Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me to the great leaders in the enormous Kumsusan Palace of the Sun mausoleum before heading to the birthplace of the great leader, then attending a local circus. As today is a public holiday, we head to a mass dance and to a beer festival in the evening.
Today's Journey
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I pose with my minders Byong and Kim in the foyer of the Yanggakto International Hotel. They are dressed very formally today as we are heading towards what they call their most holiest site. |
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Visiting the Kumsusan Temple of the Sun, where cameras are forbidden. Here we go into the mausoleum and visit the bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, and halls showing all their achievements and stuff like train carriages, etc. |
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After leaving the mausoleum, we head to a small village in the city said to be the birthplace of Kim Il Sung. Much of the family's buildings and contents have been restored. Kim Il Sung came from a line of Presbyterian ministers and elders for several generations. |
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We return to the central city where we are entertained by circus performers in a large auditorium. |
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Trapese artists swing high above us. |
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We cross back over the Taedong River to attend a mass dance celebrating the Day of the Foundation of the Republic public holiday today. This marks the day in 1948 when a new constitution was established with Korea gaining independence from Japan with the help of the Soviet Union and USA. Kim Il Sung was appointed premier on this day. |
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The sun sets as we pass the Pyongyang Ice Rink where indoor ice hockey is played on our way back across the river. |
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We stop by the river to attend Pyongyang's first beer festival. Here I look across the river to the Juche Tower which I had gone up yesterday whilst behind me the crowd drinks cheap Taedong Beer. |
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A performer playing a traditional Korean instrument at the beer festival. |
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Heading out of the beer festival crossing Kim Il Sung Square, silent and almost deserted in the darkness of the gloomy night. |
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