A view of the Eastern Gate of Pyongyang's original walled city, also known as the Taedong Gate due to its location on the banks of the Taedong river. Today, visitors to the Hermit Kingdom still make officials stops at the Eastern Gate, which is considered a national treasure and has remained a fixture since it was first constructed in the sixth century. The present gate -- built in 1635 after its predecessor was burned down during 16th-century Japanese invasions -- is one of the oldest structures in the capital city and, according to Lonely Planet, serves as a "reminder that Pyongyang was once a traditional Asian city rather than the post-Soviet monolith it is today."
Courtesy of the Maryknoll Mission Archives
