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Kuryong Falls

Kuryong Falls in winter, North Korea
Kuryong Falls in winter / Allen R Francis, / public domain

WorldBlue  In short

According to a legend, nine dragons once lived at the foot of Kumgang Mountain – they came here to protect this mountain. Hence the beautiful Kuryong Falls – Nine Dragons Waterfall – got their name.

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GPS coordinates
38.6653 N 128.1343 E
Location, address
Asia, North Korea, Kangwon, near Mount Kumgang
Waterfalls, Sites of legends
Name in Korean
구룡폭포
Height
74 m
Width
˜ 4 m

Map of the site

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WorldYellow In detail

Kuryong Falls, North Korea
Kuryong Falls / David Stanley, / CC BY 2.0

Description

This 74 m tall waterfall is located in one of the most beautiful places in North Korea. Kumgang Mountains – Diamond Mountains have the second tallest peak in North Korea – 1,638 m tall.

Waterfall has formed on a steep (but not vertical) granite slope and ends in a 13 m deep pool. Waterfall becomes especially impressive in winter, when it is adorned with ice. Site is open to tourists, there are built pathways and special platform to enjoy the view.

Fairy pools

Kuryong Falls, North Korea
Kuryong Falls / のりまき, / GNU FDL

Above the falls in a sharp and very steep bend of river have formed nine pools with waterfalls between them.

According to a legend eight fairies came to bathe in these pools. Young man saw them and fell in love.

Upon the advice of monk in nearby monastery he once hid gown of his beloved fairy. She could not return to heaven without this flying gown – and finally she married the young man.

Fairy pools above Kuryong Falls, North Korea
Fairy pools above Kuryong Falls / David Stanley, / CC BY 2.0

They had three children – but fairy longed to get back her gown. Finally, the kind man gave it to her – and she left her family and returned to heaven.

As time passed, she felt, that she can not live without her children and the beautiful scenery of Kumgang – and returned back.

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