs clearance of goods, and officials are not strict.

Tourist notes

North Korean visitors must be accompanied by a guide or guides who will show you what and how you can visit.

You can visit this city on your own, unless, of course, the authorities prohibit it. This happens, but very rarely.

Residents can safely walk around the area. However, they cannot use the buses. But they can ride the subway despite rumors of a ban. There are two metro tracks and all stations are open to foreigners. Despite the fact that the trains are old, they are quite high quality and phenomenally cheap. The biggest disadvantage of this mode of transport is that the subway only runs on the western side of the river, while the Munsu-dong area, where all foreign residents live, is on the eastern side.

Taxis can also be taken, but Koreans are very careful with foreigners and may not provide their services. One exception can only be at the Koryo Hotel, which is located next to the train station. Wait for the driver, then contact the hotel so they can pick you up. About KRW 5 is enough to cover the average one-way distance.

Prompt:

Pyongyang - the time is now

Difference in hours:

Moscow - 6

Kazan - 6

Samara - 5

Yekaterinburg - 4

Novosibirsk - 2

Vladivostok 1

When is the season. When is the best time to go

Pyongyang - monthly weather

Prompt:

Pyongyang - monthly weather

Hotels. Where is the best place to live?

Budget choice

Heabangsan Hotel on Sungri Road, Central Area, Tel. +850 2 37037. Five-story building which is the cheapest option in Pyongyang. There are 83 rooms here, but it is not a fact that you will be allowed to stay here as a foreigner.

The Morangbong Hotel, Morangbong Hill, has 12 rooms and is the smallest hotel in Pyongyang. And the only one with the Al Fresco dining room.

Pyongyang Hotel, Sungri Street, Central District (next to Pyongyang Theater), tel. +850 2 38161. Second class hotel with 170 rooms. It was opened in 1961.

Taedonggang Hotel, Sungri Street, Central District (next to Taedonggang River) Tel. +850 2 38346. A second class hotel founded in 1956.

Average cost

Koryo Hotel, Changkwang Street, Tel. +850 2 381 4397. The most luxurious hotel in the city, on a par with Yanggakdo. Has 45 floors and over 500 rooms. A three-star hotel in the center of Pyongyang, close to the train station, making you less isolated than Yanggakdo. Single rooms - 175 won, double rooms - 290 won.

Potongang Hotel, tel. +850 2 381 2229. First class hotel located 4 kilometers from the city center. There are 216 rooms, each of which has air conditioning, refrigerator, telephone and satellite TV. There are also restaurants, a bar, a gift shop and a beauty salon.

Ryanggang Hotel, Chongchun Street, (at the junction of Taedonggang and Potonggang Rivers), Mangyongdae District, tel. +850 2 73825. It was founded in 1989. This is a first class hotel with 317 rooms and a rooftop restaurant.

Sosan Hotel, Kwangbok Street, tel. +850 2 71191. Another first class option, recently renovated. It has a swimming pool, bars, internet access and cable TV.

Yanggakdo Hotel, tel. +850 2 381 2134. It was founded in 1995. The place where most tourists stay in Pyongyang. Located on Yanggakdo Island in the middle of the Taedong River. It is a 47-story building and has several restaurants (including a rooftop restaurant) and an underground kitsch casino where you can see nervous Chinese people. There is also a bowling alley, shoe repair and massage center. The main staff are Chinese. Prices range from 70 won for third-class rooms on the lower floors to 420 won for suites and above. Meals included.

Major attractions. What to see

20-meter bronze statue of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in Mansuda

During the celebration of the centenary of Kim Il Sung, a statue of Kim Jong Il was built. This colossally huge display is the first thing you should see. Be aware that locals expect some kind of return from visitors in the form of respect for the monument. Your travel group will also need to place flowers on the plinth of the statue, which can be purchased for NKR 3 to 10. Formal costume is welcome but not required.

Pyongyang Metro

The deepest metro system in the world - 110 meters. The stations have large murals, each designed to embody different ideals. Most only see Puhung and Yonggwang on the Chollima line.

Juche tower

A 170-meter monument dedicated to Kim Il Sung's Juche philosophy. Don't miss the trip to the top, which costs 5 won, for great views of the city (although if you stay at Yanggakdo, the view from the top floor is pretty much the same and it's free!).

Children "s Palace

Almost every city has a Children's Palace, in Pyongyang it is the largest. After school, gifted children spend their day in this palace, practicing art or improving other personal skills. Children choose their type of activity, in consultation with teachers, and as soon as they become big enough (about 11 years old), they continue their education in a certain area. Directions: ballet, rhythmic dance, gymnastics, computer programming, singing, musical instruments, chess, volleyball, basketball, embroidery and calligraphy.

Ryugyong Hotel (hotel)

This 105-story, 330-meter-high building dominates Pyongyang's skyline. Construction began in 1987, but when (in 1992) funds ran out, construction was suspended.

USSPueblo

A hijacked American ship.

Stamp shop

Located next to Koryo Hotel on Changwang Road, it offers a variety of DPRK postage stamps, from Olympic sports to Korean food and DPRK history. Exactly this the best place where souvenirs are sold, and there are also brands for every taste. You can buy postcards and postage stamps for 200 won.

Arirang Mass Games

Here you can see gymnasts and artistic performances. These games have been around for several years. The most wonderful show on earth with over 100,000 numbers.

Arch of triumph

The arch was designed to commemorate the Korean resistance to Japan between 1925 and 1945 and the liberation from Japanese occupation. The arch is modeled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. However, at 60 meters high and 50 meters wide, it is the largest in the world.

Kaeson Funfair (fair)

Located next to the Arc de Triomphe, there is a small amusement park with several new attractions. You and your guides will not be able to just wander around this park, you will need the help of the park staff to ride each attraction. Also, you will be allowed out of line. All attractions that you visit can be paid at the exit.

