Plizio Visual Lab

Ryugyong Hotel

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

Weather…

The Ryugyong Hotel is a pyramid-shaped skyscraper in Pyongyang, internationally recognized for its unique form and prolonged construction history. Standing at 330 meters tall with 105 floors, construction began in 1987 with the goal of becoming the world's tallest hotel. However, following the economic collapse after the fall of the Soviet Union, work ceased in 1992, leaving the building as an unfinished concrete shell for over 15 years. Construction finally resumed in 2008 with the help of an Egyptian conglomerate, resulting in the installation of a full glass facade by 2011. Despite the completion of the exterior, the interior remains largely unfinished and closed to the public, and it does not currently function as a hotel. Since 2018, the facade has been utilized as a massive LED display, broadcasting animated light shows and political slogans at night. The building remains the most prominent feature of the Pyongyang skyline, symbolizing both architectural ambition and economic challenges.

Location: North Korea
Top sights: Tomŏri-san · Pothong River Improvement Project Monument · Sinso Bridge
Nearby: Mount Ryongak (13 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-6	-3	3	9	16	22	24	24	19	13	4	-3
Rain mm	9	18	23	54	76	98	281	236	97	46	47	17

📋 Practical info

🚪

Visiting

The Ryugyong Hotel is an unfinished 105-story skyscraper in Pyongyang, which can be viewed from the outside. The interior is not accessible as the building was never completed and remains unoccupied.

🕒

Typical hours

Since the building cannot be entered, there are no opening hours - the exterior is visible around the clock. The best view is during the day in good weather when the silhouette is clearly recognizable.

📷

Photography

Photography from the outside is possible from public areas, but you should be aware of local laws regarding photographing buildings in Pyongyang. It is advisable to be discreet and avoid capturing military installations in the background.

⏱️

Time needed

A quick photo stop in front of the building takes just 5 to 10 minutes. Those who want to explore the area and nearby attractions should allow 30 to 60 minutes.

➕

Combine with

Combine the visit with a walk along the Taedong River or a visit to Kim Il-sung Square, just a few kilometers away. The Juche Tower is also a nearby landmark that can be seen from afar.

🧭

Getting there

The hotel is located in central Pyongyang, near Pyongyang Station, and is accessible by metro or taxi. Foreign visitors typically require a tour guide and permission for certain areas.

💡

Insider tip

Since the building cannot be entered, find a good viewpoint on the opposite side of the Taedong River for the best photo. Check current travel regulations for North Korea before your trip.

Geography

Coordinates

39.03640, 125.73030

Facts

At 330 meters, it is the tallest building in North Korea.
Construction began in 1987 and the exterior was finalized only in 2011.
The hotel features 105 floors and a total floor area of 360,000 square meters.
It was originally intended to house 3,000 rooms and revolving restaurants.
The facade display consists of over 100,000 LEDs added in 2018.
The structural design consists of three wings, each measuring 100 meters in length.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum<1 km · NExplore →

Taedong River2 km · NEExplore →

Arch of Triumph, Pyongyang3 km · NExplore →

USS Pueblo (AGER-2)4 km · NExplore →

Taesong Reservoir Fishing Area5 km · SWExplore →

Mangyongdae Funfair6 km · SExplore →

Arch of Reunification6 km · SEExplore →

Rungrado 1st of May Stadium6 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Ryugyong Hotel (9)

Tomŏri-san🌿 nature

A mountain peak providing a wide view over the outskirts of Pyongyang.

Pothong River Improvement Project Monument🏺 historical

A monument commemorating the 1946 Pothong River improvement and regulation project.

Sinso Bridge📍 landmark

A bridge spanning the Pothong River near the war museum complex.

Fatherland Liberation War Museum 🏛 museum

A massive museum displaying military hardware and the captured USS Pueblo spy ship.

Ragwon Bridge📍 landmark

A modern concrete bridge crossing the Pothong River in the city center.

Pyongyang Embroidery Research Institute🎭 culture

An arts centre founded in 1947 dedicated to traditional Korean embroidery research.

Ponghwa Bridge📍 landmark

Built in 1973, this bridge connects key districts over the Pothong River.

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum🏛 museum

An extensive museum complex featuring dioramas and tanks from the Korean War.

Pongsu Church⛪ religious

One of the few active Protestant churches located in the North Korean capital.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you stay at the Ryugyong Hotel?

No, the hotel is currently not open to guests.

How many floors does the building have?

The pyramid-shaped building has a total of 105 floors.

Is it allowed to photograph the hotel?

Yes, photographing the exterior facade from the street is allowed.

Is there a light show at night?

Yes, the facade is equipped with thousands of LEDs that show animations at night.

When did construction begin?

Construction began back in 1987.

Ryugyong Hotel: where is it located?

Ryugyong Hotel is located in North Korea.

Ryugyong Hotel: what is there to see?

Highlights include Tomŏri-san, Pothong River Improvement Project Monument, Sinso Bridge.

Ryugyong Hotel: when is the best time to visit?