North Korea has this reputation of being a pastoral countryside with no buildings in sight, and that’s simply not true!  A common characteristic of North Korean buildings is that they are often tied to nationalistic ideals. A lot of the buildings were built for propaganda purposes, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t architectural wonders in their own right

The Arch of Triumph (개선문) is a sixty meter high granite monument to Kim Il Sung’s  (김일성) efforts against Japanese colonization.  A hymn dedicated to Kim is engraved on the Arch. When the Arch of Triumph was built, it was modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Visitors can ride the elevators to see the various rooms in the Arch of Triumph.

The Grand People’s Study House (인민대학습당) is a large library built in the style of traditional Korean architecture. The library houses all sorts of books and documents relating to Kim Il Jong (김정일) and his ideals. Books in English and other languages are also available, but special permission is required to read those items.

The Juche Tower (주체사상탑) is a 170 meter granite tower celebrating the Juche Ideology. Juche Ideology is based on economic autonomy, global isolationism, and emphasis on traditional Korean culture. Every granite block is supposed to symbolize every day that Kim Il Sung was alive. At night, a metal torch atop the tower is brightly lit.

The Rungrado May Day Stadium (릉라도 5월1일경기장)  was built in honor of May Day, which is a day held important by Communists. This stadium is where the mass games are held. The mass games are large spectacles featuring gymnastics performances, singing and dancing; all of which are used to praise the country and its leader.

The Ryugyong Hotel (류경 호텔) is a triangularly shaped hotel. It is actually not a completed building. Due to economic shortages, the hotel was never finished. In 2008, with the help of Egyptian investors and builders, construction on the Hotel has started. However, it’s now 2010, and it remains to be seen whether it will ever be completed.