Chollima Statue (statue)

It is a statue of a man on a winged horse, representing the innovation of Korea. Located at the top of Mansu Hill.

Grand monument

This is a huge statue of Kim Il Sung, who is still officially considered the president of the DPRK, despite the fact that he died 15 years ago.

Kimilsungia-Kimjungilia Flower Exhibition Center

These are two-story houses with rare flowers named after Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung.

North Korean Film Studio

Here you can see where North Korean films are made and watch films made in Japan, Russia, China and South Korea.

Museums. Which are worth visiting

The Korean War Museum is also known as the Victory Museum. patriotic war... The museum's basement contains a number of American aircraft, tanks, and weapons.

What to see in the vicinity

Mangyongdae, the alleged birthplace of Kim Il Sung, is 12 kilometers from the city center. The first house of the leader is located here, it is the main attraction and looks quite new, despite the fact that this building is 100 years old. The suburb also houses the Revolutionary Museum, an amusement park and a school for gifted children.

The Revolutionary Martyrs (cemetery), about 15 kilometers northeast of the city. You will walk 300 steps through the garden, where funeral music will play; bronze portraits of the buried are depicted on marble slabs. Seriousness is imperative here. You can take pictures, and on clear days there is a wonderful view of the city. There is a park and a zoo at the foot of the hill. They are inexpensive, but they are not always open. There is a metro station from which you can return to the city. The journey takes about 40 minutes. There are many tigers, dogs and chickens in the zoo. Two Korean dog breeds (lighter - northern, darker - southern), which are separated from each other by a fence and basically just bark at each other.

Panmunjom. A village located on the border between North and South Korea and is a truce zone. This is an unforgettable place one day's drive from Pyongyang.

Food. What to try

The average North Korean is unlikely to go to a restaurant. In their understanding, restaurants exist for foreigners and special guests of the country. You will usually be dining at the hotel. With the current slow erosion of state control, Pyongyang has many different private and semi-private (ostensibly state-owned) eateries, but these are mainly aimed at the working class. The menu is very simple: boiled corn, kimchi, fish or squid, and white rice for those looking to shell out (North Koreans only eat white rice on holidays). If Koreans accept foreigners in their institution, it can lead to enormous embarrassment and bring a lot of problems for everyone involved.

Often times, if you see a group of Koreans in a restaurant, it means that they are working together and having lunch at the expense of their organization. It's very easy to recognize them: Koreans almost never eat meat, so at the meat festival they drink as much as possible, with rice alcohol being one of the drinks. And small groups of people who regularly go to a restaurant drink and eat an order of magnitude less.

The No. 1 Boat Restaurant, located in Kim Il Sung Square, is the only one of its kind in Pyongyang that is accessible to tourists. You can dine on the outdoor terrace.

Chongryu. Located on the banks of the Pothong River. The design of the restaurant is made in the form of a river cruise ship. It was renovated in 2007 and will be a good choice for those who love Korean food as it features over 120 Korean dishes.

Dangogi Gukjib on Tongil Street is the most famous place to try dog ​​meat (many Koreans specialize in this), but the conditions for these animals are extremely unfavorable and the methods of killing are very cruel.

The National Restaurant can serve a wide variety of Korean food and also host live concerts.

Okryu, located on the banks of the Taedong River, was founded in 1960 and is a popular restaurant for those looking to experience Korean cuisine. It is famous for its Pyongyang-style cold noodles.

Pyolmuri, located on Changkwang Street, is the first Italian restaurant in North Korea. Here you can taste pasta and pizza. Between 1.50 and 2.50 won.

Pyongyang Duck Barbecue is a good choice if you like grilled duck.

Pyongyang Ostrich Farm specializes in ostrich dishes.

Ryugyong Restaurant, located on Sang Taek Street, specializes in beef dishes. Recommended for meat lovers.

Samtaesung Hamburger Restaurant is the only one of its kind in Pyongyang. Here you can try burgers, french fries and soft drinks.

Pyongyang TV Tower Restaurant is located in Pyongyang TV Tower. And it is considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in North Korea.

Beverages

There are very few bars and clubs here, and North Korean beer is available in hotels. Many can offer both Chinese beer and other types such as Heineken. The local beer in barrels is delicious and costs between 0.50 and 1.40 won. And bottled beer can give you a nasty hangover.

There are three main places, besides restaurants and hotels, that visitors can visit: the old Diplomatic Club next to the Juche tower, near the river; "Friendship" - found inside Munsudong foreigners; and the Random Access Club, created by the UN, is located within Munsudong foreigners.

If you have transport (which is difficult to find) and permission (which is easier), then you can visit these places.

Security. What to watch out for

The authorities are very strict here, and crime is low. It is unlikely that you will have any problems with the locals. However, remember that the police and secret services are also strict with foreigners. Do not insult the Great Leader Kir Il Sung, Kim Jong Il or Kim Jong Un in any way. Otherwise, you may be arrested or at least deported.

Things to do

Excursions in and around Pyongyang are the only way to spend your free time. Very rarely, visitors move around the city on their own.

There is one caveat regarding independent visits to Pyongyang by foreign residents. Usually they are allowed to walk freely around the city, but Koreans still prefer to help in such situations.

First of all, be careful when photographing. You can photograph monuments and palaces, but Koreans don't like being photographed without their permission. If you walk through a street market, it will look like this: everyone will run away from you (including the sellers), for them it means some kind of failure. However, this is not always the case. Koreans are very nervous, so it's a good idea to smile more often. In such situations, it is best not to take pictures. Otherwise, you will be arrested and deported.

Any innocent photograph in a Western market is unacceptable to North Koreans. They not only point to flaws in the political system, but the picture of abundance will be spoiled, which also worries residents.

There are many locations for air gun shooting. Koreans enjoy watching foreigners try their hand. As, for example, sometimes (secretly from foreigners) they shot at images of Americans.

