Introduction

   As an inland area in the northern part of Korea, it comprises the revolutionary battle sites, revolutionary sites and scenic spots in Ryanggang Province with Mt. Paektu, the highest mountain in Korea, as its axis.

   The name of the province was derived from the fact that it lies at the juncture of the Amnok and Tuman rivers which find their way to the east and west seas, with Mt. Paektu as their watershed. As a mountainous area, the province is situated high above the sea.

   Mt. Paektu area is a historic place where President Kim Il Sung commanded the sacred struggle against the Japanese imperialists to liberate Korea from their military rule, so preserved there are many revolutionary battle sites and revolutionary sites.

   In the area is the Paektusan Secret Camp where Chairman Kim Jong Il was born.

   Mt. Paektu area, mainly covered with thick primitive forests, has many magnificent and beautiful natural sceneries and wonders, including Lake Chon on Mt. Paektu and Rimyongsu Falls. It is inhibited by many rare animals, and various species of plants grow there. It is the coldest area and the difference of temperatures between summer and winter is the greatest in Korea. The average annual temperature in Lake Samji is 0.6 ℃ and the average annual precipitation is 550-1 440 mm.

   You can take a plane or a train to Mt. Paektu, but it is more recommended to take a flight, which will bring you there in an hour.

Tourist attractions

Lake Chon on Mt. Paektu

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   Located on the top of Mt. Paektu, it is the crater lake on the highest elevation in the world.

   From olden times, it was called “Taethaek”or “Taeji” which means a great pond, and “Chonji” which means a holy lake. It was also called “Ryongdam” or “Ryongwangthaek”, in the meaning that the dragon ruling all ponds around the world lives here.

   The lake is surrounded by more than 20 peaks of over 2 600 metres high.

   It has an area of 9.16 square kilometres, a circumference of 14.4 kilometres and maximum depth of 384 metres. It will take over sixty years to pump out all the water in the lake at the speed of 1 cube metre per second. The water source of the lake is the rainfall, thawing snow and underground water.

   In the lake, there live Chonji char and small planktons, and on the lakeside there live such animals as Paektusan deer, roe deer, wolf and wide goose. There are hundreds of plants, including rhododendron blossoming even in the snow and blueberry.

   The water of the lake has a special virtue for health and longevity as it contains major ions, i.e. the ingredients of mineral water. Therefore, it is said that if you drink a cup of the water, you will live for a hundred years.

   As the surrounding air of the lake has plenty of anion, it helps relaxing the nervous system of the body and recreating oneself.