You’ve seen the photos. That massive, silver pyramid piercing the grey skyline of Pyongyang like something out of a low-budget sci-fi flick. For years, the Ryugyong Hotel has been the internet’s favorite punchline—the "Hotel of Doom," the world’s tallest abandoned building, a $750 million paperweight.
But honestly? Most of the stories you read online are kinda stuck in 1992.
If you were to stand in the Potong-gang District today, you wouldn't see a "hollow concrete shell." You’d see a glittering, neo-futuristic monolith that doubles as the world’s largest TV screen at night. It’s weird, it’s imposing, and it’s deeply misunderstood. Is it a failure? Technically, yeah. But it’s also a fascinating look into how North Korea views its own image. Let's get into what’s actually happening behind those glass walls in 2026.
Why the Ryugyong Hotel Exists (It’s Basically a Cold War Spite-Build)
In the late 1980s, North Korea was feeling a bit insecure.
South Korea was booming. They were about to host the 1988 Summer Olympics, and a South Korean company (the SsangYong Group) had just finished the Westin Stamford in Singapore, which was the world's tallest hotel at the time. Kim Il-sung—the country’s founder—wasn't about to let that slide. He wanted something bigger. Something that screamed "Socialist Success."
Basically, the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea was born out of a massive architectural "hold my beer" moment.
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Construction kicked off in 1987. The plan was to open it in 1989 for the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students. They were shooting for 3,000 rooms, five revolving restaurants, and a height of 330 meters. For a moment, it looked like they might actually pull it off. But then the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and the "Socialist miracle" ran out of money. Fast.
By 1992, the structure was topped out at 105 stories, but it was just naked, grey concrete. For the next 16 years, it just sat there. A giant, windowless ghost.
The "Hotel of Doom" Gets a Makeover
Around 2008, people started noticing movement at the site. An Egyptian telecom giant called Orascom—who was busy setting up North Korea’s Koryolink 3G network—struck a deal to finish the hotel’s exterior.
They slapped on $180 million worth of glass and metal panels. Suddenly, the "Hotel of Doom" looked like a real building. By 2011, the outside was finished. You’ve probably seen the "before and after" photos; it’s a night-and-day difference. But here’s the thing: the inside remained a disaster.
What’s actually inside?
In 2012, the luxury hotel group Kempinski announced they were going to manage the hotel. They promised 150 rooms on the top floors. A few months later? They backed out. Rumors started flying about structural issues.
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People like Simon Cockerell from Koryo Tours, who has actually stepped foot inside, described the interior as a "work in progress." Lots of bare concrete. Exposed wires. Vast, empty spaces that felt more like a parking garage than a lobby. There were even claims that the elevator shafts were crooked—though that’s never been fully confirmed by an independent engineer.
The 100,000 LED Light Show
Fast forward to 2018, and the Ryugyong Hotel got its weirdest update yet.
Local designer Kim Yong-il covered the entire facade in over 100,000 LED lights. Now, every night, the building turns into a massive propaganda screen. You’ll see the North Korean flag waving at the top (which is 40 meters tall on its own), followed by animations of monuments, fireworks, and political slogans.
It’s an incredible bit of "fake it 'til you make it."
Even if you can’t book a room or eat a steak in a revolving restaurant, the building still serves its purpose: it looks impressive on camera. In 2026, it remains a central part of the Pyongyang skyline, even if the "residents" are just a few maintenance crews and a whole lot of empty air.
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Can You Visit the Ryugyong Hotel in 2026?
Short answer: No.
Even as North Korea slowly starts to reopen its borders (mostly to Russian tourists for now), the Ryugyong is still off-limits. You can walk up to the driveway, take a selfie at the gate, and marvel at the sheer scale of the three 100-meter-long wings. But you aren't getting past the lobby.
Here’s the reality check on what we know right now:
- Total Floors: 105 (Hence the local name "105 Building").
- Current Status: Unoccupied. It holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest unoccupied building.
- Is it safe? Some experts say the 1980s concrete is degrading, while others argue the Orascom renovation stabilized it.
- The "Revolving" Floors: There are 14 floors in that cone at the top. Eight of them were supposed to rotate. None of them do.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious
If you’re fascinated by the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, or planning a future trip to the DPRK once restrictions ease further, keep these points in mind:
- Don't believe every "ruin" photo: Most of the photos showing a "rotting" interior are from the early 2000s. The lower floors have reportedly seen significant work, even if the building isn't "open."
- Photography Strategy: The best views of the hotel aren't from right underneath it. Head to the Mansudae Grand Monument or the Juche Tower for that classic "pyramid looming over the city" shot.
- The Night Show is the Real Draw: If you ever find yourself in Pyongyang, the LED show usually starts around 8:00 PM. It’s the one time the building actually feels "alive."
- Manage Expectations: Every few years, a rumor pops up that it's "finally opening." Treat these with extreme skepticism. Until you see a booking link on a major travel site, it’s still just a very expensive lighthouse.
The Ryugyong Hotel is a monument to ambition, a victim of the Cold War, and a testament to the power of a good facade. It might never host a single guest, but as a piece of architectural history, it’s already accomplished exactly what Kim Il-sung wanted: nobody can stop talking about it.