North Korea’s “Ghost” Hotel!

Have you ever stumbled upon a travel destination that’s a little… unusual? Well, presenting to you, the bizarre story of the Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea. This giant pyramid-shaped building in Pyongyang isn’t exactly your typical hotel. In fact, it’s earned a rather chilling nickname: “The Hotel of Doom.” Let’s see why this unfinished giant continues to cast a long shadow.

Why Was the Ryugyong Hotel Built?

Imagine a world where countries competed over who has the tallest hotel. Kind of weird, right? Well, that was the situation back in the 1980s when the Cold War was still raging. South Korea had just built a super tall hotel in Singapore, and North Korea, well, they weren’t too happy about it.

In 1987, North Korea decided to fight fire with… a giant concrete pyramid! Their plan? To build the tallest hotel in the world, towering over Pyongyang at a whopping 330 meters. This would show everyone just how successful and prosperous North Korea was, compared to the South.

The design was certainly one-of-a-kind. Three wings branched out from a central core, all slanted at sharp angles before meeting at a pointy cone on top. Think “Egyptian pyramid meets spaceship.” The hotel was supposed to be a luxury paradise — thousands of rooms, fancy restaurants with breathtaking views, even a bowling alley and nightclub!

The Ryugyong Hotel’s Unfinished Story

Construction began in 1987, with the goal of a grand opening just two years later. That timeline was… optimistic, to say the least. While the building grew floor by floor, it soon became clear that a 1989 opening wasn’t going to happen.

Then came a series of events that really put a damper on the whole project. The Soviet Union, North Korea’s main supporter, collapsed in 1991. Suddenly, money was tight. On top of that, North Korea was facing a terrible famine. Priorities shifted, and the unfinished hotel became a giant symbol of a country in decline.

Construction finally stopped completely in 1993. The shell of the building stood there, a giant gray skeleton overlooking Pyongyang. For almost 20 years, it remained untouched, a constant reminder of failed dreams.

Will the Ryugyong Hotel Ever Open?

In the early 2000s, there were talks about restarting construction. Even a German luxury hotel group expressed interest in managing the upper floors. But political tensions and a lack of funding kept derailing these plans.

Finally, in 2011, the facade of the building was completed. It seemed like the Ryugyong Hotel might finally become a reality. But nope! More political issues meant the hotel never opened its doors.

The “Hotel of Doom” Today

So, what’s the latest with the Ryugyong Hotel? As of today, it’s still empty. No guests have ever checked in, and it’s not exactly on anyone’s travel bucket list.

The nickname “Hotel of Doom” seems pretty fitting. Experts even say the building might not be structurally sound — all that concrete without enough steel support could be a recipe for disaster. Remember that building collapse in Pyongyang back in 2014? Yeah, not a good look for the Ryugyong.

Instead of a luxury hotel, the Ryugyong is now being used for propaganda purposes. The facade is covered in thousands of LED lights that display North Korean history and political slogans. It’s a giant glowing reminder of the country’s power… or at least, that’s what they want you to think.

A Symbol of a Troubled Nation

The Ryugyong Hotel is more than just an unfinished building. It’s a symbol of North Korea’s struggles. A grand idea that went terribly wrong, a constant reminder of a country facing economic hardship and political isolation.

So, the next time you see a picture of the Ryugyong Hotel, remember the story behind it. It’s a story of ambition, failure, and the harsh realities of life in North Korea. It’s a story that leaves you wondering — will the Ryugyong Hotel ever be anything more than a ghost in the concrete jungle of Pyongyang?