The North Korean capital is an extraordinary place. The regime has gone to great lengths to create a showpiece city using grandiose architectural styles and plenty of marble, bronze and concrete. It is in fact an ancient settlement, and was founded as a capital in the 5th century. However the city was almost destroyed, first during the Sino-Japanese war (1894-95) and then again by the Americans between 1950 and 1953.

One thing that surprises visitors is how quiet the streets are, it lacks the vibrancy associated with other eastern cities but there is nonetheless plenty to see. The Mansudae Grand Monument is often the first stop on any guides itinerary – a huge bronze statue of Kim Il-Sung. The Triumphal Arch is the biggest of its kind in the world and the Juche tower is 170m high. The Kumsusan Memorial Palace, The Great Leader’s mausoleum, contains his embalmed remains.