Less than an hour out of North Korea and I wondered, was I never going to be able to get away from bronze statues of leaders in squares? Continue reading “Chairman Mao Zedong”
Our short crossing – Sinuiju to Dandong, China
After lunch our passports, entry permits and exit cards had been returned to us and we were asked to sign the pre-completed exit cards which were written in Korean and completed in Korean. Having jokingly asked our guide what she had written about me on my exit card she had a second look and changed one answer explaining that I had now been converted from female to male. I signed the card, wondering what else might be incorrect on it and what fate might shortly befall me for ‘my’ false declarations. Continue reading “Our short crossing – Sinuiju to Dandong, China”
Ponbu Kindergarten Show – Totally Amazing
Our final activity in Sinuiju, and indeed in North Korea before leaving the country, was a visit to Ponbu Kindergarten where we were shown around the facility by the headmistress (Chief) and then enjoyed a wonderful show put on by the children. Continue reading “Ponbu Kindergarten Show – Totally Amazing”
Sinuiju Cultural Square (?)
The main square in Sinuiju is Kim Il-sung Square just outside the railway station. We didn’t tarry there and just passed through it on arrival as its main tourist attraction, a giant bronze statue of Kim Il-sung, was under wraps due to renovations. Continue reading “Sinuiju Cultural Square (?)”
Sinuiju Art Gallery
Having eaten it was now time for an afternoon of culture before we had to bid farewell to Sinuiju and to North Korea.
Our first stop was the Sinuiju Art Gallery. Continue reading “Sinuiju Art Gallery”
Tourist Guide Centre: “Dining in Sinuiju”
Perhaps my title conjures up illusions of grandeur and fine dining in Sinuiju. Perhaps the less ostentatious title ‘eating in Sinuiju’ might have been more appropriate. Continue reading “Tourist Guide Centre: “Dining in Sinuiju””
Bridge Across the Yalu
There are only two official, operating bridge crossing points on the 795 km Yalu River border between North Korea and China, one, the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge (formerly the Yalu River Bridge) here in Sinuiju and the other, the Ji’an Yalu River Border Railway Bridge between Ji’an in China and Manp’o in North Korea. Continue reading “Bridge Across the Yalu”
Looking at Dandong from Sinuiju
Sinuiju, North Korea’s most significant border town with 360,000 people is literally a few hundred metres from Dandong, a thriving city of nearly 3 million people in north east China. In practical terms, for all bar a select few citizens of Sinuiju, the two cities might as well be on different planets as there is as much chance of their getting to Dandong as there is of their getting to another planet. Continue reading “Looking at Dandong from Sinuiju”
Sinuiju School Visit
Universal free education is a trademark of most socialist countries and North Korea is no exception in this regard. Free Pre-school, primary, secondary and higher level education is offered to all. Compulsory primary and secondary education was introduced in 1956 and 1958 respectively and from 2012 minimum education requirements became 12 years (formally 11) – one year of pre-school, five years of elementary school, three years of primary middle school, and three years of advanced middle school. Continue reading “Sinuiju School Visit”
Come Into Our Tender Embrace
Across the road from the Eternal Life Monument is a duo of murals commonly found throughout North Korea and, in fact, the only murals that I have seen in multiple locations, including in Pyongyang and at Mt Myohyang in addition to this one in Sinuiju. The slogans on these murals are in keeping with the Eternal Life Monument and read “The great comrade Kim Il-sung will be with us forever” and “The great comrade Kim Jong-il will be with us forever”. Continue reading “Come Into Our Tender Embrace”
The Rambling Wombat 