Introduction
Nampho is located on the west coast and on the estuary of the Taedong River, the same river that runs through Pyongyang. The city is only a 45 minute drive and 50 kilometers southwest of Pyongyang. The population of 367,000 makes it the 4th biggest city of the DPRK. Nampho was at one point just a small fishing village until 1897 when it became a foreign trade port and gradually evolved into a bustling port city and industrial center. In 1945 the city defining port was renovated to be able to harbor 20,000 ton ships and now serves as the primary intake for foreign goods making Nampho city the DPRK’s premier port. Much of the goods that come in through the port are sent to the mainland via a rail system or the 10 lane wide Youth Hero Motorway. The port sends in foreign goods and keeps flood waters out with the West Sea Barrage, an 8 kilometer long series of dams. The city makes use of water in other ways, such as the Kangso Mineral Water Factory, a factory that uses foreign made equipment in the area. Nampho is also known as the city where the term Chollima Speed was coined. This movement helped bring prosperity to North Korea in the 1950’s and Nampho has the honor of being the birthplace because of several state defined model sites. Chongsanri Cooperative Farm has been recognized as one of the best of the North Korean agricultural system and the Nampho Orphanage is held dearly by the people. The area is known as a staging point for tourism, Mt. Kuwol and Mt. Jangsu are nearby, along with 7th century tombs for any history buffs, and Woljong Temple for contemplation. After seeing and tasting all Nampho has to offer, tourists are offered the opportunity to wind down in the mineral water bathtubs at the Ryonggang Hot Spring House.