Pyongyang Metro
평양지하철(平壤地下鐵)
Location: Pyongyang
Summary
Containing 16 stops and two lines, the Pyongyang Metro is one of the deepest subway systems in the world. First constructed in the 1960s, it displays a similar grand style to its predecessor in Moscow, with stops featuring elaborate murals, mosaics and sculptures alongside ornate pillars and chandeliers. Visitors can descend into the subway down an escalator with a vertical depth of over 50 metres, and tour from stop to stop while riding in the subway trains alongside local passengers.
Map
Travel Information
Tips
- A standard tour of the metro goes between Puhung and Kaeson Stations, stopping at Yonggwang Station (and sometimes Tongil and Ponghwa Stations too) along the way. These are the three most grandly decorated stops.
Fees
- An extended tour of the Metro costs 25 euros (also payable in Chinese yuan or USD). With such a tour it is possible to get off and see every stop on the Metro.
Best times to visit
- Rush hour is a good time to visit to experience a bit of hustle and bustle.

Yonggwang Station
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History
Construction began in 1965, with stations opening from 1969 until 1972. Most of the stations were built during the 70s, but the two most grand—Puhung and Yonggwang—were opened in 1987.
Fact File
- New, modern train carriages with in-built television screens and electronic stop notifications were added in 2016.
- Station names and what they mean:
Hyoksin Line
Romanised Name | Chosongul Name | Hanja | Meaning |
Ragwŏn | 락원 | 樂園 | Paradise |
Kwangmyŏng | 광명 | 光明 | Light |
Samhŭng | 삼흥 | 三興 | Three Flourishings* |
Chŏnsŭng | 전승 | 戰勝 | War Victory |
Hyŏksin | 혁신 | 革新 | Innovation |
Kŏnsŏl | 건설 | 建設 | Construction |
Hwanggŭmbŏl | 황금벌 | 黃金벌 | Golden Fields |
Kŏn’guk | 건국 | 建國 | Nation Building |
Kwangbok | 광복 | 光復 | Restoration |
*”Three Flourishings” refers to the cultivation of the three virtues Korean education aspires to. These are the moral, intellectual, and physical (지(智)·덕(德)·체(體)). This choice of name is likely related to this station’s position next to Kim Il Sung University.
Chollima Line
Romanised Name | Chosongul Name | Hanja | Meaning |
Pulgŭnbyŏl | 붉은별 | N/A | Red Star |
Chŏnu | 전우 | 戰友 | Comrades in Arms |
Kaesŏn | 개선 | 凱旋 | Triumph |
T’ongil | 통일 | 統一 | Unification |
Sŭngni | 승리 | 勝利 | Victory |
Ponghwa | 봉화 | 烽火 | Beacon Fire |
Yŏnggwang | 영광 | 榮光 | Glory |
Puhŭng | 부흥 | 復興 | Revival |
- Kaeson Station features a bronze statue of Kim Il Sung giving his 1945 speech upon returning to Korea from Manchuria. The mural opposite the Arch of Triumph upstairs depicts the same event.
- Yonggwang Station features elaborate mosaics on each side of the platform depicting Pyongyang. Standing on the platform, it is as if the viewer is positioned in the Taedong River, and looking at the East and West and sides of the river. The chandeliers are supposed to resemble fireworks above.
- The mural of Kim Il Sung with factory workers at Puhung Station features a light that permanently shines onto Kim Il Sung’s face.
- The logo features the Korean syllabic block “ji” (지; 地), meaning “ground”. It is the first of three blocks in “ji-ha-chol” (지하철; 地下鐵), the Korean word for “subway” or “metro”. “Ji” = ground, “ha” = under, “chol” = literally iron, but here means rail.
Links
- Wikipedia article on the Pyongyang Metro:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyongyang_Metro
- Wikipedia article on Puhung Station:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puhung_Station
- Wikipedia article on Kaeson Station:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaeson_Station
- Wikipedia article on Yonggwang Station:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yonggwang_Station
- Wikipedia article on Tongil Station:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongil_Station
- Wikipedia article on Ponghwa Station:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponghwa_Station
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Misc
Tags
Transport, Monument, Design, Trains, Art, Architecture
Updates
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