For anyone who's seen my video on the Korean State Railway
You'll know that Pyongyang Station is the heart of the National Railway Network
Well... beneath the grand station building sits Yonggwang Metro Station
the heart of Pyongyang's metro network
Well... not quite the heart...
in fact it's quite far out from the heart...
Ok.
For any local traveller arriving in Pyongyang by train, Yonggwang Station is the gateway to the Pyongyang Metro
Or 'Pyongyang Chihach'oldo'
So, first of all, what does the network look like?
For that, we'll have to ask ourselves the question that's printed on every map in every metro station on the network
[KOR] Odi-ro Kasiromnikka?
[ENG] Where are you going?
Well, starting at Puhung the Chollima Line passes through 8 stations, terminating at Pulkunbyol
The Chollima Line takes it's name from the winged horse of Korean mythology
The statue of Chollima in Pyongyang is served only by the Chollima Line, as opposed to the Hyoksin Line.
Hyoksin means Innovation and the Hyoksin Line also passes through 8 stations
This map doesn't quite do the network justice, so...
There we go. Much better.
Now with all that sorted, here's a brief history of the network.
Construction began on the Pyongyang Metro in 1965
The network, one of the deepest in the world at over 110m below ground in some places, was opened in stages between 1969 and 1973.
However, Yonggwang Station, beneath the railway station, and Puhung Station at the end of the Chollima Line, weren't completed until 1987.
These particular grandiose stations gave the Pyongyang Metro worldwide notoriety.
Since 1973, the network has become one of the city's most utilised forms of public transport.
Alongside the Tram Network completed in the 1990s
And the Trolleybus Network which has been running since the 1950s.
The Pyongyang Metro is estimated to cater to between 300 and 700K riders per day
Traversing 22.5km of track and helping locals commute to and from the centre of Pyongyang.
For years, myth grew around the Pyongyang Metro as tourists were only permitted to travel on a small section of the network.
However, today, both lines are traversable for foreign tourists.
All foreigners on the network will be part of a pre-arrange tour,
and so won't get a chance to experience the super low price locals pay for transit.
A standard ticket costs 5 won, about half a US cent.
Although nowadays, plastic metro cards have become more commonplace.
But anyway, what are the stations really like?
Well, let's imagine a local chap is heading into the city from south Pyongyang.
The southern terminus of the Chollima Line is Puhung or Renaissance Station.
Puhung Station sits just down the road from the internationally famous Mansudae Art Studio
And relatively close to Chongchun Sports Street in West Pyongyang
Travelling along the Chollima Line, we reach Yonggwang, or Glory Station.
This station serves the Pyongyang Railway Station as well as being close to Kim Chaek University of Technology and the Koryo Hotel.
one of the capital's most high-class hotels open to both foreigners and locals.
Continuing down the Chollima Line we arrive at Ponghwa, or Torch Station.
This stops is located right next door to the Party Founding Museum
Just down the road from Ponghwa is the Pyongyang Grand Theatre
The following two stations are the most central in the city.
First, Sungni, or Victory Station, is situated at the heart of Changjon Street.
This area is famous for its distinctive white modern-style buildings which tower over the heart of the city.
It's also the gateway to Kim Il Sung Square, Department Store No.1 & the Okryugwan Restaurant, as well as various government and civil buildings.
Next, Tongil, or Reunification Station.
The Tongil Station building sits on the opposite side of Victory Street from the Mansudae Grand Monument.
The stunning 22m high statues of the President Kim Il Sung and the General Kim Jong Il
Also nearby, the Chollima Statue, Moranbong Park and the Liberation Tower.
Continuing down the line, we stop at Kaeson, or Triumph Station.
The station building opens out onto the Arch of Triumph
An enormous celebratory arch built to commemorate the anti-Japanese conflict between 1925 and 1945.
Passengers heading to Kim Il Sung Stadium or the Kaeson Funfair should also alight here.
The next stop on the Chollima Line is Chonu, or Comrade Station.
Located beneath the stunning new development on Ryomyong Street, Chonu is located just up the road from Chonsung Station on the Hyoksin Line.
Travellers looking to transfer to the other line should switch stations here.
Further up the track, Pulkunbyol, or Red Star Station, is the terminus of the Chollima Line.
Situated just down the road from the Three Revolutions Exhibition;
a large venue documenting the Korean Revolution in the fields of Ideology, Culture and Technology.
Returning to Chonu Station, a transfer to Chonsung Station requires a brief walk up Ryomyong Street.
Up to the April 25 House of Culture.
Often the site of important cultural events, including Worker's Party Congress meetings.
Heading east from Chonsung, we pass through two stations;
Samhung, or Three Revolutions Station is located between two of the country's most prestigious universities.
Kim Il Sung University is the highest-ranking university in the DPRK.
Meanwhile, the University of Foreign Studies on the opposite side of the road is the origin of many of the DPRK's top diplomats.
The terminus of the Hyoksin Line in east Pyongyang is Rakwon, or Paradise Station.
Situated in front of the Pyongyang Central Zoo, which caters to any local or tourist with a desire to walk through a tiger's mouth;
the station also serves the Pyongyang Botanical Gardens.
The line also terminates just in front of the Revolutionary Martyr's Cemetery. The resting place of many famous anti-Japanese Revolutionaries.
Including the first wife of the President Kim Il Sung; Comrade Kim Jong Suk.
Heading west from Chonsung however, the Hyoksin Line passes through it's namesake stop.
Hyoksin, or Innovation Station, is nestled in a quiet corner of Pyongyang on the banks of the Potonggang.
From here, the line passes through the ever-expanding Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum
before stopping at Konsol, or Construction Station.
Konsol is located outside the mammoth Ryugyong Hotel in the heart of Pyongyang.
The city's most distinctive feature, this hotel, despite not being open yet, is covered in LEDs providing incredible displays for the city at night.
The next station is Hwanggumbol, or Golden Field Station.
Again, another quiet station, it's nearest attraction sits on the opposite side of the Potonggang;
The Pyongyang Ice Rink.
Continuing along the Hyoksin Line, we arrive at Konguk, or (National) Foundation Station.
This stop is the penultimate station on our journey an sits opposite the Potonggang Station
on the Pyongnam Line which leaves Pyongyang and heads southwest towards the port city of Nampo.
Finally, we reach Kwangbok, or Liberation Station.
Kwangbok Street is one of Pyongyang's major arterial roads and is lined with important government and civilian buildings; including apartments, restaurants and shops.
All topped off with some distinctive architecture.
The Pyongyang Metro provides a seamless and stylish method of transport around the capital.
For local Pyongyangers heading to the railway station to catch the train, the transition from underground to overground at Yonggwang couldn't be smoother... Almost as smooth as my shameless plug for my other video.
If you've enjoyed this, please check out my video on the Korean State Railway Network. Thanks for watching.