Mt Kumgang, World Cultural and Natural Heritage

Biodiversity Adds Much to Beauty and Charm of Celebrated Mountain

The world-famous Mt Kumgang was already listed as a World Network of Biosphere Reserves in ２０１８ as it provides a wide-ranging habitat and biodiversity and is situated in the important position.

There are over １ ８００ kinds of vascular plants, ４０-odd species of mammals, more than １７０ breeds of birds, ２０-odd species of amphibians and reptiles, over ２０ kinds of landlocked fishes and more than ４００ kinds of insects in the mountain, consisting mainly of creatures in the temperate zone as well as of fauna and flora of arctic, subarctic and subtropical origins.

The ecological environment of Mt Kumgang, most of which has been preserved untouched, provides a wonderful habitat for wildlife.

The region is also significant in studying the course of ecological and biological development which has been changed since the influence of glaciers.

Mt Kumgang represents different sceneries for every season.

That’s why the mountain is likened to a diamond in spring when new buds come out and flowers bloom and to a land of fairies in summer when it is covered in thick greens.

It becomes full of passion and spirit in autumn when it’s decorated with red maples and is covered all white with snow in winter.

Like this, Mt Kumgang has different combinations of plants for different seasons, altitudes and sections, thus giving rise to various aesthetic inspirations.

It is the world trend nowadays to orient toward further diversifying resources for tourism, and ecological tourism takes up a big portion.

What is important in ecological tourism is biodiversity.

Biodiversity in Mt Kumgang, which abounds in varieties of fauna and flora for its peculiar natural and geographical conditions and meteorological and climatic conditions, is of great academic significance and adds so much to the value of the mountain as the famous one of the country and the world.

Rodong Sinmun