| Pyeongyang Area |
 |
Pyeongyang city is the center of North Korea’s politics,
economics, culture, and tourism. Occupying an area of 2600 square kilometers, it
has a population of 3.43 million. Pyeongyang was once the capital of Goguryeo
(37-668 B.C.), founded by Jumong and Goguryeo, the very first nation of the
Korean peninsula. Famous tourist sites include the Daedongmun, Botongmun, and
Dongmyeongwangreung Grave.Daedongmun is the east gate of Goguryeo Pyeongyang
Fortress’ inner complex. |
The most important of all Pyeongyang Fortress gates, it is North
Korea’s national treasure #1. Botongmun Gate is also a relic from the Goguryeo
era, and is North Korea’s National Treasure #2.The Dongmyeongwangreung Grave is
the gravesite of King Dongmyeong, founder of Goguryeo- it was discovered and
excavated in 1974. It is known for the murals of lotus blossoms that graces its
walls and ceilings. Dangunneung is a pyramidal grave of nine sections built out
of granite. Mt. Moranbong is named after the Moran Flower; it has four castles
called Naeseong, Oeseong, Chilseongmun and Eulmildae. Eulmildae castle was built
in the middle of the 6th century, but was rebuilt in 1714 and it was renamed
Bukjangdae castle in Naeseong. Eulmildae castles’s spring outdoor festival
(Bomnori) is one of eight famous Pyeongyang festivals.
Other places of
interests include the Joseon Revolutionary Museum, Joseon Art Museum, Botonggang
River Park, Central Botanical Garden, and C entral Zoo. Pyeongyang is also well
known for its food, such as the Pyeongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles) and
kimchi-mari. Pyeongyang naengmyeon is made of buckwheat noodles complemented by
a sweet pear-flavored soup. Kimchi-mari is cold rice, kimchi, and sesame oil
immersed in kimchi juices. | |
 |
| Gaeseong District |
 |
Gaeseong was the capital of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) for about 500
years. It occupies 1200 square kilometers and has a population of 390,000.
Beginning in the Goryeo era. It cultivated a history of fine craftsmanship (the
Goryeo Celadon is a fine example) and international trade. Gaeseong was also
active in ginseng production, and the Goryeo ginseng from the area is world
famous. Tourist sites include the Seonjukgyo Bridge and Namdaemun Gate. |
The Seonjukgyo is a Goryeo era (1392-1910) stone bridge, and in
the east there is a memorial containing the calligraphy of the Joseon era’s
famed calligrapher Seokbong Han. The Gaeseong Namdaemun Gate is the south gate
of the Gaeseong Naeseong Fortress.
Parkyeon Fall has two small ponds,
Parkyeon pond is the upper one and Gomodam pond is the lower one. Thanks to the
gazebo next to the Fall, one can relax while enjoying the view. Gongminwangreung
is a twin tomb for King Gongmin and his wife. In the tombs are a twelve animal
mural (Jisinsang) drawn by king Gongmin.
Other attractions include the
Gaeseong History Museum. | |
|
| Mt. Baekdusan District |
 |
With a peak at 2,744m, Mt. Baekdusan is the highest mountain in the Korean
peninsula. A dormant volcano, its volcanic activity began dying down about 2
million years ago, forming its current shape. Its climate is typical of high
altitudes, with extreme temperature fluctuations. The average temperature is
6~8C, with an average rainfall of 1,500mm. Many rare animals inhabit the area,
including tigers, bears, and panthers--as do over 2,700 plant varieties.
|
| At the peak of the mountain is the Cheonji Lake, a caldera lake
with an area of 9.17 square kilometers and an average depth of 213.3m. It is
surrounded by peaks on all sides, and harbors many marine life forms. Cultural
artifacts in Mt. Baekdusan area include the Mt. Baekdusan Jeonggyebi Memorial,
raised in 1712 to mark the boundary between Joseon and China.
| |
|
| Mt. Myohyangsan District |
 |
Mt. Myohyangsan is 1,909m tall, and is named Mt. Myohyangsan
because of its strange and beautiful shape. The temperature average is 8.3C.
