Korea (DPR)

Kaesong

WHS Score 2.37
rate
Votes 18 Average 2.75
Show votes
Votes for Kaesong

1.5

  • Mikko
  • Zoë Sheng

2.0

  • Adrian Turtschi
  • Ammon Watkins
  • basementonline
  • Szucs Tamas
  • Vernon Prieto

2.5

  • AC
  • Philipp Leu
  • Solivagant

3.0

  • finsbury_jo
  • Hanming
  • Pieter Dijkshoorn
  • Sophie

3.5

  • Tcchang0825

4.0

  • Christravelblog

4.5

  • GygerTraveler

5.0

  • Tamara Ratz

The Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong represent the capital of the Koryo dynasty with its associated tombs and set of beliefs.

The Koryo (918-1392) unified Korea and during their reign, Buddhism was replaced by Confucianism as the main religion. Kaesong was developed in a geomantic setting, using the surrounding mountain tops as markers. The designated area covers 12 remaining Koryo monuments and sites, including parts of the city walls, former educational institutions, memorial sites and mausolea.

Community Perspective: Kaesong usually features on the itineraries of the standard guided tours of North Korea, but which parts you get to see is a matter of luck. Solivagant was led to King Kongmin’s Tomb and had some views of old-looking buildings from afar. AC went to Sonjuk Bridge, the Namdaemum, the Koryo Museum and the tomb of King Wang Gon.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong (ID: 1278)
Country
Korea (DPR)
Status
Inscribed 2013 Site history
History of Kaesong
2013: Inscribed
Inscribed
2012: Incomplete - not examined
2008: Deferred
Reconsider sites to hold significant and representative examples of the Koryo Dynasty
WHS Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • ii
  • iii
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
News Article

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Urban landscape: Asian
Travel Information
Guided Tour Only
News
english.yonhapnews.co.kr 09/12/2018
Koreas to restart joint excavation…

Community Reviews

Show full reviews
First published: 28/04/16.

AC

Kaesong

Kaesong (Inscribed)

We were taken on a whirlwind tour of Kaesong city. Within less than two hours we got to see the Sonjuk Bridge, the Namdaemum, the Koryo Museum and the tomb of King Wang Gon. Most visitors I think get to see the museum. The bridge was thrown in because we had lunch at the nearby restaurant (which I discovered to my surprise was within the core zone) and some of us asked to see it. That particular tomb was chosen instead Kongmin's, I cannot help but suspect, because Wang Gon was the founder of the Koryo and credited with unifying the Korean nation. And we drove by the Namdaemun twice, when entering and leaving the city.

We found out that the tomb of Wang Gon could be entered at a lovely price of 100 euros per person.

I am not quite sure what to think of what I had seen. There was hardly any time to absorb anything and the guides were bent on ensuring that we could get back to Pyongyang in time that same day to see the birthplace of the eternal chairman. But I guess I should be grateful that I even got to see four sites.

Keep reading 0 comments
First published: 26/06/08.

Solivagant

Kaesong

Kaesong (Inscribed)

Kaesong by Solivagant

A row of tourist faces looked out over the locked gate of their hotel compound in Kaesong. Beyond it North Koreans passed by, walking or cycling their way to work – but their gaze was fixedly averted away from the tourists. A policeman "directed" the non existent motor traffic. On the other side of the T junction the rows of attractive stone houses with low tiled roofs receded into the distance. But all thought of communication with the locals or wandering along those streets was useless – we were “imprisoned” in our hotel as this was tourism North Korean style!

But, if you go to DPRK you just have to accept these restrictions, you may try to break or just stretch them but you probably don’t want to get your guide into trouble – ours was a lady who was certainly no party hack but just someone trying to make a living in this very strange society – naïve and propagandised yes but also intelligent, not “pushy” of the party line and generally very pleasant and “nice”.

I wonder how ICOMOS will view Kaesong’s application for inscription? I am still rather amused at the recommendation after its visit to the Koguryo Tombs which were inscribed in 2004 that a “Visitor’s Management Plan” should be produced. For goodness sake - visitors here are the most “managed” anywhere in the world!!!! No one (foreigners or locals) goes to see ANYTHING in an uncontrolled way! ICOMOS/UNESCO seemed prepared then to overlook even matters …

Keep reading 0 comments