Mt. Chilbo (Estern Part)

Chongjin is the seat of North Hamgyong Province and a major industrial city in the DPRK. It is in the middle of the province on the east coast of Korea. The city covers an area of about 1,600 sq-km (6.5% of the area of the province). The average annual temperature is 7.6^oC and the average annual precipitation is about 630 mm. It has an oceanic climate so that the local temperature in winter is higher than that in inland areas and it is often foggy in spring and summer. It has 35-45 foggy days a year, mostly in June and July.

Chongjin is a big city with bases of ferrous metal industry which plays an important role in the economic development of the country and a lot of educational and cultural establishments. In Phohang square located in the center of the city are the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il. The city is 788 kilometres from Pyongyang.

As one of the six celebrated mountains of Korea, Mt. Chilbo has been said to have seven treasures. The mountain is a compound of queer-shaped peaks and rocks, steep cliffs and deep valleys covered with thick forest. Various shapes of rock gates, caves, ravines and big and small waterfalls add beauty to the mountain. It is inhabited by 800 species of higher vegetation and hundreds of kinds of vertebrates as it has favourable natural and geographical conditions and rich natural foods. More than a hundred kinds of medicinal herbs including songi mushroom, a speciality of Mt. Chilbo, and plants and animals of economic and academic value are distributed. It was registered as a world biosphere reserve in June, Juche 103 (2014).

Besides, the mountain has distinctive features for all seasons. It is divided into Inner Chilbo, Outer Chilbo and Sea Chilbo, which are all extremely beautiful and have a lot of historical relics. The average annual temperature is 6-6.5^oC and average annual precipitation is 800 mm. Hwangjin Spa with a long history and other spas are found there.