At present, people can do skating or swimming in all seasons as there are relevant facilities.
In general, however, they still want to go sea bathing on the beach in hot summer and go skating and skiing in the open air in winter when everything is covered with snow.
An open-air ice rink located in downtown Pyongyang is a favourite haunt of many citizens this winter.
It starts service in the evening when darkness sets in. It presents a spectacular night view with floodlights, garden lamps and decorative illuminations going well with the surroundings, even delighting passersby.
According to its staffer, it opened right before the New Year’s Day of this year and a growing number of people have come there since then.
“Skating, a whole body exercise, is an ideal sport for everyone, men and women, and young and old. Regular skating has a positive effect on heart, lung and other internal organs. Especially, young people and students can improve their physical strength through regular skating in winter,” he added.
“The atmosphere is really good. I feel as if I am a figure skater as I skate to the tune of music on the ice rink decorated with colourful lights under the starry sky,” said girl student Pang Ye Gyong wearing a pair of skates she borrowed at a skate lending room.
Schoolboys swiftly thread their way through the crowds of skaters, some middle-aged people struggle to balance themselves but fail and fall and a group of five or six schoolgirls try to catch the tail of other group. All of them beam with joy and the puffs of their breath add more to the cheerful mood at the ice rink in good harmony with the ambient lighting.
Some little kids plead with their parents to let them do skating as sled riding is boring and some aged persons “grumble” that they come to the ice rink every day pestered by their grandchildren.
“I have been compelled to come here again today with my seven-year-old granddaughter. Although she put on a pair of skates for the first time yesterday, she is now gliding on the ice better than I expected. I am deeply grateful to the Party for taking all kinds of measures to provide the people with better conditions for cultural and leisure activities,” said Ri Yong Ok living in Janghun-dong No. 3, Mangyongdae District.
Instructors of the ice rink provide kind service to beginners to help them acquire the knack of skating with ease.
The open-air ice rink is vibrant in the evening, filled with happy laughter of skating people.
More From Pyongyang Times
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov at a press conference on March 6 gave Finland a warning as to its announcement
March 12, 2026
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov at a press conference on March 6 gave Finland a warning as to its announcement
The 25th Winter Paralympics opened in Italy on March 6. At the opening ceremony held on the theme of “Active life”, the
March 12, 2026
The 25th Winter Paralympics opened in Italy on March 6. At the opening ceremony held on the theme of “Active life”, the
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, sent a reply message to Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of
March 12, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, sent a reply message to Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of
Amid the continued tests of operational efficiency of the destroyer Choe Hyon of the Navy of the Korean People's Army, a strategic
March 11, 2026
Amid the continued tests of operational efficiency of the destroyer Choe Hyon of the Navy of the Korean People's Army, a strategic
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denounced the West’s policy hostile toward his country on March 5. The aim of the
March 11, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denounced the West’s policy hostile toward his country on March 5. The aim of the
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is under way in Australia.Divided into three groups, twelve teams play league matches, and winners
March 11, 2026
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is under way in Australia.Divided into three groups, twelve teams play league matches, and winners
A spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry at a press conference on March 6 expressed the stand to safeguard the national
March 11, 2026
A spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry at a press conference on March 6 expressed the stand to safeguard the national
The machine-building industry sector is working hard to consolidate its material and technical foundations. The Ryongsong Machine
March 11, 2026
The machine-building industry sector is working hard to consolidate its material and technical foundations. The Ryongsong Machine
Production is going on at the modern regional-industry factories built as the first outcomes of the regional development policy of
March 11, 2026
Production is going on at the modern regional-industry factories built as the first outcomes of the regional development policy of
The Kazakh government recently announced a plan for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The plan reflects the
March 10, 2026
The Kazakh government recently announced a plan for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The plan reflects the
An event took place at the Rungna People’s Sports Park in Pyongyang on March 8 to mark the AFC Women’s Football Day.Present there
March 10, 2026
An event took place at the Rungna People’s Sports Park in Pyongyang on March 8 to mark the AFC Women’s Football Day.Present there
A national meeting took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on March 18, the 116th International Women's Day.
March 10, 2026
A national meeting took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on March 18, the 116th International Women's Day.
The National Inter-provincial Riding Contest-2026 was held at the Mirim Riding Club in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, to mark
March 10, 2026
The National Inter-provincial Riding Contest-2026 was held at the Mirim Riding Club in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, to mark
Women across the DPRK commemorated the 116th March 8 International Women's Day. Many people visited the Kumsusan Palace of the
March 10, 2026
Women across the DPRK commemorated the 116th March 8 International Women's Day. Many people visited the Kumsusan Palace of the
A dance party of women’s union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on March 8, the 1
March 10, 2026
A dance party of women’s union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on March 8, the 1
According to data available, well over 70 000 tall trees of dozens of species including zelkova, Korean spruce and white birch
March 10, 2026
According to data available, well over 70 000 tall trees of dozens of species including zelkova, Korean spruce and white birch
As the whole country is brimming with love and respect for and warm congratulations to the women who are building the bright
March 09, 2026
As the whole country is brimming with love and respect for and warm congratulations to the women who are building the bright
Greeting March 8, I, with my warmest feelings, extend congratulations to all our Korean women, for whom I have affection and respe
March 09, 2026
Greeting March 8, I, with my warmest feelings, extend congratulations to all our Korean women, for whom I have affection and respe
Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone called for developing agriculture by relying on their own efforts in a speech at a
March 09, 2026
Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone called for developing agriculture by relying on their own efforts in a speech at a
Mass rallies took place in cities and counties of the DPRK on March 6 and 7 to vow to implement the decisions of the Ninth
March 09, 2026
Mass rallies took place in cities and counties of the DPRK on March 6 and 7 to vow to implement the decisions of the Ninth
More Articles