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Mt. Kumgang and the Historical Relics in and around the Mountain

Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party.

Korea, Democratic People's Republic of (Asia and the Pacific)
Date of Submission: 25/05/2000
Category: Mixed
Submitted by: Korean Cultural Relics Publishing House
Coordinates: Kumgang County and Kosong County, Kangwon Province 38°37' N / 126°04' E
Ref.: 1425

Description

Mt. Kumgang is a strikingly beautiful mountain with numerous peaks and curious rocks amounting to some 1,2000, waterfalls and pools formed by crystal-like clear waters flowing from hundreds of gorges, as well as with the seascape stretched along the coastline. Mt. Kumgang is divided into Inner Kumgang, Outer Kumgang and Sea Kumgang according to its geographical location, every area presenting the unique scenery of its own. Thanks to its natural condition, the mountain shelters various species of plants, ranging from those in Temperate Zone to those in Sub-arctic Zone, of which there are species indigenous to the area, as well as provides a habitat for a great number of animals. Mt. Kumgang is permeated with numerous legends and cultural relics handed over down through generations. Typical are the properties relating Buddhism. Buildings with long history and unique architectural forms such as Jongyang Temple, Pyohun Temple and Podok Hermitage, and Myokilsang, Sambulam and other Buddhist statues carved on the rocks make the scenery of the mountain more beautiful, blending with their natural settings.