Historical Remains along Taedong River

Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668), the most powerful state in the history of Korea, moved its capital to Pyongyang (the Mt Taesong area) in the southern part of the country in the first half of the 5th century and built a new walled city around the capital in the mid-6th century. The walled city consisted of the inner, central, outer and northern walls, embracing the present Central and Phyongchon districts of Pyongyang.

Taedong Gate was built as the eastern gate of the inner wall of the Walled City of Pyongyang. It was rebuilt in 947 and 1392, and the present gate was constructed in 1635.

The 19-metre-high gate consists of the embankment of exquisitely-trimmed granites and the stately two-storeyed gatehouse on it. An arch gateway is in the central part of the embankment at the height of 6.5 metres.

The gabled gatehouse on the embankment is 15.91 metres long and 10.34 metres wide.

Taedong Gate is a typical castle gate in the days of the feudal Joson dynasty, which encapsulates magnificence, beauty and buoyancy.

Ryongwang Pavilion stands on a cliff by the Taedong River.

It was also called the “most beautiful pavilion” and “Manhwa Pavilion”, as it commands a panoramic view of beautiful scenery featuring a good harmony of clear water of the Taedong River, vast plains and thickly-wooded mountains.

In the mid-6th century during the period of Koguryo, it was built as a general’s terrace in the eastern part of the inner wall of the Walled City.

When the Walled City of Pyongyang was repaired in the days of Koryo (918-1392), a pavilion was erected on the spot and called Sansu Pavilion.

It was renamed Ryongwang Pavilion after its reconstruction in 1670 during the feudal Joson dynasty.

The pavilion, standing close to the edge of a steep cliff, goes well with the surrounding scenery.

Pyongyang Bell that hangs in the belfry near Taedong Gate has a long history.

The present bell was cast for four months in 1726. It is 3.1 metres high and 1.6 metres across at the mouth and weighs 12.914 tons.

Images of Buddha and four heavenly guardians of Buddhism, clouds and name of the bell were engraved upon the surface.

The belfry was rebuilt in 1827.

As one of the biggest bells cast in the period of feudal Joson dynasty, Pyongyang Bell is counted as a specialty of Pyongyang for its beautiful appearance and solemn sound.