Located near the northeast corner of Pyongyang, the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun offers you a rare look into a site deeply revered as the "eternal sanctuary of the entire Korean nation" and the "sacred temple of Juche." Formerly known as the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, this national landmark was originally the Kumsusan Assembly Hall, serving as Kim Il Sung's official residence and office before its renovation. Today, it stands as the mausoleum housing the preserved bodies of North Korea's eternal leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
Spanning 115,000 square feet, this sprawling complex holds the title of the world's largest mausoleum dedicated to a Communist leader, and it is the only one displaying the remains of multiple people. As you explore the vast interior, where some halls reach up to one kilometer in length, you will see the embalmed leaders lying inside clear glass sarcophagi within their respective "Hall of Eternal Life." Their heads rest on traditional Korean buckwheat pillows, with their bodies draped under the flag of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Outside, you can observe the grand 500-meter-long square parklands, bordered by a moat on its northern and eastern sides.
What to see at Kumsusan Palace of the Sun
- See the preserved bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il inside clear glass sarcophagi
- Explore the world's largest mausoleum dedicated to a Communist leader at 115,000 square feet
- View grand interior corridors where some halls extend up to 1 kilometer in length
- Observe the 500-meter-long Kumsusan Palace of the Sun Square Parklands bordered by a moat
Visiting tips
Access the memorial complex by using the pedestrian underpass located across the road at the security screening facilities, which is conveniently serviced by a tram stop.
How long: Flexible duration · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is easy to reach on Pyongyang’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Pyongyang travel guide.
See the full Pyongyang travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.