culture

Rungna Islet is one of the scenic spots in Pyongyang.

The islet formed by accumulation of sediments in the Taedong River is 2.71 kilometres long, 6 kilometres round and about 10 metres above sea level on average.

The name of the islet in the Taedong River is derived from the sight of weeping willows with their long thin branches hanging down above the river like the spread rolls of silk. 

The sight of mallards dabbling on the river meandering round the edge of Chongnyu Cliff of Moran Hill well-known for its scenic peaks is spectacular against the backdrop of the landscape of the islet.

Located on the islet are May Day Stadium which looks like a magnolia blossom in full bloom, the Rungna People’s Recreation Ground and Pyongyang International Football School.

The sports park near the football school has a football pitch, badminton, tennis and basketball courts and other sports grounds.

Keen amateurs practise sports skills or play matches there. Their faces are full of the joy of honing skills through continuous training, the pleasure of winners and the satisfaction after relieving fatigue through exercises.

The Rungna Amusement Park is a favourite haunt of many people.

A sightseeing vehicle shuttles between districts 1 and 2 of the park for the convenience of visitors. Its resemblance to a steam engine makes it more eye-catching.

When the evening glow is reflected on the ripples of the Taedong River and electric lights are on, the park rings with howls of laughter.

The brightly-illuminated amusement facilities, such as the mad mouse with a steep, serpentine track, the octopus merry-go-round which revolves so fast that riders cannot distinguish the sky from the earth, the vertical swing and the wind shear, resound with continuous cheers of excitement.

The amusement arcade full of various game machines is a crowd-puller, and the Rungna 4D Simulation Cinema always has a full house.

Visitors experience the wonders of the ecological environment of the Jurassic era and the life-like fights of dinosaurs amid fear and tension, the fright of suddenly facing a shark in the Antarctic, the joy of zipping downhill at the snow-covered Masikryong Ski Resort and the thrill of crushing enemy ships on a bomber. They can also have a trip to world famous relics.

The Rungnado restaurant, noodle house, laver rice roll house and pancake house also satisfy the customers with distinctive services.

In sultry summer, the Rungna Water Park is always crowded.

Water-sliding is the most popular activity in the water park, which is equipped with a diving tower, water slides, several pools and courts for volleyball, basketball and beach volleyball.

The sight of people sliding down on floats from the 18-metre-high tower along tracks with an incline of nearly 60 degrees offers a vicarious thrill. 

Political and cultural festivals of national significance and major sports games are held at May Day Stadium with 150 000 seats. The stadium in a distinctive architectural style brims with great excitement whenever grand mass gymnastics, artistic performances and sports games are held there.

There is also the national ssirum ground on the islet.

When a ssirum contest, a national sports game popular among the Korean people, is held there, the attention of the whole country is focused on the national ssirum ground. That is why it is called a “small but large sports arena”.

The gingko tree on Rungna Islet which has grown for hundreds of years also adds beauty to its scenery.

A witness to the history of the islet which became more famous for the happy laughter of people along with its natural beauty, the tree was recently registered as a natural monument.