The Pyongyang Metro is one of the requisite sites for any foreign visitor to see and experience. Although the map on the wall outlined several stops over two subway lines, our guides only took us to the three primary stops that were in service. The stations themselves were beautiful; two with ornate light fixtures (one designed to look like fireworks) and huge intricate mosaics depicting the many familiar themes of communist life under the dear leaders. The third station was quite austere in comparison and only housed a gold bust of Kim Il-sung. The trains were elegant yet many doors seemed to need some manual intervention to fully open. The day’s newspapers were on display on the platforms of the first two stations for all to take in as they waited.
