Moran Hill in DPRK :: Weekly Blitz

Moran Hill rises on the right side of the Taedong River flowing through the centre of Pyongyang. Well known from olden times as a scenic spot, its name was derived from the fact that the peaks of the hill are shaped like a peony (moran in Korean).

It consists of several round peaks rising along the ridges to the north, the south and the west with the highest peak Choesungdae, 95 metres high, as the centre. To the north is Ryongnam Hill (47 metres high), to the south Mansu Hill, and to the east Chongnyu Cliff rising lengthwise. The Taedong River meandering Chongnyu Cliff and Rungna Islet lying lengthways in the middle of the river add beauty to the hill.

The hill has many scenic attractions, of which Ulmil Pavilion in spring and to the north is Ryongnam Hill (47 metres high), to the south Mansu Hill, and to the east Chongnyu Cliff rising lengthwise. The Taedong River meandering Chongnyu Cliff and Rungna Islet lying lengthways in the middle of the river add beauty to the hill.

The hill has many scenic attractions, of which Ulmil Pavilion in spring and Pubyok Pavilion on a moonlit night are so impressive that they have long been regarded as the ones of the eight beauty spots of Pyongyang.

The hill also has large and small artificial waterfalls, the most famous of which is the Moran Falls in Kyongsang Valley. Cascading over a 13-metre-high rocky cliff, the water hits a broad and flat rock, sending up clouds of spray, before flowing down the rock more than 20 metres into a pond.

The bluff Chongnyu Cliff features the Chongnyu Falls. Seen from the Rogum Pavilion, the waterfall cascading in three tiers is as beautiful as a picture. Around the falls there are an observation platform and resting places where you can feast your eyes on the scenic beauties of Moran Hill and the Taedong River.

The not deep valleys of the hill have lotus ponds adding to the surrounding scenery with groves.

After the Korean war (June 1950–July 1953) there were built Sungni Pavilion, Phyonghwa Pavilion, Aeryon Pavilion, Rogum Pavilion, Songga Pavilion, Sojak Pavilion, Ondal Belvedere and so on in the medium- height peaks of the hill and on its slopes to go well with old buildings such as Ulmil Pavilion and Choesung Pavilion. The hill also has swinging, ssirum (Korean wrestling) and seesawing sites here and there.

People frequent the hill to observe its many historic relics as well as its scenery. The relics include inner and outer forts from the period of Koguryo (277 BC–AD 668), Ulmil Pavilion, Choesung Pavilion, Chilsong Gate, Chongnyu Pavilion, Pubyok Pavilion, Jongum Gate, Hyonmu Gate and Tongam Gate and the like. The Ulmil and Choesung pavilions were used as generals' terraces for observation of invaders and command of battle in wartime, and Hyonmu and Chilsong gates were the gates to the forts.

The hill also has diverse fauna and flora. Over 180 species of plants can be found on the hill including coniferous trees such as nut pine trees and fir, latifoliate trees, peach, apricot, pear, chestnut and other fruit trees. The tops of peaks, valleys, groves and grass-plots feature various species of flowering plants such as azalea, sweet brier, magnolia, Weigela subsessilis Bailey, spiraea, royal azalea, lilac and Paeonialattiflora. The animals inhabiting the hill include pheasants, woodpeckers, orioles, owls, jays, hares and squirrels, and the hill annually draws over 70 species of migratory birds.

In Kyongsang Valley there are the Youth Park, the Youth Park Open-Air Theatre and a garden exhibition going well with the surrounding landscape. Kono Valley to the west of the hill has the Kaeson Youth Park equipped with the latest amusement facilities, adding pleasure to the people on a visit to the hill; there is the Moranbong Theatre on a ridge south of the hill, Kim Il Sung Stadium and the Arch of Triumph at the western foot of the hill, the Liberation Tower on a ridge right of Kyongsang Valley and the Friendship Tower on a ridge northwest of the hill.

Today the hill is frequented by people to enjoy themselves.

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