landmark
Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
The heavily fortified border between North and South Korea, offering a sobering glimpse into the division of the Korean Peninsula.
11 km · about 20 min drive
AsiaNorth KoreaKaesong
Kaesŏng
Kaesong, North Korea · Asia
About Kaesŏng
Kaesŏng is worth a stop: 25 minutes from Paech’ŏn-ŭp, 57km from Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Kaesŏng is in Kaesong, North Korea, with about 340,000 people. The nearest town is Paech’ŏn-ŭp, about 22 km away.
Kaesong (UK: , US: ; Korean: [kɛ.sɔŋ]) is a special city in the southern part of North Korea (formerly in North Hwanghae Province), and the capital of Korea during the Taebong kingdom and subsequent Goryeo dynasty. The city is near the Kaesong Industrial Region close to the border with South Korea and contains theRead more
remains of the Manwoldae palace. Called Songdo while it was the ancient capital of Goryeo, the city prospered as a trade centre that produced Korean ginseng. Kaesong now functions as North Korea's light industry centre.
During the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945, the city was known by the Japanese pronunciation of its name, "Kaijō". Between 1945 and 1950, Kaesong was under American, and later South Korean, control. During the Korean War, North Korea captured the city, and the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement left the city under North Korean control. Due to the city's proximity to the border with South Korea, Kaesong has hosted cross-border economic exchanges between the two countries as well as the jointly run Kaesong Industrial Region.
As of 2009, the city had a population of 192,578.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kaesŏng?
Within an hour or so of Kaesŏng: Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) (11 km), Gyeongbokgung Palace (57 km), Bukchon Hanok Village (57 km), Changdeokgung Palace (58 km).
Where is Kaesŏng?
Kaesŏng is in Kaesong, North Korea, about 22 km from Paech’ŏn-ŭp.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 338,155
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- North Korea
- Region
- Kaesong
- Timezone
- Asia/Pyongyang
- Coordinates
- 37.9708, 126.5544
Tags
Worth the detour from Kaesŏng
7 notable places within an hour's drive.
castle
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty in Seoul, known for its grandeur and the picturesque changing of the guard ceremony.
57 km · about 65 min drive
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Bukchon Hanok Village
A traditional Korean village of hundreds of hanok houses nestled between two major palaces in the heart of Seoul.
57 km · about 65 min drive
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Changdeokgung Palace
A UNESCO World Heritage palace famed for its Secret Garden, considered the finest example of Joseon Dynasty palace architecture.
58 km · about 65 min drive
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Insadong
Seoul's cultural heart lined with traditional teahouses, antique shops, galleries, and craft stores in a charming pedestrian street.
58 km · about 65 min drive
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Cheonggyecheon Stream
A restored urban stream running through downtown Seoul with a beautiful 10.9-kilometer walking path beneath street level.
59 km · about 70 min drive
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Myeongdong
Seoul's premier shopping and entertainment district packed with K-beauty stores, street food stalls, and fashion boutiques.
59 km · about 70 min drive
Driving roads near Kaesŏng
- 60 kmN Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower)A communication and observation tower atop Namsan Mountain offering panoramic views of Seoul and famous for its love lock fences.
- 70 kmLotte World Tower Seoul SkySouth Korea's tallest building at 555 meters with the Seoul Sky observation deck offering sweeping views of the entire metropolitan area.
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