SARIWON SIGHTSSARIWON SIGHTSThis area is a tourist resort including Sariwon, the capital of North Hwanghae Province, 50 km from Pyongyang, just near the road to Kaesong. The Jongbang Mountains are the most famous attraction in this area. The Jongbangsan Pleasure Ground is 8 km north of Sariwon, not far from the Pyongyang-Kaesong Highway.
Sariwon is the south gateway to Pyongyang and the capital of North Hwanghae Province. It belonged to Pongsan County, Hwang-hoe Province in the Ri Dynasty. It became the seat of Pongsan County from 1910. From 1947 it was separated from Pongsan and became the Sariwon City.
The Jongbangsan (481 m high) Pleasure Ground is
in the north of the city. The city is blanketed in the Kyongam
(140 m high) and Sangmae Mountains.A pleasure park is well
arranged in the Mt. Kyongam.
The mountain presents a magnificent blend of unspoiled natural surroundings; rare flowers in spring and red maples in autumn match the Kyongam Pavilion and Pe Rock. Kim II Sung climbed up this mountain in 1966.Therafter a pleasure park was built..
Kyongam Pavilion It was first built in the Misan-ri, Pongsan County in
1436 in the Ri Dynasty and was moved to the Kuup-ri, the seat of
Pongsan County in 1798 and was removed to the present place in
1817.
The Jongbang Mountains stand 50 km south of Pyongyang and 8 km north of Sariwon. The mountain ridges appear a square at the viewer's eye level. The mountains create a fragrant, magnificent view surrounded by grotesque rocks and a variety of flora. Its spring view is fantastic with flowers of apricot, cherry and pear. The Monument to On-the-Spot Guidances of the Great Leader Comrade Kim II Sung was erected.
Jongbang Fort The fort extends on the midslope of the mountains on the left of Jongbang Tunnel through the Pyongyang-Kaesong Highway. The fort built in the Koryo Dynasties is 12 km long in its circumference and covers an area of two km2. It was much repaired from 1632 to 1635. The four gates were built on the east, west, south and north with their upper stories. Inside the fort are the sites of quarters, armory, granary, four pools and seven wells. It is said that 48 temples were in the fort.
Songbul Temple It was first built in 898 and rebuilt several times. It consists of the five-storey pagoda, Kungnak, Ungun and Myongbu Temples, Ohongphung Pavilion, Unha Hall and Sansin Pavilion.
Nam Gate of Jongbang Fort First constructed in the Koryo Dynasty, it was rebuilt in the 17th century. Later it was destroyed in the Fatherland Liberation War and rebuilt in 1968. The gate is the largest and highest of the four gates. The arch of the gate is 6.3 m high and 4.2 m wide.
Monument to Kim Song Op It stands on the
left corner of the south gate. Kim Song Op was a patriot who
became the head of the fort when the rule of the Ri Dynasty was
in disorder. It was built in 1879 in praise of him..