So you can shoot at live targets, namely at chickens. It only costs a couple of North Korean won, and if you kill the chicken, you can pick it up.

Foreigners can use the most important pool on Saturday mornings, and in winter it becomes a skating rink that can also be used. It is important to be aware that if you are involved in an accident, you will not receive help from the local residents. you are a foreigner with whom they do not like to contact. There was a case when one day a tourist broke his leg on a skating rink, and only foreign speakers tried to help him, i.e. people like him are newcomers.

Shopping and shops

You can't buy many souvenirs here. There are several department stores, but there are few items of interest. Art, homemade items and souvenirs can be bought at tourist spots or hotels. In North Korea, metal amulets depicting one or both Kims are in demand. For them it is like a national need, and therefore they are not always available for Westerners, because locals think they would never want to have such a thing. These “badges” were even confiscated by customs at the time of departure.

There are several shops supported by the state, there are wide range products as well as consumer goods such as shoes made from homemade materials. The prices are very low compared to Western standards and the sellers are honest as they are. officials follow their every step, especially when selling something to foreigners. These shops are very easy to recognize by their blue hemispherical roof. However, despite the fact that this is the Tonghil market, foreigners can at best be viewed with caution or suspicion. Don't be surprised if you are escorted out of this building.

Tonghil market is perhaps the most interesting place as relatively wealthy Koreans shop here. According to government regulations, Koreans are distinguished by their work / status. Everything else they can buy freely, at the local won rate (about 1/30 of the price on the black market), again this depends on their status, or at the market price, which means that they can afford almost nothing. The average monthly salary is around £ 1.5 / € 2 / $ 2.5 per month, which leads to the complete dependence of most people on the state.

You definitely need to exchange your currency for won to make purchases in these shops or markets, and you cannot take pictures either. In Tonghil, you can get robbed, but this rarely happens.

Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). Pyongyang is the administrative, cultural and historical center of the country. The word "Pyongyang" (according to Kontsevich's system is transcribed into Cyrillic as Pyeongyang) in Korean means "wide land", "cozy area". In 1946, the city was removed from the Pyeongan Nam-do province and received the status of a city of direct subordination (chikhalsi) - the administrative status of the provincial level.

Information

• Country: DPRK
• Former names: Wangomseong, Ryugyon, Kison, Hwanson, Nannan, Sogyon, Sodo, Hogyon, Chanan, Heijou
• Area: 1,578 km²
• Population: 4,138,187 (2010)
• Time zone: UTC + 8: 30
• Calling code: +850

Geography

Located on the banks of the Taedong River (Taedong) not far from its confluence with the Yellow Sea. Another river that flows through the city is Potongan. Forms a separate administrative unit with the status of a province. The population of modern Pyongyang with its suburbs exceeds 4 million people. The vast majority of residents are Koreans. Almost all residents of the city speak Korean.

Climate

The climate is monsoon with a sharp manifestation of different seasons and a clear distinction between the seasons of drought and rainy. Although Korea is located in low latitudes and is surrounded on three sides by sea basins, its climate is more severe than in some countries located in the same latitude. In winter, powerful currents of cold dry air coming from Transbaikalia and Mongolia bring dry clear weather and frost to the Korean Peninsula. In summer, the territory of the country is under the influence of oceanic air masses, which bring abundant atmospheric moisture. During the three summer months, 50-60% of the annual precipitation rates fall. The average annual temperature is + 10.6 ° C. The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is about -6 ° C, the hottest (August) is about +25 ° C. During the year, an average of 933 millimeters of precipitation falls.
Compared to Seoul, Pyongyang has a cooler climate and slightly less rainfall.

History

According to legend, Pyongyang was founded in 2334 BC under the name Wangomson. It was the capital of the ancient Korean state of Gochoson. However, this date is controversial and is not recognized by many historians who believe that the city was founded at the beginning of our era.
In 108 BC. NS. the Han dynasty conquered Gojoseon, establishing several military districts in its place. The capital of one of them, Lolan County, was founded near present-day Pyongyang. Lolan was one of the dominant forces in the region until it was conquered in 313 by the growing state of Goguryeo.
In 427, van Koguryeo moved the capital of the state to Pyongyang. In 668, the Korean state of Silla, in alliance with the Chinese Tang dynasty, conquered Goguryeo. The city became part of Silla, remaining on the border with its northern neighbor - Parhe. Silla was replaced by the Goryeo dynasty. During this period, Pyongyang increased its influence and was renamed Sogyong (서경; 西京; "Western Capital"), although in fact, Pyongyang was never the capital of Koryo. During the Joseon Dynasty it was the capital of Pyeongando province, and from 1896 until the end of the Japanese occupation it was the capital of Pyeongannam-do province.
In 1945, the period of Japanese occupation was over and Pyongyang fell into the zone of influence of the Soviet Union, becoming the temporary capital of the DPRK state formed in the north of the Korean Peninsula (then Seoul was considered the permanent capital, "temporarily" separated from the country). During the Korean War, it was seriously damaged as a result of aerial bombardment, from October to December 1950 it was occupied by UN troops. After the war, with the help of the Soviet Union, the city was quickly rebuilt.

Historical names

During its history, Pyongyang has changed many names. One of them was Ryugyon, or "willow capital", as at that time there were many willows growing throughout the city, which was reflected in medieval Korean literature. Currently, the city is also home to many willow trees, and the word Ryugyon is often found on the city map (see Ryugyon Hotel). Other names of the city in different periods were Kison, Hwanson, Rannan, Seogyon, Sodo, Hogyon, Chanan. During Japanese colonial rule, the city was known as Heij (the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese characters 平 壌 in Pyongyang's hanchcha).

