
Mountain on the China–North Korea border
Photo: Bdpmax, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Baekdu Mountains or Paektu Mountain (Korean: 백두산맥) are a range in the northern part of North Korea spanning the provinces of Ryanggang and Chagang that are of huge symbolic importance to many Koreans.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Located in Myohyangsan this is one of the country's most famous sights, showcasing gifts given to the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic by foreign dignitaries, to demonstrate how the leaders are widely admired and respected.
A camp site of the Korean People's Army, allegedly led by Kim Il-sung, during the Japanese occupation.
A summit with three granite plates carved in red letters on the southern rock and one of the most important sites of Baekdu, whose official national historiographic accords show that Kim Jong-il was born in a log cabin, which stands against the backdrop of the peak.
백두산 in Korean, 长白山 or Chángbái Shān in Chinese
An active volcano which last erupted in 1903, with a vast crater lake at its centre, it's the DPRK's highest mountain at 2,744 m (9,000 ft), and also of huge mythical importance to Koreans. The huge crater lake called Chonji ("Lake of Heaven") lies at the summit, surrounded by bare rocky crags. It is one of the deepest alpine lakes in the world, and also one of the coldest. The Chinese side of the mountain, which occupies half of the caldera lake as well, is a lot more accessible and much more inexpensive to visit than the North Korean side. Baekdusan is sacred to all Koreans, because according to Korean mythology it is where Dangun, the 'Son of the Lord of Heaven', descended to earth and founded the first Korean kingdom. The mountain's mythology has been appropriated by the DPRK's leader from 1994 to 2011, Kim Jong-il, who claimed the mountain as his birthplace as well.
Air Koryo has regular charter flights to Samjiyon (삼지연군), for tours to Mount Baekdu and, thanks to tourism, they are a fairly frequent occurrence.
Read in the guideThe only regional transport you're likely to be able to use is a government provided bus at the airport in Samjiyon.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Baishan · Regional · NBS
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Baekdu Mountains and North Korea.
Mountain ranges are regions of the earth with a high concentration of mountains.
Wikivoyage
Volcanoes come in many shapes and sizes, and their eruptions vary hugely in both frequency and intensity. Many volcanoes are tourist attractions and are worth a visit provided you take due care, in particular keeping a…
Wikivoyage
As of 2023 the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves is made up of 738 reserves in 134 countries of which 22 are transboundary.
Wikivoyage
The Korean War was a major civil war on the Korean peninsula soon after World War II (see Pacific War). It became a significant engagement for both the United States (leading the United Nations forces) and the People's…
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.