Go next

Ansan

city in South Korea

63km

37.3236111126.821944

Pyongyang

capital of North Korea

129km

39.019125.738

Kaechon

(개천시)

166km

39.698611125.906111
Sights (9)

Kaesong Chomsongdae

2.5km

37.9747126.5306

Tomb of King Wanggon

King Wanggon was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty and died in 943. The original tomb was badly damaged by the end of the Japanese occupation, and most of the site today is apparently recently reconstructed.

5.4km

37.98472222126.50555556

Tomb of King Kongmin

On a hill 13 km outside Kaesong are the tombs of King Kongmin and his queen; from the tombs there is a nice view of the surrounding scenery. This is a particularly good tomb to visit owing to it being in close to its original state with little reconstruction. The coffin of Kongmin can be seen nearby in the Koryo Museum in Kaesong.

8.8km

37.98194444126.47305556

Kaesong Industrial Region

Not usually on tourist itineraries, the Kaesong Industrial Area is the only example of inter-Korean cooperation. South Korean companies operate factories with North Korean workers. There are also South Korean convenience stores and banks. Due to the politically sensitive nature of this project, visiting is usually limited to South Korean business people who are investing.

9.6km

37.93333333126.63333333

North Korea Peace Museum

The building where the armistice agreement was signed. The actual documents are kept here, guarded over by a tattered, faded UN flag and a miraculously well-preserved DPRK flag. The axe of "Axe Murder Incident" fame is also stored here. Accessible from the North only.

12km

37.96107126.66447

Panmunjeom

Place in North Hwanghae, North Korea

12km

37.96107126.66447

Bridge of No Return

After the Korean war, some prisoners of war were given the choice to cross over the bridge or to stay on the side of their captors, hence the name. On 18 Aug 1976, a US attempt to cut down a poplar tree obstructing visibility of the bridge led to a battle with North Korean forces that left Capt. Arthur Bonifas and Lt. Mark Barrett dead in what was later known as the "Axe Murder Incident". The bridge is now closed and a new bridge to the north is used instead. Usually visited from the South only.

13km

37.956125126.67059722

Third Tunnel of Aggression

16km

37.91638889126.69861111

Kalma Airport

airport

147km

39.16638889127.48416667
Nature

we will see

Kaesong

North Korea
Someday we will visit Kaesong or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Kaesong

Kaesŏng is a city in North Korea, only 8 km from the DMZ with South Korea.

Located in the center of Korea, Kaesong is the southernmost city of North Korea. It is bordered by Kaepung, Changpung, Panmun, and Kumchon counties. Kanghwa Island of Incheon Municipality lies just south, beyond a narrow channel. It covers an area of 1,309 km², the urban district is surrounded by Songak (Songak-san; 송악산; 松嶽山) (489 m) and Pongmyong mountains. The city center surrounds the much smaller Mt. Janam (103 m), on which is located the city's iconic Kim Il Sung statue.

The earliest archaeological signs of habitation in the Kaesong area date from the Neolithic. Artifacts such as Jeulmun pottery, stone ware, and stone axes have been excavated from Osongsan and Kaesong Nasong, the double-walled fortress of Kaesong. As Kaesong has been occupied by various states throughout centuries, its name has changed. It was in the realm of Mahan confederacy, and was referred to as Busogap during the rule of Goguryeo. Before the strength of Baekje was retreated to the southwest of Jungnyeong, Mungyeong Saejae, and Asan Bay in 475, the area had been a part of Baekje for about 100 years.

Your notes (private)

What's on your mind? (you can type here notes just for you and they will show on your dashboard)

Information for getting there

When someday comes you'll need to get in.

Information for getting around

When someday comes you'll need to be able to get around.

Your tips and questions

Let us know your best tips about Kaesong.

Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

-1°C-10.2
Precipitation: 14 mm

Feb

3.9°C-6.1
Precipitation: 16 mm

Mar

9.2°C-0.9
Precipitation: 48 mm

Apr

16.4°C5.1
Precipitation: 83 mm

May

22.4°C11.2
Precipitation: 79 mm

Jun

25.8°C16.2
Precipitation: 103 mm

Jul

28.4°C21.5
Precipitation: 420 mm

Aug

29.1°C21.5
Precipitation: 279 mm

Sep

24.8°C15.4
Precipitation: 142 mm

Oct

19.5°C7.6
Precipitation: 46 mm

Nov

11.6°C1.5
Precipitation: 46 mm

Dec

3.8°C-4.5
Precipitation: 29 mm
Useful links