Tourism

Due to the country's almost complete isolation from the rest of the world, tourism in Pyongyang is poorly developed. Most of the tourists come from China. To obtain a visa to the DPRK, you must submit an application at the official diplomatic or tourist mission of the DPRK no earlier than 20 days before departure. In special cases, a visa can be obtained at the crossing point on the border with the DPRK. Anyone can generally obtain a tourist visa, with the exception of journalists, residents of the United States and South Korea.
The import of literature about North and South Korea (except for those published in the DPRK), pornography, mobile phones, and propaganda literature is prohibited in North Korea. It is forbidden to photograph military objects, as well as to visit most of the attractions in informal clothes.
The government controls the movement of tourists around the city by developing special itineraries and sightseeing programs.

Kitchen

A feature of the national Korean cuisine is a large amount of pepper and spices, however, in almost all restaurants for tourists, the pungency of the dishes is moderate. The chefs working here take long professional courses, so they can offer dishes from any cuisine of the world: from Kiev cutlets to Viennese schnitzel.
One of the most popular Pyongyang dishes that every tourist should try is kuksu. It is a cold buckwheat noodles seasoned with broth, meat and vegetables. Also, there is always an offer to taste "kimchi". The basis of this dish is pickled cabbage, and it is complemented by a wide variety of additives: radish, herbs, garlic, onions, peppers, shellfish and even fruits. In addition, mandu dumplings, kalbi pork ribs, bulgogi shish kebabs and kadi-cha eggplant salad are ubiquitous.
Coffee and tea are practically not consumed in the DPRK, but various decoctions and herbal infusions are popular here. Often during the meal, only alcoholic beverages are offered: ginseng vodka, rice wine, fruit liqueurs, etc. Local beer is also common and tastes quite good.

Entertainment and recreation

Pyongyang is not only the administrative, but also the cultural capital of the DPRK, therefore, numerous institutions are concentrated here, offering to get acquainted with the art and culture of this distinctive country. For example, there are several large theaters in the city: Moranbong Theater, Mansudae Art Theater, East Pyongyang Bolshoi Theater, Bonghwa Art Theater and Bolshoi Theater. Also, all guests of Pyongyang are invited to visit the Pyongyang International Cinema, the State Symphony Orchestra of Korea, the People's Army Circus and the Pyongyang Circus. However, the most unforgettable impressions are made by national holidays (Independence Day, Constitution Day, May Day, etc.), which are celebrated here with a special scale and entertainment. Moreover, these are not only military parades and colorful processions, but also grandiose gymnastic performances, as well as competitions in various sports. Among the latter, it is worth highlighting "polt-twi-gi" (all-around), archery, "raw" (wrestling with cloth belts) and "host kekku" (wrestling without belts). Also, at the capital's stadiums, competitions in athletics, tennis, volleyball and football are often held.
If we talk about nightlife, then in Pyongyang it is literally absent, and almost all establishments close before midnight. But there are about 200 parks and gardens in the city, among which it is worth highlighting the amusement parks Taesongsan and Mangyongdae, Kaesong Youth Park, as well as the Central Botanical Garden and the Kimirsenhwa and Kimchenirhwa Flower Pavilion.

Security

In Pyongyang, as in the whole country, the crime rate is very low, so pickpockets, robbers or scammers will definitely not be encountered by tourists here. In addition, every foreigner is necessarily accompanied by a guide, who must not only introduce him to the country, but also monitor compliance with all local laws and norms of behavior.

Pyongyang landmarks

The capital of the DPRK, Pyongyang, is very different from other Asian capitals. Instead of noisy city streets and crowds, there is widespread order and discipline. On the first day, all foreign tourists are taken on a general sightseeing tour. If the tourist is alone, then he travels by car, groups usually travel by bus. The visiting card of the city is the Tower of Idea Juche, 170 meters high. The monument is decorated with golden letters, folded into the word "Juche", and the top is crowned with a twenty-meter torch. In front of the tower there is a 30-meter sculpture of a worker, a peasant woman and an intellectual. In their hands are crossed hammer, sickle and brush - the emblem of the Korean Labor Party.
In general, in the capital, most of the monuments are, of course, associated with the name of Kim Il Sung and with the Juche ideas. For example, the Chollima monument, symbolizing the will to great achievements, was built in honor of the 49th anniversary of the leader (the height of the sculpture without a pedestal is 14 meters, and with it - 46 meters). The program also includes a visit to the Arc de Triomphe, built on the place where the leader made a speech about the rallying and independence of the Korean nation after the victory over Japan (the height of the arch is 60 meters, this is three meters higher than the famous arch of the same name in Paris).
One of the iconic places in Pyongyang is the Kim Il Sung Square, the venue for military parades and demonstrations, as well as massive gymnastic and dance performances that accompany national holidays. In the center of Pyongyang, there is a sculpture of the leader about 70 meters high, next to the Museum of the Korean Revolution. Other famous landmarks are the Party Founding Monument, the Liberation Monument, the Reunification Arch, Comrade Kim Il Sung's mausoleum and two huge stadiums - Kim Il Sung Stadium and May Day Stadium. The capacity of the May Day Stadium is 150 thousand people, that is, this stadium is the largest in the world.
Of the sights that are not related to party ideas, the metro stations are undoubtedly worthy of attention. Not everyone is allowed to go there, much less the right to photograph, but it is worth showing tact and respect and still ask the host party about it. The capital metro is a real work of art; decorative finishes are more luxurious here than in some local museums. Pyongyang, like other megacities in Korea, is famous for its skyscrapers. One of the newest and most impressive structures is the Pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel. Another amazing place is the fountains on the Taedongan River, on the banks of which Pyongyang was built. These are fountains unsurpassed in height all over the world: two cascades rise to a height of 150 meters.

