Xi Jinping arrives in Pyongyang for a state visit to North Korea.

Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of North Korea, with a history dating back over 2,000 years as an ancient capital of the Goguryeo kingdom. Heavily rebuilt after the Korean War (1950-1953), the city is known for its monumental socialist architecture, including the Juche Tower and Kim Il-sung Square. Today, it serves as the political, cultural, and economic center of the country, though it remains largely closed to foreign tourists and tightly controlled by the government.

Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, is one of the oldest cities in Korea, with a history dating back over 2,000 years as a key political and cultural center. Heavily rebuilt after the Korean War (1950–1953), the city is now characterized by monumental socialist architecture, grand squares, and statues dedicated to the country’s leaders, such as the Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il statues on Mansu Hill. Today, Pyongyang serves as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The Juche Tower, located in Pyongyang, North Korea, is a monumental granite obelisk completed in 1982 to commemorate the 70th birthday of Kim Il-sung and to symbolize the Juche ideology, which emphasizes self-reliance. Standing at 170 meters tall, it is one of the tallest stone structures in the world and features a torch-shaped top that is illuminated at night. The tower is often associated with the country’s political propaganda and serves as a key landmark for state-sponsored celebrations and foreign visitors.

Kim Il-sung Square is a large public square in Pyongyang, North Korea, named after the country’s founding leader. It was completed in 1954 and has served as the central venue for major political rallies, military parades, and national celebrations. The square is historically significant as a symbol of the North Korean state and its leadership, reflecting the country’s ideological and political traditions.