There are a wide variety of plants as well as rare animals. Historically the
mountain is significant because in 1592 (25th year of King Seonjeo’s rule,
Joseon era), when faced with the Japanese invading forces,the monk Hyujeong
gathered a militia of monks in the mountain in defense of the nation. Making it
even more attractive as a tourist |
| spot is the Dangunsa, which contains relics of Dangun, founder of
Gojeoseon- the very first nation on the Korean peninsula. Also in the area is
the International Friendship Display, which exhibits various gifts given to
Ilseong Kim and Jeongil Kim from nations around the world. The Myohyangsan
History Museum and Mt. Myohyangsan spring water are also worth
noting. | |
|
| Mt. Guweolsan and Gwail District |
 |
Mt. Guweolsan is 954m tall and contains the famous Yongyeon
Falls, Guweolsansanseong Fortress site, and kiln site. Yongyeon Falls is where
all the rivers of the mountain converge to crash over a fall- a fantastic sight.
The site of the Guweolsansanseong Fortress site manages to give an idea of the
vastness of the fortress when it still stood- its circumference was 5.23km long.
The kiln site was used to fire Goryeo Celadon. Mt. Guweolsan was also the place
where anti-communist forces fought against |
| the North Korean communist army during the 6.25 War. Gwail-gun is
comprised of over 70% fruit fields and orchids--the largest fruit-producing
region in North Korea. Because it is in close vicinity to Pyeongyang, it is
perfect to visit together. | |
|
| Weonsan and Geumgangsan Diamond Mountains District
|
 |
Encompassing the 110km area from Weonsan (a port city) to the Geumgangsan
Diamond Mountains, this area is a tourist heaven which contains fabulous shores,
lakes, mountains, and temples. The Geumgangsan Diamond Mountain is home to the
Birobong Peak, the tallest point of the mountain and 1,638m. With 12,000
mountain peaks, valleys, waterfalls, and ponds, it is a truly phenomenal vision
of nature. There are over 940 types of plants as well as endangered fish
species. |
| Major tourist sites of the area include the Guryeong Falls,
Manmulsang, Samilpo Lake, and Haegeumgang River. The Guryong Falls are the
greatest of all Geumgangsan’s waterfalls, the Manmulsang is a collection of
oddly shaped boulders, and the Samilpo Lake and Haegeumgang River is a place
that offers the beauty of lakes and oceans. Weonsan is a port city situated on
the east coast, with a population of
280,000. | |
|
| Sinuiju and Uiji District |
| Sinuiju is a transportation hub located at the mouth of the Aprokgang River.
Sinuiju city is laid out in the form of a checkerboard, with the northeast
region occupied by government agencies and residences, and the industrial area
on the Aprokgang River. With an area of 10.6 square kilometers and a population
of 32,500, Uiju is a major city not far behind Pyeongyang or Gaesong, filled
with historical artifacts that include the Tonggunjeong. The Tonggunjeong is a
raised gazebo, which served as a military lookout during the Goryeo era. Its
festive structural design is notable. |
|
| Nampo District |
Nampo is an international port city. With an area of 82.9 square kilometers,
it has a population of 800,000. There were about 10 islands in the area until
the 1960’s, but beginning in the 1970’s the islands became connected through
artificial land and roads by development. Nearby tourist sites include the
Taeseongho Lake and Ssangyeongchong.
Sehaegapmun is a gate (35m high, 8km in
length) in the mouth of the Daedong river so ships up to five- tons can pass
by.
The beautiful Taeseongho Lake is a multi-purpose dam with an area of 7.79
square kilometers and a circumference of 32.5km. The Ssangyeongchong is a
Goguryeo era grave with murals of people and the 4 gods painted on its walls.
|
Demographics
