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
Rangnim County greeted the moments of celebrating the inauguration of regional-industry factories built under the energetic
December 17, 2025
Rangnim County greeted the moments of celebrating the inauguration of regional-industry factories built under the energetic
This year marks the 14th anniversary of the demise of Chairman Kim Jong Il.On this occasion the DPRK people recollect the noble ou
December 17, 2025
This year marks the 14th anniversary of the demise of Chairman Kim Jong Il.On this occasion the DPRK people recollect the noble ou
Youth and students got together at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on December 15 to tell stories about the noble virtues of
December 17, 2025
Youth and students got together at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on December 15 to tell stories about the noble virtues of
Regional-industry factories have been built in inland mountainous Sinyang County to fundamentally improve the quality of the
December 17, 2025
Regional-industry factories have been built in inland mountainous Sinyang County to fundamentally improve the quality of the
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the issue of state economic development in a state planning and strategic development
December 16, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the issue of state economic development in a state planning and strategic development
The 2025-2026 DPRK men’s and women’s premier leagues started amid high expectations and interest of soccer experts and fans.
December 16, 2025
The 2025-2026 DPRK men’s and women’s premier leagues started amid high expectations and interest of soccer experts and fans.
The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.
December 16, 2025
The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.
The Workers’ Party of Korea is accelerating the accomplishment of the epoch-making cause of reconstructing the regional economy
December 16, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea is accelerating the accomplishment of the epoch-making cause of reconstructing the regional economy
Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong
December 16, 2025
Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong
South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a
December 16, 2025
South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a
Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,
December 16, 2025
Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,
Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in
December 15, 2025
Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
December 15, 2025
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
December 15, 2025
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
Memorial meetings, seminars, round-table talks, lectures, photo exhibitions and film shows took place in Myanmar, Indonesia,
December 15, 2025
Memorial meetings, seminars, round-table talks, lectures, photo exhibitions and film shows took place in Myanmar, Indonesia,
The Kanggye Zoo has been splendidly built in Jagang Province. The zoo located in the Oesan area of Kanggye City has ten-odd animal
December 15, 2025
The Kanggye Zoo has been splendidly built in Jagang Province. The zoo located in the Oesan area of Kanggye City has ten-odd animal
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers. The modern
December 15, 2025
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers. The modern
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
December 15, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
The Workers’ Party of Korea is powerfully carrying on the regional-industry revolution and the public health revolution,
December 14, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea is powerfully carrying on the regional-industry revolution and the public health revolution,
The Haeju Tilery was inaugurated in South Hwanghae Province. The tilery is furnished with modern equipment to fully supply
December 14, 2025
The Haeju Tilery was inaugurated in South Hwanghae Province. The tilery is furnished with modern equipment to fully supply
More Articles
