Kaesong Travel Guide

Due to the unstable situation and very high level of general risk, traveling to North Korea may be dangerous. Read more

Trek Zone

City • Unesco

Facts and practical information

Kaesong, located in the southern part of North Korea, is a city rich in history and cultural heritage. This region, known as the Kaesŏng region, offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the ancient traditions and architecture of the country.

One of the must-visit attractions in Kaesong is the Kaesong Koryo Museum. Housed in a beautiful traditional building, this museum showcases the rich cultural history of the region. Here, you can explore artifacts dating back to the Koryo Dynasty, such as pottery, calligraphy, and paintings. The museum provides an insightful glimpse into the artistic and intellectual achievements of the past.

For those interested in spirituality, the Janamsan Mountain is a must-see destination. Located just outside Kaesong, this mountain is considered sacred and is home to several Buddhist temples. Take a hike through the serene forest trails and explore the vibrant temples that dot the landscape. The tranquility and natural beauty of the Janamsan Mountain make it the perfect place for meditation and relaxation.

Kaesong is also famous for its traditional Korean cuisine. Indulge in authentic dishes such as Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles), bibimbap (mixed rice), and the local specialty, Kaesong-style bulgogi. The city offers a wide range of restaurants and street food stalls where you can savor these delicious delicacies. Don't miss the chance to try the famous Kaesong green bean cake, a sweet treat that has been enjoyed for centuries.

As you wander through the streets of Kaesong, you will encounter numerous historical sites that reflect the city's rich past. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kaesong Namdaemun, also known as the South Gate, which stands as a reminder of the city's importance during the Koryo Dynasty. The nearby Sonjuk Bridge, an exquisite stone bridge, is another architectural gem worth exploring.

Local name: 개성특급시 Settled: 700Population: 338.2 thous. (2020)Area: 505.41 mi²Elevation: 315 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 37°58'36"N, 126°33'32"E

Location

KaesŏngNorth Korea

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Kaesong Top Attractions

Kaesong Attractions - What to See and Explore

Kaesong offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Bridge of No Return, North Korea Peace Museum, Third Tunnel of Aggression, Songgyungwan. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Bridge
Bridge of No Return
Located in the Joint Security Area, the so-called "Bridge of No Return" crosses the Military Demarcation Line between North Korea and South Korea. It was used for prisoner exchanges at the end of the Korean Armistice in 1953.
Museum • Military museum
North Korea Peace Museum
The North Korea Peace Museum is in the building constructed to house the signing of the Korean War Armistice Agreement on 27 July 1953. It is located in the former village of Panmunjeom in North Hwanghae Province, North Korea.
Historical place • Museum • Tunnel
Third Tunnel of Aggression
The Third Tunnel of Aggression is one of four known tunnels under the border between North Korea and South Korea, extending south of Panmunjom.

37°59'32"N • 126°34'15"E
Songgyungwan
The Songgyungwan was the highest educational institution established during the Koryo and Choson Dynasties. It opened in 992. The institution consists of the Taesong Temple, Myongnyun Hall and 20 other buildings, including one of the largest wooden buildings to still exist in the DPRK.
Archaeological site
Tomb of King Kongmin
The Mausoleum of King Kongmin, more correctly known as the Hyonjongnung Royal Tomb, is a 14th-century mausoleum located in Haeson Village, Kaepung County just outside the city of Kaesong, North Korea. It is one of the Royal Tombs of the Goryeo Dynasty.
37°59'11"N • 126°32'32"E
Manwoldae
Manwoldae, or Mangwoldae, was the main palace of the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea. It did not have an official name, such as "Gyeongbokgung", because it was an imperial palace like the imperial palaces of China.
Archaeological site
Tomb of King Wanggon
The Mausoleum of King Wang Kŏn, more correctly known as the Hyŏllŭng Royal Tomb, is a mausoleum located Haesong Village, Kaepung County near Kaesŏng, North Korea.
Archaeological site
Royal Tombs of the Goryeo Dynasty
The Royal Tombs of the Goryeo Dynasty are a group of tombs of members of the Korean Goryeo Dynasty.
Village • Area
Panmunjeom
Panmunjom, also known as Panmunjeom, now located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea or Kaesong, North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, was a village just north of the de facto border between North and South Korea, where the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement that paused the Korean War was signed.
Forts and castles
Kaesong city walls
The Walled City of Kaesong surround the royal castle, Manwoldae. The walls have a total length of 23 km and are partially preserved. The walls were built using the surrounding landscape as a defensive structure, following the principles of geomancy.
Memorial
Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong
Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kaesong, North Korea. The site consists of 12 separate components, which together testify to the history and culture of the Koryo Dynasty from the 10th to 14th centuries.
37°59'30"N • 126°34'16"E
Koryo Muesum
Museum
37°58'29"N • 126°31'52"E
Kaesong Chomsongdae
The Kaesong Chomsongdae Observatory is located in Songak-dong, Kaesong, North Korea. It was an astronomical observatory during the Koryo period. Now only a granite platform remains, the sides of which coincide with the main cardinal points.
37°58'26"N • 126°34'4"E
Sungyang Academy
Sungyang Hall is a fourteenth-century Confucian academy located on the side of Mt. Janam in Kaesong, North Korea.
Town
Daeseong-dong
Daeseong-dong is a village in South Korea close to the North Korean border. It lies within the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The village is about 1.6 kilometers south of the Bridge of No Return, and 12 km from the city of Kaesong, North Korea.
37°58'36"N • 126°33'54"E
Sonjuk Bridge
Sŏnjuk Bridge is a Koryo-dynasty stone bridge located in Kaesong, North Korea. Built in 1290, it is famous as the place where famed Confucian scholar and statesman Jeong Mong-ju was assassinated, allegedly on the orders of the Yi Bang-won, son of the first king of the Joseon Dynasty, Yi Seong-gye.
Temple
Anhwasa
Anhwa-sa is a Korean Buddhist temple located on Mt. Songak in the historic city of Kaesong, North Korea. Once one of the smallest of the many temples in Kaesong, today it is the only one to have survived the Korean War.
Temple
Chonjusa
Ch'ŏnju-sa is a Korean Buddhist temple located on the southern slope of Yaksan mountain, in Yongbyon, North Pyongan province, North Korea. It is listed as National Treasure #46 in that country.
Archaeological site
Cherung Royal Tomb
The Cherŭng Royal Tomb is a 15th-century mausoleum located in Chi-dong, Kaepung-gun near Kaesong, North Korea. The site contains the body of Queen Sinui, first wife of Joseon dynasty founder Yi Songgye.