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A series of photos of North Korean cities, recently shared by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and published on Reuters, has surprised many with the modernity of the large structures located in the country's urban areas.
After nearly five years of complete closure due to the pandemic, the news of North Korea reopening to tourists has caused a stir worldwide. In particular, the choice of Samjiyon as the first destination has further heightened curiosity and anticipation among visitors. With newly revealed images, tourists are surprised by the country's rapid transformation. Will other North Korean destinations offer similar surprises?
The North Korean Science and Technology Complex in Pyongyang. The structure, designed in the shape of an atom, is located on Ssuk Island.
Nestled at the foot of Mount Paektu, the city of Samjiyon has become a new symbol of North Korea, marked by remarkable development in infrastructure and architecture.
Once a small, remote mountainous county in Ryanggang Province near the border between the two countries, Samjiyon has transformed into a modern city with a harmonious blend of tradition and development. In December 2019, Samjiyon was upgraded from a county seat to a city, becoming a model urban center and an important cultural, tourism, and sports hub in North Korea.
Munsu Water Park, often referred to as the "Disneyland of Pyongyang," boasts a modern system of swimming pools, outdoor water slides, an indoor climbing area, a lazy river, and more.
Visitors can experience many destinations and services such as the Begaebong ski resort, Samjiyon Hotel, and Paektu Mountain Museum. In addition, the city has built many facilities such as factories, schools, hospitals, and cultural centers with all the necessary amenities, creating a convenient living environment.
A residential area is developing in Hwaseong District, Pyongyang, North Korea. This area is located near the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, the resting place of the late President Kim Il-sung.
The Ryonpho Greenhouse Farm (Hamju County, Pyongyang) was inaugurated on October 10, 2022. The site was built on the site of a former air force base.
More famously, there's the 105-story Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang. According to Business Insider, this five-star hotel, built 40 years ago, remains unfinished and has yet to welcome a single guest. The estimated construction cost is equivalent to 5% of the country's GDP. In June 2019, Alek Sigley, an Australian student pursuing a master's degree in North Korean literature at Kim Il-sung University, posted on X magazine about the new sign above the hotel's main entrance. A month later, the North Korean authorities accused Sigley of "espionage and treason" and detained him for a week. He was subsequently deported from the country.
According to NK News, in 2019, approximately 350,000 Chinese tourists visited North Korea, generating significant revenue for Pyongyang. CBS News reported that since 2020, North Korea has been closed to most international tourists. In 2023, some international flights to and from the country resumed. In February, a group of Russian tourists visited the country.
