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
March 21 is International Day of Forests. The UN General Assembly held in 2012 designated March 21 as International Day of Forests
March 22, 2026
March 21 is International Day of Forests. The UN General Assembly held in 2012 designated March 21 as International Day of Forests
Such commemorative events as seminar, book exhibition and film show were held at the Khabarovsk Territorial Branch of the United
March 22, 2026
Such commemorative events as seminar, book exhibition and film show were held at the Khabarovsk Territorial Branch of the United
May 22 is World Water Day.According to the decision made at the 47th session of the UN General Assembly in 1992, the day has been
March 22, 2026
May 22 is World Water Day.According to the decision made at the 47th session of the UN General Assembly in 1992, the day has been
The strike and demonstration staged by women workers in Chicago, the US, on March 8 117 years ago were an eruption of their wrath
March 21, 2026
The strike and demonstration staged by women workers in Chicago, the US, on March 8 117 years ago were an eruption of their wrath
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
March 20, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
In recent years a dramatic change has taken place in the agricultural production in the country. The Workers’ Party of Korea has
March 20, 2026
In recent years a dramatic change has taken place in the agricultural production in the country. The Workers’ Party of Korea has
The South African Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation called the US ambassador to the country on March 11 to
March 20, 2026
The South African Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation called the US ambassador to the country on March 11 to
The State Stamp Bureau of the DPRK issued new stamps (two sheets and six individuals) in commemoration of the Ninth Congress of
March 20, 2026
The State Stamp Bureau of the DPRK issued new stamps (two sheets and six individuals) in commemoration of the Ninth Congress of
Grand choruses were performed respectively by graduating class students of senior middle schools in North Phyongan Province and
March 20, 2026
Grand choruses were performed respectively by graduating class students of senior middle schools in North Phyongan Province and
The Fourth Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference took place in Beijing
March 19, 2026
The Fourth Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference took place in Beijing
Vladimir Topeha, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy in Pyongyang, hosted a reception at the Taedonggang
March 19, 2026
Vladimir Topeha, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy in Pyongyang, hosted a reception at the Taedonggang
According to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un's grand plan for capital city construction and under his energetic guidance, the
March 19, 2026
According to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un's grand plan for capital city construction and under his energetic guidance, the
Graduating class students of senior middle schools in North Hamgyong Province have volunteered for forefront border military
March 19, 2026
Graduating class students of senior middle schools in North Hamgyong Province have volunteered for forefront border military
The people-first politics administered by the Workers’ Party of Korea is a political mode of solving all problems in complete
March 19, 2026
The people-first politics administered by the Workers’ Party of Korea is a political mode of solving all problems in complete
The Samgwang Livestock Farm in Unjon County of North Phyongan Province can be claimed to be a combined enterprise in which animal
March 19, 2026
The Samgwang Livestock Farm in Unjon County of North Phyongan Province can be claimed to be a combined enterprise in which animal
The 2026 Spring National Sports Festival opened with due ceremony at the Ice Rink in Pyongyang on March 17. The festival will be
March 19, 2026
The 2026 Spring National Sports Festival opened with due ceremony at the Ice Rink in Pyongyang on March 17. The festival will be
The Workers’ Party of Korea is constantly increasing its policies for the people to promote their wellbeing and realize their
March 18, 2026
The Workers’ Party of Korea is constantly increasing its policies for the people to promote their wellbeing and realize their
The Russian permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on March 12 disclosed and denounc
March 18, 2026
The Russian permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on March 12 disclosed and denounc
Former Taekwon-Do star becomes competent coach Sa Ok Jin, a coach of the Ryongaksan Taekwon-Do Team, was selected as one of top
March 18, 2026
Former Taekwon-Do star becomes competent coach Sa Ok Jin, a coach of the Ryongaksan Taekwon-Do Team, was selected as one of top
Officials and workers in the metallurgical industry of the DPRK are making innovations while taking development-oriented measures
March 18, 2026
Officials and workers in the metallurgical industry of the DPRK are making innovations while taking development-oriented measures
More Articles