The second US-DPRK summit has begun in Vietnam. Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un have already held a tete-a-tete meeting, before which the American president called his counterpart a "great leader" and assured that the United States would help North Korea realize its economic potential. But how does North Korea itself live and is it ready to start from scratch? In the fall of 2018, Life visited Pyongyang to see everything with his own eyes.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, unofficially referred to as North Korea, was established on September 9, 1948. American and Soviet troops divided the united Korea into two zones of influence along the 38th parallel. In 1950, the DPRK troops invaded the South and the Korean War began. Millions of people have died in three years.

But the conflict ended where it began - at the 38th parallel. Two ideologically hostile states emerged. South Korea, with the support of the United States, chose the capitalist path of development. North Korea, relying on the USSR and China, is communist.

In 2018, a night satellite image clearly demonstrated the current difference between North and South. The brightest point in the North is the capital of the DPRK, Pyongyang.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea remains the most closed state on the planet.

It is difficult for a journalist to enter the DPRK, he must be invited by the country's government. You can wait for a visa for more than a year. And not the fact that it will be approved.

You cannot come to the DPRK just to see how people live. Each visit is timed to coincide with a public holiday. You can fly either from Vladivostok with Aeroflot, or through Beijing - from there, the planes of the Chinese and North Korean companies fly.

North Korean Airlines use Russian Tu-214 aircraft. Buying European or American liners is prohibited by international sanctions. Fly to Pyongyang for an hour and a half. The first North Korean meal on board will be a hamburger and a glass of water.

The plane comes in for landing in cloudless weather - the surroundings of Pyongyang are visible. They are asked not to be filmed.

Wooden houses, an uneven network of dirt roads, plots of land laid out for planting rice and corn - this will not be shown to guests on the ground.

The capital of the DPRK from above is a pompous picture of Soviet development. Pyongyang Airport is small, squat and gray-concrete, like the building of the district executive committee. Inside there is a small deserted hall and several customs booths.

Guides-translators meet the journalists. They will inseparably follow the guests. And not only translate, but also listen to what the journalists say. A column of buses are taking guests to Pyongyang.

Now the DPRK has unprecedented freedom for journalists - by their standards. Everything is allowed to take pictures from the bus window. A few years ago, it was only allowed to photograph in the right directions.

Women are squatting along the track and covering the holes. They use shovels to place the heated tar into potholes and cracks. The girls are dressed in the same orange jumpsuits, but each has a distinctive colored hat - black, green or pink.

This work is considered easy and therefore feminine. Koreans work ten hours six days a week. Each female squad is looked after by a man and indicates what and how to do.

There is a huge poster at the entrance to the capital. The first ruler of the country Kim Il Sung, his son and the second ruler Kim Jong Il are looking into a bright tomorrow in a field of flowers.

There are no other colored signs and banners in the DPRK. The posters call for victories and achievements. A man in a bright red tie is shouting from the banner: "By a general march we will win victory on all fronts in building a scientific-socialist state!"

Photo L! FE / Artur Matveev

Pyongyang is a city of faded gray-reddish-green hues. Houses, bus stops, even people are cleaned and tidy. On the street, not a speck, not a drunk who accidentally fell - everything looks perfect in North Korean. But everyone seems to be afraid to stand out too bright colors in the background.

However, the exemplary street Mire - translated as "street of the Future" - looks motley and resembles a block of modern Russian new buildings in a residential area. Koreans are proud of the new high-rise buildings. The elite quarter was built three years ago. The best scientists and engineers get apartments here. How they live there is unknown. They won't show us.

Pyongyang is a showcase city. Of course, there is no such absurd feeling that you touch the house - and it will tumble down, dragging other facades-decorations along with it. But this cannot be verified: most journalists are allowed to look at the life of North Koreans from a respectful distance - from behind the glass of a passing bus.

In Pyongyang, they love the very best. To make others jealous.

If the Monument to the Juche Ideas, they build a concrete torch 150 meters high, and even 20 meters glass tongues of flame from above. If the sports stadium is named after May Day, then let it be the largest in the world, for 220,000 people. If you put the Arc de Triomphe, then it will be like in Paris, but 20 meters higher and six wider. Monumentality for the inhabitants of the DPRK is an indicator of prestige and quality.

The morning streets of 4 million Pyongyang are crowded. Koreans wake up early - at five or six in the morning. The women clean the house and prepare breakfast, collect the children. Men are doing exercises. Most of the residents work in state-owned enterprises. And getting to them for an hour or two is the norm. Working nearby is considered an incredible success.

Trams and trolleybuses travel along the roads. Electric public transport is very common in Pyongyang. There are fewer buses. In crowded salons there is no place for officialdom: people are just as dissatisfied as in Russia, huddle together, look out of the window with curiosity, or sleep tiredly, resting their heads on the glass.

Photo L! FE / Artur Matveev

Cyclists are everywhere. Many bicycles have registration numbers like cars. Some bicycles look rare - you can see that they are rusty and they are many years old.

Despite the prevailing opinion, there are many cars on the roads of the Korean capital. There are no traffic jams, but Pyongyang's highways cannot be called deserted. And it's not just a taxi.

Mostly Chinese, less often Japanese cars. There are also expensive Lexuses. They are used by the military or officials. Once I managed to see a South Korean foreign car. That is, a machine that is ideologically hostile. To this oddity, the Koreans evasively answer that Korea is a single country and they do not believe that the southern inhabitants are their implacable enemies.

Even if this is a varnished position for guests, this is something new. Even in the spring of this year, there was no talk of reconciliation. But the main rarity on Korean streets is motorcyclists. Although it is the most popular form of transport in Asia. The DPRK does not produce its own mopeds, and the ordinary population has no money to buy foreign ones.

For Koreans, both a motorcycle and a car are not a means of transportation, but a luxury that hardly every thousandth inhabitant of a 25-million country can afford. And in most cases, they are residents of Pyongyang.

The capital of the DPRK is a state within a state. An ideal space to showcase successes and achievements. Outside the window floats a banner "By the power of science and technology, we will open a wide path to the construction of an economic power."

