Check these Photos Of North Korea’s huge, weird buildings

In a country that keeps so much under wraps, the architecture ends up speaking volumes. 

Entering the capital city of Pyongyang, visitors pass through the Arch of Reunification. The two women holding a conjoined North and South Korea symbolize supreme leader Kim Il Sung’s vision for the two countries.

Entering the capital city of Pyongyang, visitors pass through the Arch of Reunification. The two women holding a conjoined North and South Korea symbolize supreme leader Kim Il Sung's vision for the two countries.

Nick Bonner

Immediately, visitors are struck by the Workers’ Party Monument. The outer belt reads, “Long live the Workers’ Party of Korea, the organizer and guide of all victories of the Korean people!”

Immediately, visitors are struck by the Workers' Party Monument. The outer belt reads, "Long live the Workers' Party of Korea, the organizer and guide of all victories of the Korean people!"

Nick Bonner

Downtown Pyongyang’s skyline is punctuated by the 105-story Ryugyong Hotel, currently the tallest abandoned building in the world. It hasn’t had any work done on it since 1992.

Downtown Pyongyang's skyline is punctuated by the 105-story Ryugyong Hotel, currently the tallest abandoned building in the world. It hasn't had any work done on it since 1992.

Damir Sagolj/Reuters

On the other side of the city, the 558-feet-tall Juche Tower looms above the Taedong River.

On the other side of the city, the 558-feet-tall Juche Tower looms above the Taedong River.

Damir Sagolj/Reuters

Some of North Korea’s most impressive (and intimidating) architecture lives in the city center, such as the sprawling Manyongdae Children’s Palace. It features two “arms” meant to imitate a mother’s embrace.

Some of North Korea's most impressive (and intimidating) architecture lives in the city center, such as the sprawling Manyongdae Children's Palace. It features two "arms" meant to imitate a mother's embrace.

Nick Bonner

North Korea doesn’t have enough of its own electricity, so at night the entire country goes pitch black. What little remains goes toward illuminating a picture of the country’s founder, Kim Il-Sung.

North Korea doesn't have enough of its own electricity, so at night the entire country goes pitch black. What little remains goes toward illuminating a picture of the country's founder, Kim Il-Sung.

Damir Sagolj/Reuters

These buildings wouldn’t be possible without the thousands of laborers who are forced to work long hours to build them.

These buildings wouldn't be possible without the thousands of laborers who are forced to work long hours to build them.

Damir Sagolj/Reuters

The conditions are often poor, if not downright treacherous.

The conditions are often poor, if not downright treacherous.

Damir Sagolj/Reuters

Much of the country’s architecture is meant to honor North Korea’s leaders, Kim Il-Sung, who led between 1972 and 1994, and Kim Jong Il, who followed Sung until his own death in 2011.

Much of the country's architecture is meant to honor North Korea's leaders, Kim Il-Sung, who led between 1972 and 1994, and Kim Jong Il, who followed Sung until his own death in 2011.

KCNA/Reuters

The two men are proudly memorialized all around Pyongyang, most obviously at the People’s Grand Assembly Hall.

The two men are proudly memorialized all around Pyongyang, most obviously at the People's Grand Assembly Hall.

Damir Sagolj/Reuters

One building in central Pyongyang reads, “The great comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il will be with us forever.”

One building in central Pyongyang reads, "The great comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il will be with us forever."

Damir Sagolj/Reuters

Disregarding the blatant propaganda, there are many aspects of North Korean architecture that are genuinely impressive. The metro station is among the most ornate in the world.

Disregarding the blatant propaganda, there are many aspects of North Korean architecture that are genuinely impressive. The metro station is among the most ornate in the world.

Damir Sagolj/Reuters

Perhaps unsurprisingly, North Korea is also home to the largest sports arena in the world, May Day Stadium.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, North Korea is also home to the largest sports arena in the world, May Day Stadium.

KCNA/Reuters

Filled to capacity, it’s capable of holding 150,000 people. Most often, it’s used for the annual Mass Games, which pay tribute to the country’s history.

Filled to capacity, it's capable of holding 150,000 people. Most often, it's used for the annual Mass Games, which pay tribute to the country's history.

Amid the bleakness of everyday life, people also manage to find time to have fun at the Munsu Water Park.

Amid the bleakness of everyday life, people also manage to find time to have fun at the Munsu Water Park.

KCNA/Reuters

Then there are the dancing festivals that take place beside the Arch of Triumph. This one was held by the womens’ union to celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army.

Then there are the dancing festivals that take place beside the Arch of Triumph. This one was held by the womens' union to celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army.

KCNA/Reuters

Science also plays a big role in North Korea. The Sci-Tech Complex, for example, was built in the shape of an atom and opened earlier this year.

Science also plays a big role in North Korea. The Sci-Tech Complex, for example, was built in the shape of an atom and opened earlier this year.

KCNA/Reuters

The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has said he hopes the center will help “advance the establishment of a rich and powerful fatherland through the locomotive of science and technology.”

The country's leader, Kim Jong Un, has said he hopes the center will help "advance the establishment of a rich and powerful fatherland through the locomotive of science and technology."

KCNA/Reuters

The structure joins the Mirae Scientists Street, which North Korea wants to use as its hub for becoming a global force in innovation.

The structure joins the Mirae Scientists Street, which North Korea wants to use as its hub for becoming a global force in innovation.

KCNA/Reuters

Some apartment buildings sport solar panels.

Some apartment buildings sport solar panels.

Reuters

Many of the buildings stand out for their bold color palettes and industrial feel.

Many of the buildings stand out for their bold color palettes and industrial feel.

Damir Sagolj/Reuters

In a country that routinely goes dark, brief celebrations may be one of the only sources of nighttime brightness.

In a country that routinely goes dark, brief celebrations may be one of the only sources of nighttime brightness.

KCNA/Reuters

Which, in a country so focused on maintaining control, may mean things are going according to plan.

Which, in a country so focused on maintaining control, may mean things are going according to plan.

KCNA/Reuters

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