Pyeongyang city is the center of North Korea’s politics, economics, culture, and tourism. Occupying an area of 2600 square kilometers, it has a population of 3.43 million. Pyeongyang was once the capital of Goguryeo (37-668 B.C.), founded by Jumong and Goguryeo, the very first nation of the Korean peninsula. Famous tourist sites include the Daedongmun, Botongmun, and Dongmyeongwangreung Grave.Daedongmun is the east gate of Goguryeo Pyeongyang Fortress’ inner complex. The most important of all Pyeongyang Fortress gates, it is North Korea’s national treasure #1. Botongmun Gate is also a relic from the Goguryeo era, and is North Korea’s National Treasure #2.The Dongmyeongwangreung Grave is the gravesite of King Dongmyeong, founder of Goguryeo- it was discovered and excavated in 1974. It is known for the murals of lotus blossoms that graces its walls and ceilings. Dangunneung is a pyramidal grave of nine sections built out of granite. Mt. Moranbong is named after the Moran Flower; it has four castles called Naeseong, Oeseong, Chilseongmun and Eulmildae. Eulmildae castle was built in the middle of the 6th century, but was rebuilt in 1714 and it was renamed Bukjangdae castle in Naeseong. Eulmildae castles’s spring outdoor festival (Bomnori) is one of eight famous Pyeongyang festivals. Other places of interests include the Joseon Revolutionary Museum, Joseon Art Museum, Botonggang River Park, Central Botanical Garden, and C entral Zoo. Pyeongyang is also well known for its food, such as the Pyeongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles) and kimchi-mari. Pyeongyang naengmyeon is made of buckwheat noodles complemented by a sweet pear-flavored soup. Kimchi-mari is cold rice, kimchi, and sesame oil immersed in kimchi juices.

Gaeseong was the capital of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) for about 500 years. It occupies 1200 square kilometers and has a population of 390,000. Beginning in the Goryeo era. It cultivated a history of fine craftsmanship (the Goryeo Celadon is a fine example) and international trade. Gaeseong was also active in ginseng production, and the Goryeo ginseng from the area is world famous. Tourist sites include the Seonjukgyo Bridge and Namdaemun Gate. The Seonjukgyo is a Goryeo era (1392-1910) stone bridge, and in the east there is a memorial containing the calligraphy of the Joseon era’s famed calligrapher Seokbong Han. The Gaeseong Namdaemun Gate is the south gate of the Gaeseong Naeseong Fortress. Parkyeon Fall has two small ponds, Parkyeon pond is the upper one and Gomodam pond is the lower one. Thanks to the gazebo next to the Fall, one can relax while enjoying the view. Gongminwangreung is a twin tomb for King Gongmin and his wife. In the tombs are a twelve animal mural (Jisinsang) drawn by king Gongmin. Other attractions include the Gaeseong History Museum.

With a peak at 2,744m, Mt. Baekdusan is the highest mountain in the Korean peninsula. A dormant volcano, its volcanic activity began dying down about 2 million years ago, forming its current shape. Its climate is typical of high altitudes, with extreme temperature fluctuations. The average temperature is 6~8, with an average rainfall of 1,500mm. Many rare animals inhabit the area, including tigers, bears, and panthers--as do over 2,700 plant varieties. At the peak of the mountain is the Cheonji Lake, a caldera lake with an area of 9.17 square kilometers and an average depth of 213.3m. It is surrounded by peaks on all sides, and harbors many marine life forms. Cultural artifacts in Mt. Baekdusan area include the Mt. Baekdusan Jeonggyebi Memorial, raised in 1712 to mark the boundary between Joseon and China.

Encompassing the 110km area from Weonsan (a port city) to the Geumgangsan Diamond Mountains, this area is a tourist heaven which contains fabulous shores, lakes, mountains, and temples. The Geumgangsan Diamond Mountain is home to the Birobong Peak, the tallest point of the mountain and 1,638m. With 12,000 mountain peaks, valleys, waterfalls, and ponds, it is a truly phenomenal vision of nature. There are over 940 types of plants as well as endangered fish species. Major tourist sites of the area include the Guryeong Falls, Manmulsang, Samilpo Lake, and Haegeumgang River. The Guryong Falls are the greatest of all Geumgangsan’s waterfalls, the Manmulsang is a collection of oddly shaped boulders, and the Samilpo Lake and Haegeumgang River is a place that offers the beauty of lakes and oceans. Weonsan is a port city situated on the east coast, with a population of 280,000.Sinuiju and Uiji District Sinuiju is a transportation hub located at the mouth of the Aprokgang River. Sinuiju city is laid out in the form of a checkerboard, with the northeast region occupied by government agencies and residences, and the industrial area on the Aprokgang River. With an area of 10.6 square kilometers and a population of 32,500, Uiju is a major city not far behind Pyeongyang or Gaesong, filled with historical artifacts that include the Tonggunjeong. The Tonggunjeong is a raised gazebo, which served as a military lookout during the Goryeo era. Its festive structural design is notable.