Surprisingly, there are no military or anti-American posters on the street. Although they used to hang there. This can be seen in photographs and archived news broadcasts. Apparently, the recent detente has borne fruit. A poster with a rocket in the background occurs only once. And the rhetoric of hanging banners calls to work and invent, not fight and fight the enemy.

Pyongyang is an elite city, it is not easy to get there even for the residents of the DPRK. To come from the province, a Korean must obtain a special pass and approve it with the state security authorities. And only the best of the best can get a residence permit in Pyongyang. Moreover, even they live under constant supervision.

This can be easily identified by the postal address. For example, if in Russia they indicate a city, street and apartment, then in the DPRK instead of an apartment they indicate a community. This is the real unit of society. 20-30 apartments supervised by the headman. They hold general meetings, report on their successes. And the headman can enter the apartments of the tenants. And if suddenly the behavior of someone he does not like, then he informs about it.

Since 1957, there has been a songbun in the DPRK. At a stretch, it can be called a socialist caste system. In personal conversations, Koreans deny this division. But he is well known from many sources. Songbun divides citizens into three categories: trustworthy authorities, loyal to the authorities, and hostile to the authorities.

Pyongyang(cor. 평양, 平壤, Pyongyang) is the capital (of North Korea). Pyongyang is the administrative, cultural and historical center of the country.

In 1946, the city was withdrawn from the province of Pyongannam-do and received the status of a city of direct subordination - the administrative status of the provincial level.

The word "Pyongyang" (according to Kontsevich's system is transcribed into Cyrillic as Pyongyang) in Korean means "wide land", "cozy area".

Geography

The city is located on the banks of the Taedong River (Taedong) not far from its confluence with the Yellow Sea. Another river that flows through the city is Potongan.

Forms a separate administrative unit with the status of a province.

The population of modern Pyongyang with its suburbs exceeds 4 million people. The vast majority of residents are Koreans. Almost all residents of the city speak Korean.

Climate

The climate in the city is monsoon with a sharp manifestation of different seasons and a clear distinction between the seasons of drought and rainy. Although Korea is located in low latitudes and is surrounded on three sides by sea basins, its climate is more severe than in some countries located in the same latitude. In winter, powerful currents of cold dry air coming from Transbaikalia and Mongolia bring dry clear weather and frost to the Korean Peninsula. In summer, the territory of the country is under the influence of oceanic air masses, which bring abundant atmospheric moisture. During the three summer months, 50-60% of the annual precipitation rates fall. The average annual temperature is + 10.6 ° C. The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is about -6 ° C, the hottest (August) is about +25 ° C. During the year, an average of 933 millimeters of precipitation falls.

Compared to the climate of Pyongyang, it is cooler, and the rainfall is slightly less.

History

Chronology

According to legend, Pyongyang was founded in 2334 BC under the name Wangomson (Korean 왕검성, 王儉 城) and was the capital of the ancient Korean state of Gochoson. However, this date is controversial and is not recognized by many historians who believe that the city was founded at the beginning of our era.

In 108 BC. NS. the Han dynasty conquered Gojoseon, establishing several military districts in its place. The capital of one of them, Nannan County (락 랑국), was founded near present-day Pyongyang. Nannan was one of the dominant forces in the region until it was conquered in 313 by the growing state of Goguryeo.

In 427, van Koguryeo moved the capital of the state to Pyongyang. In 668, the Korean state of Silla, in alliance with the Chinese Tang dynasty, conquered Goguryeo. The city became part of Silla, remaining on the border with its northern neighbor - Parhe. Silla was replaced by the Goryeo dynasty. During this period, Pyongyang increased its influence and was renamed Sogyong (서경; 西京; "Western Capital"), although, in fact, Pyongyang was never the capital of Goryeo. During the Joseon Dynasty it was the capital of Pyeongando province, and from 1896 until the end of Japanese colonial rule it was the capital of Pyeongannam-do province.

In 1945, Korea became independent and Pyongyang fell into the zone of influence of the Soviet Union, becoming the temporary capital of the state formed in the north of the Korean Peninsula (then it was considered a permanent capital, “temporarily” separated from the country). During the Korean War, the city was significantly damaged by aerial bombardments; from October to December 1950 it was occupied by UN troops. It was quickly rebuilt after the war.

Historical names

During its history, Pyongyang has changed many names. One of them was Ryugyun ( 류경, 柳京 ), or "willow capital", since at that time many willows grew throughout the city, which was reflected in medieval Korean literature. Currently, the city is also home to many willow trees, and the word "Ryugyon" is often found on the city map (see Ryugyon Hotel). Other names of the city at different times were Kison, Hwanson, Nannan, Sogyon, Sodo, Hogyon, Chanan. During Japanese colonial rule, the city was known as Heij (the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese characters 平 壌 in Pyongyang's hancha).

Administrative division

Changwan Street (Pyongyang).

Pyongyang is divided into 19 counties ( 구역 cue) and 1 county ( 군 coon). Their Russified names are given below, along with the names in Hangul and Hancha:

• Mangyeongde-guyok ( 만경대구역, 萬景台區域 )
• Moranbong-guyok ( 모란봉구역, 牡丹峰區域 )
• Potongan-guyok ( 보통강구역, 普通江區域 )
• Pyeongcheon-guyok ( 평천구역, 平川區域 )
• Nannan Guyok ( 락랑구역, 樂浪區域 )
• Yokpo-guyok ( 력포구역, 樂浪區域 )
• Jonson-gueok ( 룡성구역, 龍城區域 )
• Sadon-guyok ( 사동구역, 寺洞區域 )
• Samsok-kuyok ( 삼석구역, 三石區域 )
• Songyo-guyok ( 선교구역, 船橋區域 )
• Soson-guyok ( 서성구역, 西城區域 )
• Sunan-guyok ( 순안구역, 順安區域 )
• Dongdaewon-guyok ( 동대원구역, 東大院區域 )
• Taedongan-guyok ( 대동강구역, 大同江區域 )
• Taesung Guyok ( 대성구역, 大城區域 )
• Hyunjesan-guyok ( 형제산구역, 兄弟山區域 )
• Chun-guyok ( 중구역, 中區域 )
• Eunjung-guyok ( 은정구역, 恩情區域 )

• Candon ( 강동군, 江東郡 )

Economy

Pyongyang Department Store No. 1

Along with the country's special regions (Sinuiju and), Pyongyang is the economic center of North Korea.

