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 right to existence of the working masses is being trampled down in Western countries. In December last year, farmers from
January 10, 2026
The right to existence of the working masses is being trampled down in Western countries. In December last year, farmers from
Bloody, violent crimes occurred in succession in Western countries around New Year’s Day.A man in his 20s brandished a knife to ca
January 10, 2026
Bloody, violent crimes occurred in succession in Western countries around New Year’s Day.A man in his 20s brandished a knife to ca
Photo exhibitions "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style socialism" were
January 10, 2026
Photo exhibitions "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style socialism" were
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Thongloun Sisoulith, general
January 10, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Thongloun Sisoulith, general
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
January 10, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
New houses have appeared at the Sinphung and Yongjung farms in Sinpho City and at the Namhoe Farm in Hongwon County of South
January 10, 2026
New houses have appeared at the Sinphung and Yongjung farms in Sinpho City and at the Namhoe Farm in Hongwon County of South
Today, the multipolarization of the world has become the main trend of the international community. The influence of BRICS is
January 09, 2026
Today, the multipolarization of the world has become the main trend of the international community. The influence of BRICS is
A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of China at a press conference on December 31 last year accused the Western countries of
January 09, 2026
A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of China at a press conference on December 31 last year accused the Western countries of
The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement on January 1 strongly denounced the terrorist act of Ukraine against peaceful inhabita
January 09, 2026
The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement on January 1 strongly denounced the terrorist act of Ukraine against peaceful inhabita
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a reply letter to Vladimir
January 09, 2026
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a reply letter to Vladimir
Modern houses have been built at the Chilgol Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, and public and production
January 09, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Chilgol Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, and public and production
Review of exhibitions held in 2025 In 2025, various exhibitions took place in large numbers in the fields of light industry and
January 09, 2026
Review of exhibitions held in 2025 In 2025, various exhibitions took place in large numbers in the fields of light industry and
More than 40 finishing building-materials production bases were built and over 60 similar bases updated last year, thanks to the
January 09, 2026
More than 40 finishing building-materials production bases were built and over 60 similar bases updated last year, thanks to the
Practising economy arises as an urgent matter as the economy develops. In order for economy to produce a great result in the
January 09, 2026
Practising economy arises as an urgent matter as the economy develops. In order for economy to produce a great result in the
Kangwon Province has built hydroelectric power plants so as to take a lot of benefits from them. The province has many steep
January 08, 2026
Kangwon Province has built hydroelectric power plants so as to take a lot of benefits from them. The province has many steep
Heads of state of different countries gave addresses on the occasion of the New Year 2026. The Pakistani President called for
January 08, 2026
Heads of state of different countries gave addresses on the occasion of the New Year 2026. The Pakistani President called for
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from
January 08, 2026
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a congratulatory message to the Twelfth Congress of the Lao People's
January 08, 2026
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a congratulatory message to the Twelfth Congress of the Lao People's
The performance of schoolchildren for greeting the New Year 2026 on the theme of "My Country Is the Best" is being given every
January 08, 2026
The performance of schoolchildren for greeting the New Year 2026 on the theme of "My Country Is the Best" is being given every
News of moving into new houses which shows the rapid development of the countryside is reported in Jagang Province every day.
January 08, 2026
News of moving into new houses which shows the rapid development of the countryside is reported in Jagang Province every day.
More Articles
