Kumsusan Palace of the Sun Monument
North Korean mausoleum housing leaders' preserved remains
The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang functions as the mausoleum for North Korea's founders; visitors on official tours view the preserved state rooms and pay respects under strict visitor protocols.
Kumsusan Palace of the Sun at a Glance#
Address: Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, Pyongyang, North Korea
About Kumsusan Palace of the Sun#
The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is a state mausoleum in Pyongyang that contains the preserved bodies of North Korea’s founding leader Kim Il-sung and his son Kim Jong-il. It serves as a central site for state ceremonies and official homage.
The complex includes formal halls for public viewing of the preserved leaders, exhibition rooms with state gifts and displays, and preserved rooms that were part of the leaders’ official residence. Visits are conducted under strict rules and protocol.
Originally constructed as an official residence, the building was converted into a mausoleum and expanded to accommodate state displays and public ceremonial space following the deaths of the leaders. It is a focal point for official commemorations and foreign delegations.
The palace sits in Pyongyang and is a prominent site within the city’s ceremonial district. It is managed as a national memorial and is typically included on official tour itineraries subject to state controls.
- Function: Houses the embalmed remains of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il and functions as the DPRK’s principal state mausoleum and shrine.
What to See#
- Main Mausoleum Halls: Main mausoleum halls containing the embalmed bodies and state displays, presented with strict ceremonial arrangements and viewing protocols for visitors.
- Exhibition and state rooms: Exhibition rooms and preserved offices that display state gifts, documents and items associated with the leaders’ lives and rule.
How to Get to Kumsusan Palace of the Sun#
Access is only possible through organized tours to Pyongyang approved by DPRK authorities. Tours include guided visits and are usually part of a broader itinerary operated by specialist travel agencies.
Tips for Visiting Kumsusan Palace of the Sun#
- Visits to the Kumsusan Palace are tightly controlled and usually arranged as part of official tours when travel to North Korea is possible-check arrangements with sanctioned tour operators.
- Dress conservatively-photography rules and dress codes are enforced strictly inside the complex.
- Be prepared for long, formal queues and strict conduct rules; guards enforce precise behaviour.
Best Time to Visit Kumsusan Palace of the Sun#
Visits are possible only within the tightly controlled tourism framework for North Korea and are typically scheduled during the temperate months.
Weather & Climate near Kumsusan Palace of the Sun#
Kumsusan Palace of the Sun's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental (Dry Winter) - Hot-Summer Continental (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -12°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1061 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -12° - -1° | -10° | 19 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
| February | Acceptable | -9° - 2° | -6° | 18 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.6h |
| March | Good | -3° - 9° | 1° | 26 mm | some cloud | 70% | 2.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 5° - 17° | 11° | 55 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.4 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.1h |
| May | Excellent | 11° - 22° | 16° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.2h |
| June | Very Good | 16° - 26° | 21° | 117 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 1.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.7h |
| July | Good | 20° - 28° | 24° | 280 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.5h |
| August | Good | 20° - 29° | 24° | 240 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 1.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.5h |
| September | Very Good | 14° - 25° | 19° | 134 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 6° - 18° | 12° | 43 mm | some cloud | 74% | 1.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Good | -1° - 9° | 3° | 38 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.9h |
| December | Acceptable | -8° - 2° | -6° | 17 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
