The world’s deepest subway station in North Korea

Pyongyang subway shuttle 300,000-600,000 passengers per day, are compared to the “lively creature” of the country. Andrea Yong Lee, founder of Uri Tours travel company specializing in North Korea-China tours, said this is definitely one of the “certain to visit” points for international visitors.

Pyongyang subway system used to be the deepest subway in the world, with a depth of 110 m, serving the Chollima and Hyoksin routes. The Chollima route runs north from Puhung station on the banks of the Taedong River to Pulgunbyol Station. The Hyoksin route runs from Kwangbok station in the southwest to Ragwon station in the northeast. These two routes intersect at Chonu station.

The depth helps the subway to maintain a temperature of 18-20 degrees Celsius, often the local guide of Uri Tours Company is a place “cool in the summer and warm in the winter”.

The Koreans build the subway system with the support of China and the Soviet Union, which is why the architectural and style of the Moscow subway system in Russia or the Kiev subway in Ukraine. The names of some stations in Pyongyang are translated into English for unity, rejuvenation, glory, victory, yellow field, red star, liberation and construction.

Each station displays paintings, portraits, chandeliers and sophisticated sculptures suitable for the topic of the station. The works made by Mansudae Art Workshop. Glory workshop and station are located under the Pyongyang train station, which is considered the largest and most monumental stations of the subway route.

Pyongyang subway system used to make a shelter for people from all attacks that could occur in the city. “You will go through three separate explosive shields built behind the wall and the ceiling covered with removable metal panels,” a local guide said.

In 1968, the number one Chollima route was started construction with 6 stations. In 1973, this route was opened to the public, the ticket price was less than one USD, regardless of the distance traveled. The ticket price has not changed to this day to make it the cheapest subway system in the world. In the early 1970s, the second Hyoksin route was started and operated in 1975.

The Koreans have attached portraits of leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il to each train as well as connecting the speakers to the Pyongyang underground radio with hourly updates and propaganda music.

In 1994, the Light Station on the second line was closed. Previously, this underground station led to the Kumsusan hall right above. The hall was later renovated and renamed the Kumsusan Memorial, where the body of the late leader Kim Il Sung let the public visit. The station has been closed since then, but it was possible to see the platform from the train window. In order to pay homage to leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, the train slowed down when passing the station.

In 2019, Triumph and Reunification stations on the first route were reopened after being completely renovated. In 2020, Comrades In Arms and Korean War Victory station allows passengers to transit between the one and two reforms.

Pyongyang subway has a museum that stores events that marks the launch of the subway in 1973, as well as future activities and plans.

“Taking the subway in Pyongyang is a special experience,” Hoai Phong, tourists in Ho Chi Minh City to North Korea in 2018 shared. Phong said that the people of Pyongyang “seem shy” when they first saw foreigners coming with. But high school and university students often know a little English or Chinese and love to chat with guests.

During the tour of North Korea, visitors will board the train at Rejuvenation. This is the last station, where most elderly people will board the train if they are one or two stations to make sure there are seats and if they go to the other end of the line.

Visitors are allowed to take photos inside the subway but should ask permission before taking local photos. “If you have the opportunity to set foot in North Korea, do not forget to check in Binh Pyong subway,” Phong said.