Lake Chon is the jewel of the region and the primary reason to visit Samjiyon County. After ascending Mt. Paektu you’ll be rewarded with awe-inspiring, dramatic views of Lake Chon at the summit. Photos don’t do this place justice! You don’t need to hike the 2750m to reach the top, there is bus access just shy of the summit to hike the final stretch which only takes 30 minutes. There is also a sporadically-running funicular. It’s possible to descend down to the lake either on foot or by cable car.
The revolutionary history of Mt. Paektu is studied by all North Koreans, and many students have the opportunity to visit this spiritual mountain for themselves. You’ll often run into groups of locals marching the hillside in military garb mirroring that of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army of that time.
The border between China and North Korea cuts through the center of the lake, with North Korea controlling just over half. On clear days and with eagle-eyed vision, you may be able to spot Chinese tourists who’ve ascended the opposite side!
