The Korean Peninsula is a mysterious and imaginative place.
We often hear that North Korea is poor and economically backward. But in fact, as a unique socialist country, North Korea also has many surprising "world's best". Having just returned from North Korea, I would like to tell you that although it is poor, there is no shortage of architectural wonders that have attracted the attention of the world.
1. The deepest subway in the world
When it comes to subways, the deepest in the world is naturally the Pyongyang subway in North Korea. The Pyongyang Metro was built in 1968 and has two lines to date. Among them, the deepest part of Line 1 reaches 110 meters underground, setting a new record for the deepest subway in the world. This is mainly due to the fact that Pyongyang is located in a mountainous area with a narrow surface, and the construction of the subway can only go deep underground.
When I first came to Pyongyang, I took the subway to go sightseeing, and I went 100 meters underground and was completely cut off from the surface world, which was quite a novelty. Surrounded by rocks, the moving train makes a loud noise rumbling. The depth here is similar to that of a mine. The staff told me that the subway tunnels are dug directly into the rock formation, which is extremely strong.
The interior of the subway car is very spacious and ornate and exquisitely decorated. Heavy metal security doors are installed at the carriage junctions to protect against the attacks of war. The two subway lines that have been opened are shorter in length, but they have greatly facilitated the travel of Pyongyang citizens. In the next few years, the Pyongyang subway will continue to be expanded, and a convenient and fast three-dimensional transportation network will be formed.
2. The tallest triumphal arch in the world
In addition to the world's deepest subway, Pyongyang, North Korea, is also home to the world's tallest triumphal arch, Pyongyang's Daedong Gate. This huge stone brick arch is 60 meters high and 50 meters wide, and is divided into three openings, with the central opening 27 meters high and the two side openings 20 meters high.
As one of the national symbols of North Korea, Daedong Gate is magnificent and can be called a model of militarized architecture. When visiting Datongmen Square, the neat North Korean soldiers were marching slowly in a procession, and the atmosphere was solemn. I can't help but imagine that when the city of Pyongyang is attacked, the solid Taedong Gate will be the first line of defense to defend the country.
The slogan "Long live" on the Datong Gate, although it has faded and weathered, the strokes are still faintly recognizable, and it is still like a huge military flag fluttering in the wind. Looking at the world's tallest triumphal arch in front of me, I couldn't help but sigh at the efforts made by the North Korean government to show its national strength and majesty.
3. The tallest memorial tower in the world
In addition to the Daedong Gate, another new landmark in Pyongyang, North Korea, is the world's tallest North Korean-style tower, the Juche Tower. The 170-meter-tall memorial tower was built in memory of the late leader Kim Il Sung and is nearly 20 meters taller than the world's second-tallest monument in Washington, D.C.
The travertine gray tower has a simple and smooth shape, and the top is in the image of a torch. During the day, it stands in the downtown area of Pyongyang, with a panoramic view of the whole city; At night, the city of Pyongyang is illuminated with bright lights. To visit the Juche Tower, you need to take a rocket-like high-speed elevator up and down for a panoramic view of Pyongyang.
Many North Koreans in Kim Il Sung Square spontaneously came to lay wreaths and bow at the foot of the tower to express their admiration for the founding leader. The tall Juche Tower, which stands with the public buildings on both sides of the square, is part of Pyongyang's magnificent cityscape. Its standing figure is just like the position of Kim Il Sungism's ideology in the hearts of North Koreans.
Fourth, the largest stadium in the world
In addition to its tall buildings, Pyongyang is also home to the world's largest stadium, the May Day Stadium. With a capacity of 150,000 spectators, this multi-purpose stadium is one of the largest in the world.
The Wuyi Stadium has two levels of stands, the lower floor is a stone brick structure, and the upper floor is a white steel frame stand. The on-site track surrounds the football pitch and there are many training facilities off-site. Every time there is a large-scale event, the North Korean people gather here in uniform and the scene is spectacular. Large-scale rallies, theatrical performances, or sports competitions will be held in the venue.
Compared with the stadiums in China, the Wuyi Stadium gives me the feeling of solemnity and rustic. Although the venue is large, the facilities are simple and pragmatic everywhere. This spirit of being big but not exaggerated also echoes the consistent style of the DPRK.
5. The world's tallest unfinished building
Finally, I would like to talk about one of the more embarrassing records in the "world's best" - the world's tallest unfinished building, the Gomila Building. The 105-storey supertall building in Pyongyang was originally planned to be the world's tallest hotel, but due to a lack of funds, it is still in a state of collapse.
For 33 years, the outwardly completed building has remained empty, a footnote to North Korea's economic woes. At 360 meters high, it could have been the tallest building in the world.
The contrast between the Ghormila Tower and the surrounding Western-style buildings symbolizes the contradiction between North Korea's ambitions and the realities of its predicament. It also suggests that we should not underestimate the development potential of a country, and that North Korea may one day amaze the world.