One of the industrial enterprises of the capital is a plant for the production of rolling stock for railways - Locomotive Factory Kim Cheongtae... Also in the city is the Pyongyang Trolleybus Plant.

The Pyongyang Chewing Gum Factory also operates (Korean 평양 껌 공장) which was founded in October 2003; the production area was 4400 m². The factory was located at land plot 11,900 m² in the Rallan area. Its annual production capacity was 1200 tons. In 2008, the plant moved to a new location in the central region of Pyongyang.

Retail

There are several large department stores in Pyongyang, including the Potongang Department Store, Pyongyang Department Store No. 1, Pyongyang Department Store No. 2, Gwangbok Department Store, Ragwon Department Store, and Pyongyang Children's Department Store.

The city also has a network of state stores " Hwangymbol"Where goods are sold at prices lower than in agricultural markets Jangmadang.

Transport

Pyongyang Metro. Train from West Berlin carriages of the D series at the Puchyn station

Pyongyang tram

The city has a two-line Pyongyang Metro with a total length of 22.5 km. The Pyongyang Metro was commissioned on September 6, 1973. The stations are spacious, the columns are decorated with marble, on the walls there are large mosaic paintings, murals, relief images showing life and nature in Korea. There are currently two lines and sixteen stations. The metro is deep. Metro cars are of two types: West German-made D series (1957-1965), operating since 1999, and Chinese DK4 models (1972-1973), operating from the year of foundation (1973). From 1997 to 2001, cars of the Gi series produced by the GDR in the 1970s and 1980s were in operation. A feature of the Pyongyang subway is that the escalator shafts are illuminated not by chandeliers or vertical lamps, but by the luminous walls of the escalator. At the end of each car there are portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

There is also a trolleybus and tram transport in the city. The trolleybus service was opened on April 30, 1962. Tram traffic existed until the Korean War 1950-1953, after which the tram did not recover. Pyongyang's modern tram system was built from scratch, the tram service opened almost three decades after the launch of the trolleybus, on April 12, 1991, which is a rare case in world practice.

The number of private cars is small compared to most of the world's capitals, although officials use a large fleet of limousines Mercedes-Benz.

There is a state airline " Air koryo»Operating flights from Sunan Airport to (PEK), (SHE), (BKK) and (VVO). There are also non-regular charter flights to (MFM), (ICN), Yangyang (YNY) and some cities. " Air koryo»Also serves several domestic flights.

International rail links operate between Pyongyang and the capitals of China and as well. The road to Beijing takes 25 hours and 25 minutes (2-3 direct cars on the Beijing - Dandong section with the K27 / K28 train, on the Dandong - Pyongyang section with the North Korean train on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays); the road to Moscow takes 7 days, and since 2011, travel by train to Russia is allowed only to citizens of the DPRK who leave for work in Russia.

Tourism

Due to the country's almost complete isolation from the rest of the world, tourism in Pyongyang is not very developed. Most of the tourists come from China. To obtain a visa to the DPRK, you must submit an application at the official diplomatic or tourist mission of the DPRK no earlier than 20 days before departure. In special cases, a visa can be obtained at the crossing point on the border with the DPRK. A tourist visa, in general, can be obtained by anyone, with the exception of journalists, residents and South Korea.

In North Korea, the import of literature about North and South Korea (except for those published in the DPRK), pornography, and propaganda literature is prohibited. It is forbidden to photograph military objects, as well as to visit most of the attractions in informal clothes.

Until recently, the import of mobile phones for foreigners was prohibited, but at the beginning of 2013 this ban was lifted.

Culture

Pyongyang is the cultural capital of North Korea. All the leading cultural institutions of the country are located here, from here cultural exchange with other countries is carried out. In particular, in November 2005 in Pyongyang, representatives of the North Korean government and the Russian embassy signed the “Plan for cultural and scientific exchange for 2005-2007. between the governments of the DPRK and the Russian Federation ”. The population is actively promoting national culture and art. The Research Institute of Korean National Music and Choreography (NIIKNMH) was even established, which is located in the Pyongyang International House of Culture.

There are several cultural institutions in the city. Among them are:

• The Moranbong Theater is the first theater built in the country after World War II. In December 2004, on the personal instructions of Kim Jong Il, the reconstruction of the theater began, which ended in 2005.
• Pyongyang Cultural and Exhibition Complex, opened in 1998. It hosts exhibitions of artists and photographers, as well as book novelties, ranging from ancient Buddhist texts to the works of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Also in this complex are expositions of Korean applied arts - pottery, embroidery, mosaics, etc.
• State Symphony Orchestra of Korea, established in August 1946. The repertoire includes mainly national works (patriotic and glorifying the leaders of the country) and classics from Russian opera and ballet. In total, the orchestra's program includes more than 140 pieces of music.
• Mansuda Art Theater.
• House of Culture "April 25".
• Pyongyang Bolshoi Theater.
• East Pyongyang Bolshoi Theater.
• Central Youth House.
• Bonghwa Art Theater.
• Pyongyang Central Zoo.
• Pyongyang Circus.
• Circus of the People's Army.
• People's Palace of Studies.
• Pyongyang International House of Culture.
• Pyongyang International Cinema.
• Museum of the Korean Revolution.
• Museum of Victory in the Patriotic War of Liberation.
• Exhibition of Achievements of Three Revolutions.
• Pavilion of kimirseniy and kimcheniriy.
• Korean Art Gallery.
• Central History Museum of Korea.
• Ethnographic Museum of Korea.

sights

Founding Monument of the Workers' Party of Korea

Monument to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mansud Hill

During the Korean War (1950-1953), the city was badly damaged and was subsequently almost completely rebuilt. The new layout provided for wider streets, a large number of monuments and monumental structures. The architecture of the city is in many ways reminiscent of the architecture of the Soviet type.

