Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Ryugyong Hotel shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Ryugyong Hotel offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Ryugyong Hotel at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Ryugyong Hotel? Wrong! If the Ryugyong Hotel is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Ryugyong Hotel then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Ryugyong Hotel? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Ryugyong Hotel and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Ryugyong Hotel wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Ryugyong Hotel then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Ryugyong Hotel site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Ryugyong Hotel, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Ryugyong Hotel, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
{{Infobox Korean name|context= north|img=Ryugyong Hotel - May 2005.JPG|hangul=류경 호텔|hanja=柳京 호텔|rr=Ryugyeong Hotel|mr=Ryugyŏng Hot'el|-->
The
Ryugyong Hotel (or
Ryu-Gyong Hotel or
Yu-Kyung Hotel or
the 105 Building) is a partially constructed
concrete skyscraper that was once intended for use as a
hotel in Sojang-dong, in the Potong-gang District of Pyongyang,
North Korea. The hotel's name comes from one of the historic names for Pyongyang: Ryugyong, or "capital of willows." Its 105 stories rise to a height of 330 m (1,083 ft), and it boasts some
1 E+5 m² of floor space, making it the most prominent feature of the city’s
skyline and by far the largest structure in the country. Construction started in 1987 and ceased in 1992. Had it been completed, it would have been the world's tallest hotel.
History
Initial framing
Construction on the pyramid-shaped hotel began in 1987 by Baekdu Mountain Architects & Engineers. The reinforced concrete structure consists of three wings, the face of each wing measuring 100 m (328 ft) long and 18 m (59 ft) wide, which converge at a common point to form a pinnacle. At the top is a huge 40 m (131 ft) wide circular structure which contains eight rotating floors, topped by a further six static floors. A construction crane is perched at the top, and has assumed the role of a permanent fixture. The hotel is surrounded by a number of pavilions, gardens, and terraces.
The building's plan for a 105-story height was reportedly a Cold War response to a
South Korean company's completion of the Swissôtel The Stamford in
Singapore the previous year. North Korean leadership envisioned the project as a channel for Western investors to step into the marketplace. A firm, the Ryugyong Hotel Investment and Management Co., was established to attract a hoped for US$230 million in foreign investment. A representative for the North Korean government promised relaxed oversight, saying, "The foreign investors can even operate casinos, nightclubs or Japanese lounges if they want to." It was added to maps and North Korean postage stamps before it was half-finished.
Construction deadlock
, Ryugyong Hotel in backgroundThe Ryugyong's planned 3,000 rooms and 7 revolving restaurants were scheduled to open in June 1989 for the
World Festival of Youth and Students, but problems with building methods and materials delayed it. Japanese newspapers estimated the cost of construction was US$750 million—2% of North Korea’s GDP—and it is generally assumed construction came to a halt in 1992 due to lack of funding, acute electricity shortages, and the prevailing famine. Official pictures of Pyongyang often show the building illuminated at night, but this is due to
photo manipulation.
Ryugyong today
Square is at center.The basic structure is complete, but no windows, fixtures, or fittings have been installed, and it has never been certified safe for occupancy. According to
Emporis, the building will never open as presently constructed. The concrete used to build the hotel was very poor, making the structure unsafe, and it has worn down even more over the years. The North Korean government is trying to invite
foreign investment of US$300 million to improve and finish the hotel. In the meantime, it has removed the Ryugyong from maps and stamps and built a newer five-star hotel of more conventional design on the
Taedong River.
See also
References
{{Infobox Korean name|context= north|img=Ryugyong Hotel - May 2005.JPG|hangul=류경 호텔|hanja=柳京 호텔|rr=Ryugyeong Hotel|mr=Ryugyŏng Hot'el|-->
The
Ryugyong Hotel (or
Ryu-Gyong Hotel or
Yu-Kyung Hotel or
the 105 Building) is a partially constructed concrete skyscraper that was once intended for use as a hotel in Sojang-dong, in the Potong-gang District of
Pyongyang,
North Korea. The hotel's name comes from one of the historic names for Pyongyang: Ryugyong, or "capital of
willows." Its 105 stories rise to a height of 330 m (1,083 ft), and it boasts some
1 E+5 m² of floor space, making it the most prominent feature of the city’s skyline and by far the largest structure in the country. Construction started in 1987 and ceased in 1992. Had it been completed, it would have been the world's tallest hotel.
History
Initial framing
Construction on the pyramid-shaped hotel began in 1987 by Baekdu Mountain Architects & Engineers. The reinforced concrete structure consists of three wings, the face of each wing measuring 100 m (328 ft) long and 18 m (59 ft) wide, which converge at a common point to form a pinnacle. At the top is a huge 40 m (131 ft) wide circular structure which contains eight rotating floors, topped by a further six static floors. A construction crane is perched at the top, and has assumed the role of a permanent fixture. The hotel is surrounded by a number of pavilions, gardens, and terraces.
The building's plan for a 105-story height was reportedly a
Cold War response to a South Korean company's completion of the Swissôtel The Stamford in Singapore the previous year. North Korean leadership envisioned the project as a channel for Western investors to step into the marketplace. A firm, the Ryugyong Hotel Investment and Management Co., was established to attract a hoped for US$230 million in foreign investment. A representative for the North Korean government promised relaxed oversight, saying, "The foreign investors can even operate casinos, nightclubs or Japanese lounges if they want to." It was added to maps and North Korean postage stamps before it was half-finished.
Construction deadlock
, Ryugyong Hotel in backgroundThe Ryugyong's planned 3,000 rooms and 7
revolving restaurants were scheduled to open in June 1989 for the World Festival of Youth and Students, but problems with building methods and materials delayed it. Japanese newspapers estimated the cost of construction was US$750 million—2% of North Korea’s
GDP—and it is generally assumed construction came to a halt in 1992 due to lack of funding, acute electricity shortages, and the prevailing famine. Official pictures of Pyongyang often show the building illuminated at night, but this is due to photo manipulation.
Ryugyong today
Square is at center.The basic structure is complete, but no windows, fixtures, or fittings have been installed, and it has never been certified safe for occupancy. According to Emporis, the building will never open as presently constructed. The concrete used to build the hotel was very poor, making the structure unsafe, and it has worn down even more over the years. The North Korean government is trying to invite
foreign investment of US$300 million to improve and finish the hotel. In the meantime, it has removed the Ryugyong from maps and stamps and built a newer five-star hotel of more conventional design on the
Taedong River.
See also
References
