Mt Myohyang
Most tourist trips to North Korea include a drive to the northern part of the country to the Mt Myohyang (Mysterious Fragrant Mountain) resort area. It is nice to leave the big city and all its monuments behind to see a bit of the countryside. The pictures below are a combination from two trips to the area in 2009 and 2012.
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We were in North Korea near the end of rainy season, so harvesting had already begun in some areas.
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Some of the mountain scenery was really pretty and should be on postcards. The scenery was actually a lot prettier than I thought it would be. Rice fields in every direction as far as the eye could see.
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Of course, political slogans also decorate the countryside...
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We arrive at our hotel for the night, the Hyangsan Hotel. Definitely an eye-catching design!
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In the lobby of the Hyangsan Hotel, looking straight up.
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Smack dab in the middle of the lobby, plastic deer appear to be drinking ... nothing. That is, until one of the hotel staff members sees my camera and suddenly the waterfalls gush to life! The show only lasts as long as my camera is out of my bag.
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Amusing ourselves while trying to find our room. The signs weren't very helpful.
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Certainly original decor!
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Some light reading suggestions in the hotel lobby. Everything in this bookstore was a book either by the Great Leader or the Dear Leader, translated in a surprisingly high number of languages.
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Actual North Koreans! Our little group was the only one staying in this hotel, yet we were given back rooms facing nothing. Maybe they didn't want us to see anyone? This was taken from the restaurant where we were having breakfast.
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Some of the mountain scenery in the area. I didn't find it especially spectacular, but it was peaceful.
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Ticket taker at our next approved sightseeing stop, one of the only surviving Buddhist temples in North Korea. Notice that her pin shows both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. These became de rigueur after the death of Kim Jong Il in 2011.
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Pohyon Buddhist Temple. Finally something that isn't political! It's the first time in days we aren't hearing about how evil Americans are or how great the Kim family is. Oops, now she's telling us about how insensitive barbaric Americans bombed this place during the Korean War. Oh well.
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At least the mosaic artwork is pretty. Something to look at while we try to tune out the lady who is still telling us what heartless bastards we are.
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First constructed in 1042, the temple sits in lovely Sangwon Valley.
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One lone monk on the premises. A government dupe in disguise? He seemed authentic, but religion is not something the government in North Korea condones. How can there be anyone to worship other than the Great & Dear Leaders?
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Beautiful ceiling artwork on the temple grounds.
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The woodwork here is really amazing.
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The real reason why we were allowed to leave Pyongyang and drive up north. Here is the "International Friendship Exhibit", which is a giant collection of gifts from all over the world from various heads of state & organizations to the Great Leader. Some were indeed quite impressive, others border on the absurd. My favorite was the stuffed alligator holding a drink tray from Daniel Ortega -- "thus proving that even animals bow before the Great Leader," our guide gushed with enthusiasm. One of our tour members remarked with confidence that we could send a stuffed armadillo holding a Lone Star beer to the North Korean government and it would probably end up in this showcase as well...
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According to our guidebook, the gigantic heavy front door of the showroom is supposed to glide open effortlessly and mysteriously when pulled (notice the white glove provided). But it didn't seem to quite work out that way.
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Pictures inside were forbidden (of course). Cameras were removed from our possession as soon as we went inside. After seemingly hours of mind-numbing tedium and endless rooms of tribute to his greatness, we emerge into the sunlight for a well-deserved rest. Notice the cloth footcovers we were required to wear so as not to track dirt inside.
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Groups of North Koreans also come to gawk at the displays of gifts. Even from afar, you can see the individual pin each is required to wear on their chest.
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At first we thought we were going "home" after enjoying our drinks. But no. Now that we were done being enthralled by the endless showrooms of gifts to the Great Leader, it was time to visit the endless showrooms of gifts to his son, the Dear Leader!
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The doors slowly crank open as we get closer. What wonders would be encounter inside?!
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A couple closeup snapshots of the honor guards.
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A stop at the nearby Chongchon Hotel for lunch before the long drive back to Pyongyang.
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A couple pieces of propaganda near the Chongchon Hotel.
