The birthplace is the centerpiece of any visit to Mangyongdae. The site presents a cluster of traditional thatched-roof farmhouses on the bank of the Taedong River, maintained to an almost theatrical standard of tidiness. A low fence marks the boundary; beyond it, the original dwelling where Kim Il-sung was born on April 15, 1912, is preserved with clay jars, wooden furniture, and woven mats in place.
All visitors to North Korea — foreigners and domestic tourists alike — are brought here as a matter of course. Foreign visitors are expected to bow in front of the house; the depth of the bow is, tactfully, left to the individual. The surrounding grounds are planted with carefully tended trees, and plaques in Korean and several foreign languages explain the historical significance of each building. Photographs are permitted from designated spots.