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Baikdusan The Baikdu Mountains(Baikdusan) are the ancestral mountains
worshipped by the Korean people From a long time ago, they have been called Baikdu since they have had a long range of mountain ridges and rise in grandeur capped with white snow and covered with pumice on the top. It is said that once 180 volcanoes burst into eruption around the mountains and continued to occur until the 1700s. This resulted in the formation of Chonji(Lake Chon), the formation of which is attributable to the gathering of water in the crater on the top. Numerous peaks which consist of the outer rims of crater are the highest Janggun Peak(Janggun-bong) and other peaks like the Hyangdo, Haepal,Ssangmujigae, Tangyol, etc.
The Baikdu Mountains present magnificent views harmonizing with the spectacular mountain features seemingly skyscraping with ten thousand forms of sharp cliffs by repeated rain and wind, the grand Lake Chon and boundless land and forests. The distance is recorded 385 km from Pyongyang. They are accessible by plane or by train. Airplane is more appreciated. Travel by train takes up to 20 hours, but 1 hour is enough by air. The Baikdu Mountains tour starts at the Pegaebong Hotel lying in a forest 2 km west of the county seat. The main routes are an ascending route to the Lake Chon (Pegaebong Hotel-Baikdusan Secret Camps-Baikdu Falls-Lake Chon-Mudu Peak-Sinmusong) and a descending route (Lake Chon-Mudu Peak-Sinmusong-Lake Samji-seat of Samjiyon-Pegaebong Hotel). The other route is Lake SamjiRimyongsu (23km)-Lake Samji-seat of Taehongdan (74 km). In case of starting at Hyesan, the route Hyesan-PochonLake Samji (73 km) may be chosen. The ascending routes are from the seat of Samjiyon to the Baikdusan Secret Camps or from the Lake Samji to the Mudu Peak. SAMJIYON
FALLS OF Baikdu MOUNTAINS Two falls pour down side by side along the rocky cliffs, thus being called the Hyongje (brother) Falls. Then the Baikdu Falls 16.3m high is reached after one km climb from the Hyongje Falls. And the Sagimun Falls is viewed a little curve up to the right. The falls runs down through three tiers. It is 18m high.The Baikdu Bridge appears 4.4 km northeast of the Sagimun Falls LAKE CHON(Chonji) It is a crater lake viewed from the ridge of Baikdu Mountains. About one million years ago volcanoes had burst into eruption to make this lake. The water surface is 2,257 m high above sea level. The Lake Chon occupies the rate of 40.6 percent in the total width of crater of the Baikdu Mountains. Its circumference measures 14.4 km round while the maximum length records 4.64 km, maximum width 3.55 km, average width 1.97 km, area 9.16 sq km, volume of water 1.955 billion cubic metres, average depth 213.3 m and maximum depth 384 m. The shore has many high and low peaks, rocky cliffs, several small basins and gentle slopes linked with the cliffs. The lake is covered with ice from mid-October to mid-June next year. A spa is at the northern shore of lake. 126 species of plants of 35 families, various small animals and insects live in the shore. Famous rhododendron blooms even in snow and the varieties of rare flowers enrich the flora of the mountains. And a legend has it that 99 fairies took baths and flied to heaven. An aerial cableway offers a variety of natural sights of the Lake Chon. Baikdu BRIDGE A small bridge is seen after 2 km run down from the Lake Chon by cableway. This Baikdu Bridge is passed by Lake Chon visitors MUDU PEAK The Mudu Peak rises 1,930 m high 8 km down from the Baikdu Bridge. As a parasitic volcano of the Baikdu Volcanoes, its top is covered with pumice stones. Five lodgings were set up on the peak. The lodgings offer dining rooms, a shop and bathrooms catering to the 100 explorers LAKE SAMJI The Lake Samji is an alpine lake situated 6 km northeast of the Pegaebong Hotel via the county seat. Seven pools are in the lake, but no water flows in and out. Among them three pools lie side by side. Water stays always in the three pools. Hence the name Lake Samji. It covers an area of 0.46 square kilometres and circumference 4.5 km. It measures 3 m deep. The lodgings of workers, students and children and a hall were set up in specific styles. Also at the shore is the Samjiyon Grand Monument. RIMYONGSU FALLS The Rimyongsu Falls flows out from the crevices of basalt cliffs, not from the mountain top. So it affords a peculiar view. The average height of the falls is 6 m and average width 4 m. The falls has five streams and the volume of water from the largest stream amounts to be 0.8 §© per second. Duman river (Duman gang) This area includes Hoeryong, Onsong and Saepyol opposite China along the River Tuman. The area is situated in the middle region of the Tuman River across Longjing, Tumen and Hunchun, the riverside cities of China. The location of the area provides convenient access for a small border travel with China. Tourism of this area is enhanced by the traditional northern culture and nature besides revolutionary sites and battle sites, parks, pleasure grounds and educational institutes which harmonize with shopping. The area is accessible by car. AMNOK RIVER(Amrok gang) The River Amnok is the longest river in Korea. It flows from the southwest foot of Janggun Peak to the West Sea of Korea running along the Korean and Chinese border. It is 803 km long. |
from time immemorial. And they are the most
famous among the five celebrated mountains of Korea. The mountains with the
height of 2,750 m stand in the northwest of Samjiyon County, Ryanggang Province
which shares a border with China.
The mountains have a cold continental climate. Irregular special
winds blow and the weather is very changeable. Spring begins at the end of May
on the top and the temperature of the mountains is less than 20¡É even in summer.
Winter continues to last 8 months. The average annual precipitation is about
1,500 mm. They are the region with the heaviest snowfalls in Korea and have
the longest period of snow coverage. Snow covers 1.5 m to 2 m.
Situated at the height of 1,380 m, the seat is covered with
forested peaks of 90.9 percent. The Lake Samji is 4 km east of the county seat
and the Pegaebong Hotel 2 km west of the seat. Blueberry goods including
blueberry jelly and handicrafts are the most popular items that visitors buy.