Introduction
The National Gift Exhibition House is an exhibition hall on the outskirts of Pyongyang City dedicated to gifts presented to President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il, Mother Kim Jong Suk and Marshal Kim Jong Un by the Korean people, overseas Koreans (especially those living in Japan) and South Koreans.
Location of the National Gift Exhibition House
The National Gift Exhibition House is located on Mangyongdae District’s outskirts, Pyongyang, near mount Ryanggnak on the way to Nampo City.
History of the National Gift Exhibition House
The National Gift Exhibition House was opened in 2012. It was a project first developed under General Kim Jong Il as a gift to the people in order to be ready for the Massive Kim Il Sung Birthday Celebrations in April 2012.
It is said that The National Gift Exhibition House contains 25,000 gifts in the four-story building with approximately 8,000 on display at any given time within the buildings 20 display rooms, with one floor also being devoted as a library.
Visting the National Gift Exhibition House
Although not as commonly visited as the more famous International Friendship Exhibition Hall located in Mount Myohyang, Approximately 3.5 hours North of Pyongyang, the National Gift Exhibition House is sometimes visited on our group tours to North Korea and it is possible to arrange a visit here if you are on an Independent Tour of the country.
A visit to this site takes approximately 1.5-3 hours depending on how much explaining you would like your local guides to do of the various gifts.
Much like the International Friendship Exhibition House, photography inside the building is strictly against the rules, and cameras and cellphones will need to be checked in the reception area.
Upon entering the gift hall, the first room is the main exhibition hall, which features two marble statues of President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il. When visiting this hall, it is customary to perform a bow in order to pay respects before continuing on your tour of the exhibition hall.
One notable gift to look out for here is the double-sided circular painting of General Kim Jong Il. On the first side of the painting, he is decked out in full Koryo Era battle dress, riding a white tiger on Mt. Paektu and on the second side, the General is now dressed in a green suit smoking a cigarette while the tiger rests.
The remainder of your visit will be the areas where various gifts are on display. There is a large number of paintings, poetry, household goods, electronics and a few cars on display.
Most visitors here are likely to be unfamiliar with most of the donors, with the exception of two former South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung and Roh Moo-hyun as well as the Hyundai Corporation who made contributions during the Sunshine Policy era.
Upon completion of your tour, there is a balcony overlooking the main road leading up to the Exhibition Hall. While on this balcony, it is possible to take photos and have a snack/beverage.
While not as popular as the International Friendship Exhibition hall, this is a great site for those looking to get off the Pyongyang tourist trail and those with a strong interest in inter-Korean relations.
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