nature science history

Take a Ride on the Mysterious Pyongyang Metro in North Korea

take a ride in the pyongyang metro 1

The Pyongyang Metro is the deepest in the world, buried 100 meters below the surface, which means it conveniently doubles as a nuclear bunker. It mostly operates on the west bank of Pyongyang with 17 stops on two lines. It was first opened in 1973, and the last station was added to line 1 in 1987. Before 2010 tourists were only allowed to travel between Puhŭng Station and Yŏnggwang Station, sparking a conspiracy theory that the two stations comprised the entire system. Here’s a rare glance into the underground life of the North Korean capital.

Pyongyang Metro
Entering the Pyongyang Metro. Image credit: Kristoferb
take a ride in the pyongyang metro 1b
Staff in a military-style uniform. Image credit: Laika ac
Pyongyang Metro
Going down the escalator. Image credit: Topolinochamp
Pyongyang Metro
Escalator guard.
Pyongyang Metro
Image credit: Roman Bansen
Pyongyang Metro
Former East German trains are used throughout the Pyongyang Metro. Image credit: Shôn Ellerton
Pyongyang Metro
Mosaic in Pyongyang Metro. Image credit: TBC
Pyongyang Metro
North Koreans riding the Pyongyang Metro in 2012. The portraits above the door are of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. Image credit: Nicor
Pyongyang Metro
Sitting in the dark. Image credit: Uri Tours
Pyongyang Metro
Image credit: Gilad Rom
Pyongyang Metro
Mosaic in Pyongyang Metro. Image credit: Uri Tours
Pyongyang Metro
Puhŭng Station. Image credit: Topolinochamp
Pyongyang Metro
Public newspaper reading stand in Pyongyang metro. Image credit: Roman Bansen
Pyongyang Metro
A statue of Kim Il-sung at Kaesŏn Station. Image credit: Clay Gilliland
Pyongyang Metro
Kaeson station. Image credit: Kounosu
Pyongyang Metro
Rush hour in Pyongyang Metro. Image credit: Gilad Rom
Pyongyang Metro
Chandelier at Yŏnggwang Station. Image credit: Topolinochamp
Ponghwa Station. Pyongyang Metro, North Korea
Ponghwa Station. Image credit: (stephan)
Pyongyang Metro, North Korea
Building of Pulgunbyol station. Image credit: Kounosu
Pyongyang Metro, North Korea
Pyongyang Metro map at Kaesŏn Station. Image credit: Topolinochamp

EXCITING NEWS! EARTHLY MISSION IS GOING COMPLETELY AD FREE FROM APRIL 18, 2024! But we won’t put it behind a paywall, as we believe that information on the internet should be freely available to everybody. However, maintaining a website without ads and a paywall requires your support. So if you can, please buy us a coffee or even keep us going in the long run - by doing so, you are promoting independent journalism and a sustainable future! Thank you.

Donate
Written by Tamás Varga
Photo of author
A sociologist and English major by degree, I've worked in the area of civil society & human rights and have been blogging in the fields of travel, nature & science for over 20 years.
Earthly Mission