Ryongwang Pavilion, a Pride of Pyongyang

There are many historic relics associated with the wisdom and talents of the Korean ancestors in the capital city of Pyongyang with a long history of the nation.

  Seen on the shore of the Taedong River between Kim Il Sung Square in the heart of Pyongyang and the Okryu Bridge is the historic Ryongwang Pavilion, a pride of Pyongyang from olden times.

  It was first built in the middle of the 6th century as the eastern commanding post of the interior of the walled city of Pyongyang during the Koguryo Dynasty. Later, it was rebuilt on several occasions. It boasts of its peculiar architectural beauty and beautiful surrounding scenery.

The scenery of Pyongyang from the Ryongwang Pavilion was as good as a landscape, which enabled its visitors to write poems from olden times. The Ryongwang Pavilion is called so because the bird's-eye view is very good.

  It is proved well by the calligraphic hanging board and an old poem written by Kim Hwang Won, a famous poet during the Koryo Dynasty.

  Dr. Kim Kwang Jo, Researcher of the Academy of Social Sciences, says:

  "The calligraphic hanging board of 'The Most Beautiful Place in the World' was written by an envoy of a neighbouring country who visited Korea long ago. While doing the sights of Pyongyang, he happened to go up this Ryongwang Pavilion. Dazzled by the scenery before him, he is said to have written the calligraphic letters. At that time he confessed that he had visited many places but it was for the first time for him to see such a beautiful scenery."

  The visitors to the Ryongwang Pavilion can hear many legends about the beauty of Pyongyang and a lot of stories about the ardent patriotism of the Korean people who defeated foreign aggressors.

  Near the pavilion are historic relics and remains such as the Taedong Gate showing the excellent architecture of the Korean ancestors and the Pyongyang Bell called an "attraction of Pyongyang" because of its beautiful shape and majestic sound.

  Many people come to the Ryongwang Pavilion to enjoy themselves, which enables them to know the history of the Korean nation and see Pyongyang changing day by day.