Taedongmun
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Dongdaemun
, the old east gate of Seoul
Taedong Gate is the eastern gate of the inner castle of the walled city of Pyongyang
(Pyongyang Castle), and one of Pyongyang's most famous landmarks
. Located on the banks of the Taedong River
, from which it gets its name, the gate was originally built in the sixth century as an official Koguryo construction, and, along with the Ryongwang Pavilion
and Pyongyang Bell, served as the center of the inner castle's eastern defenses.The present construction dates from 1635, however, as the original was burnt to the ground during the Imjin wars of the late 16th century.
The current gate features a granite base topped by a two-story pavilion, called the Euphoru Pavilion (읍호루), because of its grand views of the Taedong River. This pavilion houses two hanging name plaques, one, on the first storey, reading "Taedong Gate" and calligraphed Yang Sa-on, and the other, reading "Upho Pavilion", on the second storey and written by Pak Wi (박위, 朴葳, ?∼1398).
It is National Treasure #4
in North Korea.
Dongdaemun
Heunginjimun, literally "Gate of Rising Benevolence" or more commonly known as Dongdaemun, is a prominent landmark in central Seoul, South Korea. The Korean name "Dongdaemun" means "Great East Gate," and it was so named because it was the major eastern gate in the wall that surrounded Seoul during...
, the old east gate of Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
Taedong Gate is the eastern gate of the inner castle of the walled city of Pyongyang
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
(Pyongyang Castle), and one of Pyongyang's most famous landmarks
National treasures of North Korea
Designated national treasures of North Korea are tangible artifacts, sites, and buildings deemed to have significant historical or artistic value.-No. 1-50:-No. 51-100:-No. 101-150:-No...
. Located on the banks of the Taedong River
Taedong River
The Taedong River is a large river in North Korea. It rises in the Rangrim Mountains of the country's north. It then flows southwest into Korea Bay at Namp'o. In between, it runs through the country's capital, Pyongyang. Along the river are landmarks such as the Juche Tower and Kim Il-sung...
, from which it gets its name, the gate was originally built in the sixth century as an official Koguryo construction, and, along with the Ryongwang Pavilion
Ryongwang Pavilion
Ryongwang Pavilion is a scenic overlook located in the central district of Pyongyang, North Korea. Located on the bank of the Taedong River, the pavilion was first constructed during the Goguryeo dynasty as "Sansu Pavilion", and was part of the defenses of the walled city of Pyongyang Ryongwang...
and Pyongyang Bell, served as the center of the inner castle's eastern defenses.The present construction dates from 1635, however, as the original was burnt to the ground during the Imjin wars of the late 16th century.
The current gate features a granite base topped by a two-story pavilion, called the Euphoru Pavilion (읍호루), because of its grand views of the Taedong River. This pavilion houses two hanging name plaques, one, on the first storey, reading "Taedong Gate" and calligraphed Yang Sa-on, and the other, reading "Upho Pavilion", on the second storey and written by Pak Wi (박위, 朴葳, ?∼1398).
It is National Treasure #4
National treasures of North Korea
Designated national treasures of North Korea are tangible artifacts, sites, and buildings deemed to have significant historical or artistic value.-No. 1-50:-No. 51-100:-No. 101-150:-No...
in North Korea.