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 UN General Assembly adopted on September 12 a resolution approving the New York declaration on the peaceful settlement of the
September 16, 2025
The UN General Assembly adopted on September 12 a resolution approving the New York declaration on the peaceful settlement of the
Noble and beautiful virtues and traits of helping and leading one another forward prevail in the DPRK. All the Korean people
September 16, 2025
Noble and beautiful virtues and traits of helping and leading one another forward prevail in the DPRK. All the Korean people
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Yun Kwang Hung, a woman centenarian living in neighbourhood unit No.
September 16, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Yun Kwang Hung, a woman centenarian living in neighbourhood unit No.
The Israeli war maniacs made an air raid on Doha, the capital of Qatar, on September 9. The Israeli authorities declared that it
September 15, 2025
The Israeli war maniacs made an air raid on Doha, the capital of Qatar, on September 9. The Israeli authorities declared that it
The Tonghungsan ginkgo tree at the foot of Mt Tonghung in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, was planted in around 1600.The tree is
September 15, 2025
The Tonghungsan ginkgo tree at the foot of Mt Tonghung in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, was planted in around 1600.The tree is
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press
September 15, 2025
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press
Modern high-rise apartment houses have newly been built in Wonsan City, Kangwon Province. Hundreds of dwelling houses, service
September 15, 2025
Modern high-rise apartment houses have newly been built in Wonsan City, Kangwon Province. Hundreds of dwelling houses, service
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and
September 15, 2025
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and
Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, on September 13 issued the
September 15, 2025
Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, on September 13 issued the
A meeting of service personnel of the Ministry of Public Security was held on the top of Mt Paektu, the sacred mountain of the
September 15, 2025
A meeting of service personnel of the Ministry of Public Security was held on the top of Mt Paektu, the sacred mountain of the
The US state secretary issued a statement on September 4 to declare that the US will launch counterattack against the influence of
September 14, 2025
The US state secretary issued a statement on September 4 to declare that the US will launch counterattack against the influence of
The US history of aggression against Korea started with the intrusion of the aggressor ship General Sherman. The United States of
September 14, 2025
The US history of aggression against Korea started with the intrusion of the aggressor ship General Sherman. The United States of
Socialism built by intention and will of people To build socialism where the people are masters was the ideal the Workers’ Party
September 14, 2025
Socialism built by intention and will of people To build socialism where the people are masters was the ideal the Workers’ Party
The Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill has finished the third-stage production of school uniform cloth for this year. The mill
September 14, 2025
The Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill has finished the third-stage production of school uniform cloth for this year. The mill
Men’s and women’s final matches of the Hwaeppul Cup football tournament were played at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang. The
September 13, 2025
Men’s and women’s final matches of the Hwaeppul Cup football tournament were played at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang. The
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov referred to the anti-Russia manoeuvres of the West, etc. as he made a speech in front of
September 13, 2025
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov referred to the anti-Russia manoeuvres of the West, etc. as he made a speech in front of
A meeting took place on the spot on September 11 to convey a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Workers'
September 13, 2025
A meeting took place on the spot on September 11 to convey a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Workers'
Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier
September 13, 2025
Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier
The Samchong Mine under the Sangwon Cement Complex was selected as one of the top ten enterprises in 2024. The mine set the
September 13, 2025
The Samchong Mine under the Sangwon Cement Complex was selected as one of the top ten enterprises in 2024. The mine set the
The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund issued a joint report on the occasion of World Water Week
September 12, 2025
The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund issued a joint report on the occasion of World Water Week
More Articles
