Top Things To Do In Kumsusan Palace Of The Sun (Pyongyang) In 2026 - 2027

Top 6 things to do in Kumsusan Palace of the Sun

1. 1. Guided Tour of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun

   The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, formerly known as the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, and sometimes referred to as the Kim Il-sung Mausoleum, is the mausoleum for Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea, and his son Kim Jong-il. A visit to this iconic building is a solemn affair, showcasing the deep reverence for the former leaders. The guided tour offers visitors a carefully choreographed experience starting with a long walk on moving walkways, passing through numerous security checks, and finally reaching the inner sanctum wherein the embalmed bodies of the leaders are displayed in glass sarcophagi. Visitors are expected to dress formally and follow strict behavioral protocols, including bowing at the feet and sides of the leaders' bodies. Photography inside the palace is prohibited. The experience is both a deep-dive into North Korea's political culture and a unique journey through grandiose halls and corridors, all aimed at reinforcing the grandeur of the DPRK's ruling dynasty.

   Duration: 2-3 hours · Price: Included in most guided tours to North Korea, as individual tourism is not permitted

2. 2. Viewing of the Leaders' Statues

   Throughout the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, visitors will find several statues and images of the Great Leaders. The tour includes time spent observing these representations, which depict Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il in various poses of leadership and guidance. Viewers will notice the attention to detail and the craft involved in creating these images that serve not only as art but as powerful symbols of the State's political ideology. Guides typically provide commentary on the significance of the statues and the proper etiquette required while viewing them. This segment of the tour provides an intimate look at the way the leaders continue to be honoured and immortalized in North Korean culture.