Tag: North Korea

  • DIY Arch of Triumph

    DIY Arch of Triumph

    The tallest arch of triumph stands in Pyongyang. At 60 meters high and 50 meters wide it commemorates the liberation of Korea being a Japanese colony. Once you take the elevator up to the top of the building you have a nice view of Pyongyang. The mandatory movie screening at the end depicting the construction…

  • Traffic police can be fun when you’re in the right country

    Traffic police can be fun when you’re in the right country

    Traffic is often controlled by police members regulating the flow onto crossroads and junctions despite traffic lights being in place as well. The traffic police members as many other state employees wear gorgeous uniforms and even pop out cool sunglasses once the sun shows out. Many of them appear to be female. A fact that…

  • Latest news

    Latest news

    The metro stations of Pyongyang are a public outlet for the latest edition of the Rodong Sinmun or Workers Newspaper of Pyongyang. Travelers of all age and status will gather around the display to find out about the latest informations, sport results and state news. Some of them use spotlights to highlight the section they…

  • Metro of Pyongyang

    Metro of Pyongyang

     The metro of Pyongyang lies deep beyond the surface. At 100 meters depth the escalators running down are very steep and take their time to deliver their passengers to the underground stations. The stations themselves (I was able to visit 3 of them in total) are beautiful displays of colorful propaganda and depictions. There are…

  • Trolleybusses of Pyongyang

    Trolleybusses of Pyongyang

    The capital of Pyongyang has multiple public transportation options to offer. There are Trolleybusses, Tram and Metro lines going through the city. The trolleybusses were easier to photograph even though I have some pictures coming of the Underground as well. The people usually line up at the stations to wait for the busses. Often the…

  • Mangyŏngdae – Kim Il-sung’s Birthplace

    Mangyŏngdae – Kim Il-sung’s Birthplace

    The rumoured birthplace of the Leader Kim Il-sung is situated in a park called Mangyŏngdae. Complete with a fun fair the hill holds an ensemble of three huts in pristine condition. Inside you can find depictions and utensils that the family of the leader has used to make a living. There is a cold noodle…

  • Grand Ryugyong Hotel

    Grand Ryugyong Hotel

    As with many things in socialism this building represents the great aspirations of the leaders to show the world how successful the socialist idea can be. I’ve seen this grandeur when I first visited Warsaw in the end of 1990s. The main station was nothing more than a giant concrete hull full of ornaments and…