Kumgangsan (금강산 Geumgangsan), literally the Diamond Mountains, is in North Korea.

The path to Koryong Falls

Understand

Kumgangsan is the second-tallest mountain in North Korea. The area is famed for its scenic beauty, and 1998 became the first and only part of North Korea that can be visited on organized tours from the South. The millionth visitor arrived in July 2005.

Get in

From South Korea

Mt. Kumgang [1], tel. +82-2-739-1090, organizes tours from South Korea to Kumgangsan. Hyundai Asan [2], tel. +82-2-3669-3000, is the company behind the tours and has some information in English.

There are two main ways to visit: either by bus from Goseong, in which case it's even possible to daytrip, or by cruise ship from Sokcho, in which case the tour takes a minimum of three days. Prices start at around W400,000 but vary greatly depending on day of departure, the hotel you stay in, etc. Non-Korean visitors are rare but welcome, although the tours are not set up for visitors with no Korean ability. Reservations should be made at least 20 days in advance.

English Tours to Kumgansan are available, as well. Prices vary between 610 and 660US$ ( as of October 2006 ) for a 2 nights / 3 days (Friday 9 am until Sunday about 6:30pm) trip from Seoul.

Laptops, PDAs, cell phones, cameras with 160mm or longer lenses, binoculars with 10x zoom or higher are not allowed. Video cameras may be confiscated at the border - unless the zoom is less than 24x. Anything taken will be stored, and returned to you upon exit from North Korea.

Foreigners do not seem to need a re-entry permit if leaving from South Korea to the North. Before going through customs you will receive a temporary passport (a small booklet with passport information written on it, a debit card to be used in tourist zones, a filled embarkment card. These will be in a plastic sheath, to be worn around the neck at all times while in the North.

South Korean exit proceedures are performed at the Goseong Observatory. There is a special line for Foreigners, (aptly, although somewhat bluntly, labelled "Foreigner"). You will receive a South Korean exit stamp. On the other side, you will be assigned a bus, that you will stay with for the duration of the tour. Remember your bus number.

Get around

Independent travel is not allowed. You will be bused around with your tour group at all times.

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Get out