Ryugyong Hotel
Ryugyong Hotel is a hotel in the capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, occupying the tallest skyscraper. The hotel is named after Pyongyang’s old name, Ryugyong, which means “Willow Capital” in Korean. It is housed in a futuristic building of 105 floors that rises to a height of 330 meters. The skyscraper has an interior area of 360,000 m².
Background
The idea to build the world’s tallest hotel in the capital of the DPRK emerged during the Cold War. To attract investors, the country’s government promised to open casinos, lounges and nightclubs in the Ryugyong Hotel. The building was still under construction, but its image could already be seen on postage stamps, geographical maps and in tourist guides.
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Erection of the giant skyscraper began in 1987 and was to last until 1989. Three thousand rooms and 7 restaurants were planned to open in time for the World Festival of Youth and Students. However, the resources were not enough, and in 1992 the construction of the Ryugyong Hotel was frozen. In 2008, by the decision of the country’s government, construction work on the skyscraper continued. The protracted construction work was completed in 2016. According to the Korean management now the hotel is fully ready, but not put into operation.
.The Ryugyong Hotel consists of three huge wings that converge at the top point of the high-rise building. Each of the wings is set back 100 meters from the center of the skyscraper and is 18 meters wide. The architectural concept of the hotel has been repeatedly criticized around the world. North Korea’s tallest building has been called “the ugliest” and “a shard of science fiction in the modern world,” and it is regularly featured in architectural anti-rating lists.
.How to get there
Ryugyong Hotel rises in the center of Pyongyang and is visible from everywhere. Next to the skyscraper is the exit from the Consol subway station.
