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Old photos of Pyongyang

17 photographs of Pyongyang, from 1907 to 2019 — each pinned to the exact place it was taken.

Have an old photo of Pyongyang? A family album, a postcard, a print from the attic. Pin it to the map and it becomes part of the record.
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What the photos show

The 17 photographs of Pyongyang on PlaceWas span 6 decades, from 1907 to 2019. 8 of them were taken before 1980; the other 9 are recent views of the same streets and landmarks.3 spots were photographed more than once, so you can compare the same street, square or building across the years.17 of the photos carry a written caption explaining what is in the frame. Every picture is pinned to the place it was taken, so the map below shows where the photographers stood.

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Places in Pyongyang through time

Spots photographed more than once — compare the same place across the years.

Ulmil Pavilion, Pyongyang — photos through time
Ulmil Pavilion 5 photos · 1910–2019
EU: Huizen in Pyongyang (1907), Pyongyang — photos through time
EU: Huizen in Pyongyang (1907) 3 photos · 1907
Mansudae Grand Monument Pyongyand, DPRK, Pyongyang — photos through time
Mansudae Grand Monument Pyongyand, DPRK 2 photos · 2013–2019

Stories from Pyongyang

What contributors wrote about these photographs.

Yongmyongsa Pyongyang, Pyongyang, 1930
Yongmyongsa Pyongyang 1930 This 1930 photograph shows Yongmyong Pavilion in Pyongyang, a historic structure overlooking the Taedong River long associated with scenic views of the city. It captures the site during the period of Japanese colonial…
1949년의 모란봉 일대, Pyongyang, 1949
1949년의 모란봉 일대 1949 This 1949 photograph shows the Moran Hill (Moranbong) area of Pyongyang, a hilltop district long valued for its views over the Taedong River. The image was taken in the North Korean capital in the year before the…
Mansudae Grand Monument Pyongyand, DPRK, Pyongyang, 2013
Mansudae Grand Monument Pyongyand, DPRK 2013 The Mansudae Grand Monument in Pyongyang, photographed in 2013, features large bronze statues on Mansu Hill honoring North Korea's leadership. The Kim Il Sung statue was unveiled in 1972, with a statue of Kim Jong Il…
Moranbong Park 02, Pyongyang, 2014
Moranbong Park 02 2014 Moran Hill Park, photographed in 2014, is a popular public park in central Pyongyang built around a low hill overlooking the Taedong River. It contains pavilions and walking paths with views over the North Korean…
Junction road to May Day Stadium, Rungna Island, Pyongyang, 2019
Junction road to May Day Stadium, Rungna Island 2019 This 2019 photograph shows a road junction leading to the Rungrado May Day Stadium on Rungna Island in Pyongyang, North Korea. Completed in 1989, the stadium is among the largest in the world by seating capacity.
Moranbong Park - 04, Pyongyang, 2019
Moranbong Park - 04 2019 Overlooking the Taedong River, this section of Moranbong Park in central Pyongyang was photographed in 2019, showing the hillside park long used as a public gathering space in the North Korean capital.
Road bridge on Rungna Island, Pyongyang, Pyongyang, 2019
Road bridge on Rungna Island, Pyongyang 2019 A road bridge crossing to Rungna Island in the Taedong River is pictured here in 2019; the island in Pyongyang, North Korea, is home to the Rungrado May Day Stadium and other recreational facilities.
Pyongyang panorama from road bridge - 04, Pyongyang, 2019
Pyongyang panorama from road bridge - 04 2019 This 2019 photograph offers a panoramic view of Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, as seen from a road bridge crossing the Taedong River, the waterway that runs through the center of the city.
1900s · 3 photos
1910s · 2 photos
1920s · 1 photo
1930s · 1 photo
1940s · 1 photo
2010s · 9 photos