The tallest building in the city is the Ryugyon Hotel with a height of 332 meters (105 floors), with a total area of ​​360 thousand square meters. The construction of this hotel, which began in 1987 and was suspended in the 90s, has continued since 2008 with the participation of foreign companies.

On April 15, 1961, on the occasion of the 49th birthday of Kim Il Sung, the monument “ Chollima"(Literally: « A horse of a thousand li "), according to the sculptors' plan, symbolizing the will of the people for epoch-making achievements in the construction of socialism, the movement" at a pace Chollima"To the prosperity of their homeland. The height of the monument is 46 meters, the height of the sculpture itself is 14 meters. The horse was saddled by a worker holding a Red Letter from the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and a peasant woman. The front hooves of the horse are directed into the sky, and with the hind hooves it seems to push off from the clouds.

On the occasion of Kim Il Sung's 70th birthday, the Arc de Triomphe was opened in April 1982. The height of the gate is 60 meters, the width is 52.5 meters. The arch is 27 meters high and 18.6 meters wide. The words “Songs about the commander Kim Il Sung” and the dates “1925” and “1945” are carved on the gate, denoting the year “Kim Il Sung entered the path of the rebirth of his homeland” and the year of his “triumphant return to his homeland” after its liberation from the Japanese (15 August 1945).

Also, on the occasion of the 70th birthday of Kim Il Sung, the Monument of the Juche Ideas (height - 170 meters) was opened on the banks of the Taedong River. On the front and back of the monument there are golden letters, folded into the word "Juche". At the top of the pillar is a 20-meter-high torch, which symbolizes "the great and unfading triumph of Juche ideas." In the dark, fire is simulated with the help of illumination. In front of the pillar is a 30-meter sculptural group: a worker with a hammer, a peasant woman with a sickle, and an intellectual with a brush. The crossing hammer, sickle and brush are the emblems of the Workers' Party of Korea. On the back side of the pedestal, in a niche, there is a wall assembled from more than two hundred marble and granite slabs sent by the heads of many countries of the world and famous politicians.

One of the most famous places in Pyongyang is the Kim Il Sung Square. It hosts parades of the Korean People's Army, demonstrations, and massive gymnastics and dance performances on public holidays.

In the very center of Pyongyang, on Mansu Hill (where the Pyongyang Fortress used to be), there is a monumental sculptural ensemble, the so-called "Great Monument", known primarily for the 70-meter sculpture of Kim Il Sung. Opened in April 1972 on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the leader. It is curious that the standing Kim Il Sung points with his hand "to a bright tomorrow", to the south, towards Seoul. Behind the bronze statue is the Museum of the Korean Revolution, opened the same year, with a huge mosaic panel of Mount Paektusan on the wall. Its length is 70 meters, height is about 13. The panel symbolizes revolutionary traditions, since according to legend, the Headquarters of the Command was located on Mount Paektu, located on the border with China, where Kim Il Sung lived and worked during the anti-Japanese struggle.

In 2012, the Big Monument underwent a major overhaul. The statue of Kim Il Sung was changed from a jacket and an overcoat into a suit with a tie and coat, the expression on his face was changed from a calm to a smiling one, and glasses appeared. The renewed monument represents the aged Kim Il Sung. By left hand from the statue of Kim Il Sung, a new monument, a little smaller, appeared - a monument to his late son Kim Jong Il, who was also laughing cheerfully. The grand opening took place on April 13, 2012, on the eve of Kim Il Sung's birthday, one of the most important holidays in the DPRK.

On February 8, 2018, a parade and rally dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army took place at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, a day before the official opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in South Korea.

Pyongyang also has several Immortality Towers, obelisks erected in memory of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il throughout North Korea and beyond. The monuments are located on Gumseong, Seungni, Sesallim and Gwangbok streets.

Other notable architectural landmarks in Pyongyang are the Founding Monument of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Liberation Monument built after World War II, and the Reunification Arch.

Education

Pyongyang is home to a number of the country's leading universities:

• Kim Il Sung University;
• Kim Chaek Polytechnic University;
• Institute of Light Industry named after Han Dok Su.

Sport

Pyongyang's sports facilities include two of the largest stadiums in the world - the Kim Il Sung Stadium with 70,000 spectators, the 48th largest in the world, and the May Day Stadium, the largest in the world, with a capacity of 150,000 spectators.

mass media

TV channels:

• DPRK Central Television;
• Renmansan;
• "Mansuda";
• "Sport".

Radio stations:

• FM - 93.8, 99.75, 105.2 MHz;
• SV - 657, 819, 865, 1368 kHz;
• HF - 2.85, 3.97, 6.25 MHz.

• Pyongyang News;
• Pyongyang Time.

Twin cities

Gallery

View of Pyongyang from the top of Juche Tower in 2012: Yangakdo Hotel, Taedonggang River, Taedongyo Bridge, Korea Museum of Art, Kim Il Sung Square, People's Study Palace, Central History Museum of Korea, Ryugyon Hotel, Mansudekkori Street Residential Area , Onnyugyo Bridge, Moranbong Park, Pyongyang TV Tower, May 1 Nynnado Stadium.

Monument to the Unification of Korea

Mount Taesung Revolutionary Memorial Cemetery