Monument to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War, Pyongyang, North Korea
It may be an unlikely travel destination, but a trip to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) makes for a fascinating visit. In a sculpture park in Pyongyang, the capital, colossal bronze statues commemorate North Korea’s “victory” in the Korean War. In the background stands the much maligned pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel, a construction project that ran out of funds 20 years ago but is finally due to open in late 2012. (T Holden)
Mangyongdae Children's Palace, Pyongyang, North Korea
At the Children’s Palace in Pyongyang, a breathtaking one-and-a-half hour production showcases an amazing display of ballet, choir and acrobatics, all performed by grinning maestro children. The performance serves as a patriotic tribute to the DPRK and its supreme leaders, whose images are a stirring backdrop. (T Holden)
Mansudae Grand Monument, Pyongyang, North Korea
These 66ft-tall bronze statues of the deceased supreme leaders Kim Il-sung (left) and Kim Jung-il – that latter of which was unveiled in April 2012 to stand alongside his father -- is another sight with a distinctly North Korean bent. All visitors, locals and foreigners alike are expected to bow out of respect to the leaders, as well as leave flowers. If you take photos, both leaders must be framed in their entirety in your picture. (T Holden)
Arch of Triumph, Pyongyang, North Korea
Inspired by Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, Pyongyang’s larger version is the tallest arch in the world at 60m high. This majestic monument, built in 1982 from white granite, commemorates Kim Il-sung’s role in resisting Japanese rule between 1925 and 1945. (T Holden)
Pyongyang’s subway, North Korea
Not only is Pyongyang’s metro the deepest underground train system in the world, it is also one of the most resplendent, with mosaics of propaganda murals, glitzy chandeliers and sparkling marble pillars. Since tourists to North Korea are largely shielded from interacting with locals, the subway is one of the best places to see residents go about their daily lives. (T Holden)
Monument to the Foundation of the Korean Workers’ Party, Pyongyang, North Korea
Another classic Stalinist-style monument, this statue pays respect to the communist Workers Party. As well as the iconic hammer and sickle, representing the proletariat and peasants, North Korea adds the symbol of a paintbrush as homage to the intellectual. (T Holden)
Juche Tower, Pyongyang, North Korea
A popular local outing is to hire a rowboat on the Taedong River in Pyongyang. Soaring in the background is the grandiose Juche Tower, which is dedicated to the self-reliance philosophy of Juche – a fundamental ideology in North Korean politics. It bears a strong resemblance to the Washington Monument in the United States, and interestingly stands one metre taller. It is also topped by a torch that glows red at night. (T Holden)
The Demilitarized Zone, Pyongyang, North Korea
At the Demilitarized Zone in Panmunjom, which separates North Korea from the south, a DPRK solider briefs tourists on the political situation. The use of a pointer makes it feels as though you have entered a war room as he outlines strategic points along the border. (T Holden)
Reunification Monument, Pyongyang, North Korea
Stretching over the Tongil Expressway, this monument of two giant ladies holding a map of Korea and dressed in traditional billowing hanbok dresses represents the North Korean desire for reunification of the Korean people. Appropriately it is located en route to the Demilitarized Zone along the South Korean border. (T Holden)