Pyongyang – A City High on Boast, Secrecy and Desolation

President Kim Il Sung Eternal Sun / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

The economic crisis of North Korea has not kept off this country from boasting of its self-claimed superiority over the rest of the world. Though it has a severe lack of resources, North Korea is ready to go to any extent to glorify its isolated communist stance and the strict regime of its line of rulers–Kim Il-Sung succeeded by his son Kim Jong-Il.

People mobilized in support of juche or something / Photo from hungry_i

It will require you a visit to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea and a look at the Ryugyong Hotel to give you the creeps. This unfinished and abandoned 105-storey structure standing tall in the Potong District will give you an eerie feeling of a well-furnished desert. The poorest exhibit of North Korean engineering, the construction of this hotel started back in 1987 at an estimated budget of $750 million. The country was immeasurably proud about this prestigious project until it was abandoned in 1996 due to shortage of funds.

Ryugyong hotel dominating the Pyongyang skyline / Photo from Pricey

Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang / Photo from douglascain

Today if you look up at the structure closely, you can see the gaping holes in place of the doors, windows and fittings. The actual culprit was the below-average quality of concrete used for its construction that made it useless for occupancy even if it were completed. However, the inauguration planning was elaborate as the hotel was deemed the venue for World Festival of Youth and Students in June 1989. Though the construction did not really keep pace with this aim, it still stands as the lone 1,083 feet tall structure, towering over the skyline of Pyongyang.

Pyongyang view – DPRK / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

North Korean highway – DPRK / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

Streets of Pyongyang / Photo from bryanh

Though the failing economy and the unending chain of natural disasters never cease to haunt North Korea, the government still nurtures a dream that the skeleton of this 5-star hotel is likely to fetch foreign investors to the land. However, North Koreans feel such a massive cause of embarrassment about the hotel that they are ready to overlook any topic related to it with outsiders. But what they fail to see is that the apparently spacious streets and layout of Pyongyang looks equally empty and ghostly.

Guess what we think of you / Photo from boobootoo2

US welcomed! North Korea / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

You might not feel so when you first visit Pyongyang, which is also the oldest city of North Korea. Its Kumsusan Memorial Palace, Juche Tower, Rungrado May Day Stadium and the large golden statues of North Korea’s two leaders are worthy of tourist admiration. Its extensive metro networks connecting several of the North Korean cities and intercity trains apart from its tram and trolleybus services are indeed eye-catching. Yet, you find a remarkable lack of private cars and conveyance in the streets of this communist country that sets it apart from other communist nations like China.

Monument to Party Foundation in Pyongyang / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

The grey side of Pyongyang / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

As a tourist, you will face problems exerting your freedom of traveling and visiting most of the spots of North Korea alone. You will not be allowed to travel between two spots without a local guide with you. In spite of being the citizens of one of the poorest nations of the world, you will find the children singing, “We are the happiest children in the world.”

Looking at each others – North korea 북한 / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

Kim Jong Il and the kids / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

The costume of the local men and women are identical to the point of uniform-like regularity with a red Kim Il Sung badge or the North Korean flag flaunting over it. You cannot hope of buying one or befriending a local, since this is a punishable offense and is rewarded with imprisonment.

Arirang North Korea / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

Reflections North Korea / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

Kim Il Sung North Korea 북한 / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

A busy sunday afternoon in Pyongyang North Korea / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

North-Korea – Pyongyang / Photo from Fispace

Pyongyang metro North Korea 북한 / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

North Korea — Pyongyang, Department Store / Photo from (stephan)’s

Not so bored with the USA! North Korea / Photo from Eric Lafforgue