Mt. Kumgang has been known as one of the 5 famous mountains in Korea from olden time as it has various kinds of magnificent, beautiful and mysterious natural views.
Mt. Kumgang is on the middle part of the coast of the East Sea of Korea and the northern part of Mt. T
With 1 200 peaks, mysterious rocks of different shapes, gigantic rocky cliffs and deep valleys, several pools and ponds, crystal-clear water meandering through cliffs and rocks, numerous rainbow-like waterfalls, diverse fauna and flora and thick forest harmonizing wit
Since long the Korean people have called this mountain, the ideal of natural beauty, Mt. Kumgang meaning diamond.
Unique picturesque sceneries of Mt. Kumgang are made by special geological structure and climate condition in this region.
Almost all mountains are granite and diorite. They were weathered and eroded forming the mountain with sharp peaks, valleys, rocks and cliffs of every kind.
Mt. Kumgang is one of the regions which has most rainfall and snowfall in Korea.
About 2 260 kinds of plants are distributed in Mt. Kumgang. Animal resources are abundant—over 38 kinds of animals and more than 130 kinds of birds inhabit here.
Mt. Kumgang is divided into inner Kumgang, outer Kumgang and sea Kumgang according to regional characteristics.
Inner Kumgang includes Naekumgang-ri and Tanphung-ri, Kumgang County, Kangwon Province, that is, the western part of the central Mt. Kumgang range. There are Piro Peak which is the main peak of Mt. Kumgang, Oknyo Peak, Sangdung Peak, Onjong Pass, Sonchang Hill which are in the north of Piro Peak and Wolchul Peak, Ilchul Peak, Naemujae Pass, Chail Peak, Woemujae Pass which are in the south of Piro Peak. Outer Kumgang includes the area between Ryon Peak which stretches from north to south and Sea Kumgang which stretches along the coast of the East Sea.
Sea Kumgang looks as if beauties of Mt. Kumgang are moved to the sea.
Poems, songs and slogans reflecting loyalty of the people who want to convey for ever the immortal exploits of the great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are engraved on big rocks of hills and valleys, adding value to the sceneries of Mt. Kumgang.
From olden times Mt. Kumgang has well-known legends on Kuryong Ponds, 8 fairies of Mt. Kumgang and many others.
President Kim Il Sung often visited Mt. Kumgang and looked round the Kyryong Pond, Manmulsang (Peak of Ten Thousand Forms), Ragoon Samil, Sea Kumgang, choosing the sightseeing path and the sites for rest home, camp, sightseeing route and platform and taking measures to build relaxation centres in several places.
As a result, Mokran Restaurant, Tanphung Restaurant, public service amenities and rest homes were built for tourists.
Every year many working people, youth and children have holidays and enjoy themselves in Mt. Kumgang which has enough facilities.
Visiting Mt. Kumgang for sightseeing, all foreign tourists admire its superb scenic beauties.
A foreign poet expressed his admiration saying “Don’t name any famous mountains without seeing Mt. Kumgang.”
Mt. Kumgang is well-known as a world-famous mountain as it has superb natural beauties and has been built into the people’s wonderful holiday resort thanks to the love and care of the Party and the state for the people.