Ryugyong Hotel
P’yŏngyang [Phyeongyang]
The Ryugyong Hotel is a monumental skyscraper located in Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea. Its distinctive pyramid shape and towering height make it a prominent feature of the city's skyline. Construction began in 1987 with the ambition to create one of the tallest hotels in the world. However, the building's completion was delayed for decades due to economic difficulties and technical challenges, resulting in it remaining unfinished for a long period. The hotel's exterior was eventually completed in recent years, although it has not officially opened to guests. The Ryugyong Hotel symbolizes North Korea's aspirations for modernization and architectural grandeur amidst its complex political and economic landscape. Its unique design and history have made it a subject of international curiosity and a notable landmark in Pyongyang.
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Tip: Visitors should plan to view the Ryugyong Hotel from public vantage points around Pyongyang as the building is not open to the public. The best time to photograph the hotel is during daylight for clear visibility of its unique pyramid shape. Due to restricted access, advance tickets or reservations are not applicable. Visitors should respect local regulations when photographing or approaching the building.
Interesting facts
- •The Ryugyong Hotel stands approximately 330 meters tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in North Korea.
- •Its name, 'Ryugyong', is an old name for Pyongyang, meaning 'capital of willows'.
- •The hotel was nicknamed the 'Hotel of Doom' internationally due to its long unfinished status.
- •Despite its towering height, the hotel remains closed and unused as of now.
History
Construction of the Ryugyong Hotel began in 1987 as a grand project to symbolize North Korea's progress and to compete with skyscrapers worldwide.
Economic hardships in the 1990s caused construction to halt for many years, leaving the building as an unfinished shell.
Work resumed intermittently, with the exterior completed in the 2010s, but the interior remains unfinished and the hotel has yet to open.
The building's prolonged development reflects the broader economic challenges faced by North Korea over recent decades.
