The Walled City of Pyongyang lying in Central and Phyongchon districts of Pyongyang was the capital of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668). It was also called Jangan castle.
Koguryo, which had used Kungnae castle in Ji’an, Jilin Province of China, as its capital, moved the capital to Pyongyang with more favourable conditions in 427.
At that time, like in Kungnae castle, the Koguryo people built a royal palace (Anhak Palace) on flatlands with a mountain fortress (Taesongsan Fort) nearby so that in case of emergency all inhabitants could go into the fort to resist invaders.
As its national strength grew, Koguryo built between 552 and 586 the large-scale Walled City of Pyongyang encompassing the whole of the city in order to defend the capital against the enemy’s invasion more effectively.
The Koguryo people erected the walled city as a combination of flatland and hill forts on the basis of their experience in war.
The walled city occupied a long terrain extending north and south at the point where the Taedong and Pothong rivers join.
The terrain was a favourable place adequately covering fields and hills in the Pyongyang peneplain and the walled city was advantageous as they surrounded both flatlands and hills. The Taedong and Pothong rivers surrounding the city on three sides served as natural moats greatly contributing to strengthening the defence capability of the city.
The walled city was about 16km in circumference.
The inside of the city was partitioned by walls into inner, middle, outer and northern forts. The walls of the city were approximately 23km in total length including those of the four forts.
The inner fort was for the royal palace, the middle one for the government offices and the outer one for residential quarters.
There were seven commanding posts in the walled city.
Typical of them are the Ulmil Pavilion in the inner fort and the Choesung Pavilion in the northern one.
The Walled City of Pyongyang showcases the history and culture of Koguryo, the form of the walled capital city in its late period and its development and the resourcefulness and talents of the Koguryo people.
More From Pyongyang Times
The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gave
January 14, 2026
The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gave
The Cameroonian President warned that the crises and conflicts that are worsening all across the world constitute great threats to
January 14, 2026
The Cameroonian President warned that the crises and conflicts that are worsening all across the world constitute great threats to
The Vietnamese prime minister mentioned the country’s economic development at a government meeting on January 8. He said that
January 14, 2026
The Vietnamese prime minister mentioned the country’s economic development at a government meeting on January 8. He said that
Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
January 14, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
There took place a seminar for deeply grasping the immortal leadership exploits of President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and
January 14, 2026
There took place a seminar for deeply grasping the immortal leadership exploits of President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and
A photo exhibition "Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great politics of
January 14, 2026
A photo exhibition "Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great politics of
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on January 8 warned the West against deploying armed forces in Ukraine.
January 13, 2026
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on January 8 warned the West against deploying armed forces in Ukraine.
The Sixth Memory Contest of University Students took place last year bringing together excellent students selected from different
January 13, 2026
The Sixth Memory Contest of University Students took place last year bringing together excellent students selected from different
At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County and
January 13, 2026
At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County and
2025 was a year when the DPRK powerfully promoted its economic development on the strength of science and technology. Scientific
January 13, 2026
2025 was a year when the DPRK powerfully promoted its economic development on the strength of science and technology. Scientific
The phrase “Groundbreaking means inauguration” was coined in the DPRK as lots of edifices for the well-being of the people are
January 13, 2026
The phrase “Groundbreaking means inauguration” was coined in the DPRK as lots of edifices for the well-being of the people are
Many units in the key industries of the DPRK have carried out their production plans for the first ten days of January. The Kim
January 13, 2026
Many units in the key industries of the DPRK have carried out their production plans for the first ten days of January. The Kim
The Korean people uphold and follow the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un as their dear father. He is the father of the great family
January 12, 2026
The Korean people uphold and follow the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un as their dear father. He is the father of the great family
From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security
January 12, 2026
From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security
The Danish prime minister rejected the US’ attempt to annex Greenland in a radio interview on January 5.As regards the US chief ex
January 12, 2026
The Danish prime minister rejected the US’ attempt to annex Greenland in a radio interview on January 5.As regards the US chief ex
A spokesman for the EU Commission on January 5 took a stand against the US ruler’s remarks revealing the intention to gain
January 12, 2026
A spokesman for the EU Commission on January 5 took a stand against the US ruler’s remarks revealing the intention to gain
means devising one’s way to live by one’s own determination and efforts without relying on others. The DPRK’s history of
January 12, 2026
means devising one’s way to live by one’s own determination and efforts without relying on others. The DPRK’s history of
A meeting with sportspersons who won the international games in 2025 was held on January 9. Present there were Kim Il Guk,
January 12, 2026
A meeting with sportspersons who won the international games in 2025 was held on January 9. Present there were Kim Il Guk,
Officials of ministries and national agencies in the DPRK did the first Friday labour of the new year at farms in Pyongyang on
January 12, 2026
Officials of ministries and national agencies in the DPRK did the first Friday labour of the new year at farms in Pyongyang on
New houses have been built in Sambong-ri of Phyongwon County and Yonphung-ri of Anju City, South Phyongan Province. Attending the
January 12, 2026
New houses have been built in Sambong-ri of Phyongwon County and Yonphung-ri of Anju City, South Phyongan Province. Attending the
More Articles
