National park · North Korea (DPRK)
Kumgangsan National Park
If you can join a Chinese tour, expect about 4,500 CNY per person; the shortest hike is the Pirobong summit (≈2 h).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
approximate
Established
2025
Best months
—
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Check your own government travel advice for North Korea b…US passports are not valid for the DPRK without special v…
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Check your own government travel advice for North Korea before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Entry is only through controlled arrangements when permitted at all; there is no independent visa route.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗US passports are not valid for the DPRK without special validation from the State Department.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to North Korea before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- North Korea (DPRK)
- Area
- 500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
- The park boundary was listed as a mixed UNESCO site in 2025; the area figure is a 2026 estimate (check).
- Established
- 2025
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Kumgangsan National Park, a UNESCO mixed‑heritage site, offers dramatic peaks, waterfalls and historic temples, but can only be visited on an authorized Chinese tour.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2025Listed as a mixed UNESCO site in 2025.
Size and age
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²) · national park since 2025
The park boundary was listed as a mixed UNESCO site in 2025; the area figure is a 2026 estimate (check).
Why go
- Scenic mountain with waterfalls, cliffs and historic temples.
- Pirobong is the highest peak (1,638 m) with panoramic views.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local forest birdsMay–Jul | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Yanji, China
Road to Rason (≈3 h), then cruise ship to Kumgangsan; tours last 4–5 days.
4–5 days total
From Rason, North Korea
Cruise ship to Kumgangsan; mainly for Chinese tourists.
≈1 day
From South Korea
No current tours; suspended since 2008.
N/A
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Kumgangsan | Main mountain area with peaks and waterfalls. | Guided tours only. |
| Outer Kumgangsan | Lesser‑visited cliffs and lakes. | Guided tours only. |
| Sea Kumgangsan | Coastal zone with beaches and bays. | Guided tours only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park; exact gate locations not publicly released.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour group fee (incl. park entry) | CNY 4,500 (≈ US$650) | person | Guided tour from Yanji or Rason; independent travel not allowed. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Tour group permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- All visitors must be with an authorized guide; independent travel prohibited.
- Photography
- Ask guides before photographing restricted areas.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Kumgangsan Hotel
First‑class hotel with 240 rooms, bar and hot‑spring bath.
Safety
Restricted military area high
Seasonal storms medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters area reachable by vehicle; trails are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Travel only with authorized tours that follow permitted routes.
- Support local homestays and purchase food locally.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kumgangsan?
Entry is only possible as part of a Chinese tour, costing about 4,500 CNY per person (includes guide and transport).
What are the best hikes in Kumgangsan?
The Pirobong summit (≈2 h, moderate) offers the best views; Kuryong Falls and Manmulsang cliffs are also popular short walks.
When is the best time to visit Kumgangsan?
Spring (Apr–May) and autumn (Oct–Nov) give clear weather and milder temperatures; summer can bring storms.
Can I travel to Kumgangsan from South Korea?
No. Tours from South Korea were suspended in 2008 and have not resumed.
Is independent travel allowed?
No. All visitors must join an authorized tour group.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Kumgangsan National Park
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