Major Attractions In North Korea

North Korea, mainly because of its difficult terrain- nearly 80% of the land is mountainous- has few urban settlements. The largest and most posh city is the capital, Pyongyang, a very carefully engineered showcase for the `merits of communism’- so clean and perfect that you could be pardoned for not believing that you’re still in Asia. Till a few years ago, Pyongyang was so completely `sterilised’ that you wouldn’t find anybody old, feeble, disabled (or even pregnant!) in the city. It’s become a bit less radical now, but it’s still a showcase.

Two important cities of North Korea are Haeju, a port city known for its beautiful beaches and it’s mountains (amongst which is a fort dedicated to memorabilia to the Great Leader, Kim Il-Sung), and Kaesong. Kaesong, the one-time capital of the Koryo dynasty has excellent museums and some historic ruins, including bridges, tombs and temples. 

Paekdusan, 2750 m, is the tallest peak in the Korean Peninsula. Very aptly named `white-capped mountain’ the Paekdusan’s summit is of white stone, which is covered with snow throughout the year. An extinct volcano, Paekdusan is situated on the border with China, and has a huge crater lake called Chonji (`Lake of Heaven’) within its crater.

 Chonji is one of the deepest and coldest of alpine lakes in the world- in fact, Paekdusan itself is very cold- the average annual temperature is –8.3° C. 

The mountain is sacred for nearly all Koreans, as it is believed that this is where the `Son of the Lord of Heaven’ first descended to earth and established the Korean kingdom. In more recent times, the peak has acquired a greater significance, as it was the headquarters of the Communist leader Kim Il-Sung in his crusade against the Japanese. Paekdusan is located about 350 km from Pyongyang, and if you have some time to spend in North Korea, you should pay a visit- it’s a beautiful place.

About 125 km from Pyongyang, close to the border with South Korea, lies the historical town of Kaesong. It’s not a very large city, but at one time, Kaesong was the capital of the ancient Koryo dynasty (918 to 1392 A.D.). The city was a prosperous and elegant one, the seat of power for the Buddhist-dominated dynasty, which brought it much fame and splendour. Little of that splendour remains now, but what is still around is worth seeing. Amongst the sights to see are the Koryo Museum with its Buddhist relics and pottery, the Songgyungwan Neo-Confucian College where Confucian rituals are sometimes enacted, and the tomb of the Koryo King Kongmin, an ornate mausoleum decorated with granite and statuary. Other sights include the Sonjuk Bridge and the Songin Monument, which is dedicated to the Neo-Confucian hero, Chong-Mong-ju.

The Kumgangsan ( `Diamond’) Mountain Ranges are amongst the most picturesque in this part of the world, and a must-see if you’re fond of natural beauty. They’re lovely throughout the year- whether they’re covered with snow, or wild flowers, or autumn leaves. Six hours from Pyongyang, the mountains spread over about 2400 km, with the highest peak being Piro, at 1639 mt. Although it takes about a week to cover the entire area, if you have the time and the inclination, it’s a great place for trekking- the pine forests, the water falls and springs, and the steep cliffs swathed with clouds are really quite ethereal. Amongst the better-known sights of the mountains are the Kuryong Falls (a sheer drop of 74 m), and the Manmulsang area.

Other places you might like to visit include the Tokhung-ri tombs in Nampo, famous for their excellent murals; the castle and tombs of Kogryo; and PanMunJom, on the border with South Korea (the latter isn’t scenic or cultural- just historical).