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PYONGYANG
P'yongyang is the picture perfect Asian destination with a strong hint of urbanisation. Such modernised reputation got attached to the city due to its complete planned reconstruction following the devastation of the Korean War. Over the years, P'yongyang emerged as the centre point of North Korea’s politics, economics, culture, and tourism, hence, aptly suits the distinction as capital city of the country. Occupying an area of 2600 square kilometers, P'yongyang bustles on the bank of Taedong River and houses a population of 3.8 million approximately. The city has been the heart of the Korean civilisation that prospered in the whole peninsula. The beautiful remnants from the past are now treasured as national landmarks in P'yongyang.
P'yongyang has been the political and administrative focal point of this part of Asia for a long time. It was once the capital of Goguryeo Dynasty, founded by Jumong and Goguryeo, the very first nation of the Korean peninsula. Then it became the provincial capital of the P'yŏngan Province and South P'yŏngan Province, before becoming the centre of Democratic People's Republic of Korea under Soviet rule. The present day P'yongyang is administered as a Directly Governed City that is equivalent to provincial governments. It witnessed mass destruction during wartime with South Korea. However, it was quickly rebuild with modern accommodations and buildings that had strong Stalinist influence. Today wide avenues lined by uniform structures and willow tress create a picturesque setting for the city. The existence of willow trees in abundance over the P'yongyang landscape gifted the city with the other name of Ryugyŏng or "capital of willows". In recent years the North Korean government adhered to more liberalisation in its policy making and P'yongyang came to full bloom as a popular tourist destination. Several hotels and bed and breakfasts have come up in the city. The Daedongmun, Botongmun, Joseon Revolutionary Museum, Joseon Art Museum, Botonggang River Park and Dongmyeongwangreung Grave are some of the famous sites of city. The warm residents of P'yongyang often let their apartments for rent to accommodate the youth crowd that failed to manage a stay at the low-budget hostels.
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