Mount Paektu

Short description of Mount Paektu

Mount Paektu (백두산) is the highest mountain in Korea, a volcano on the Chinese border whose crater holds the deep blue Lake Chon. The rim is reached by road and funicular from the North Korean side and is often in cloud, so a clear view of the caldera counts as luck. The mountain is central to Korean founding myth and to the official history of the ruling family, which is why the Secret Camp below the peak and the monuments at Samjiyon are part of every visit. Birch forest, lava fields and the Rimyongsu Falls fill the plateau. Snow closes the summit road for much of the year.

AI edited

Recommended length of stay

Travel seasons at a glance

Best time to visit: July – August

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

All highlights and sightsBeta

1. Lake Chon in the crater
2. Janggun Peak on the crater rim
3. Funicular down to the lake shore
4. Secret Camp at Paektusan
5. Rimyongsu Falls
6. Samjiyon Grand Monument
7. Pegae Hill log cabins
8. Birch forest and lava plateau drive
9. Lake Samji
10. Slogan trees along the forest trails

Map view

More travel destinations in North Korea

• Pyongyang
• Kaesong
• Mount Kumgang
• Wonsan
• Mount Myohyang
• Sinuiju
• Nampo
• Rason