Kumgangsan

Kumgangsan, Geumgangsan, or Mount Geumgang is a 1,638 metres (5,374 ft)  - high mountain in Kangwon-do, North Korea. Its name means"a firm heart in the face of truth". It is about 50 km away from South Korea's Sokcho in Gangwon-do. It is one of the best-known mountains in North Korea. It is located on the east coast of the country, in Kumgangsan Tourist Region, formerly part of Kangwon Province . Kumgangsan is part of the Taebaek mountain range which runs along the east of the Korean peninsula. The name means Vajra (or Diamond) Mountain. Kumgangsan has been known for its scenic beauty since antiquity and is the subject of many different works of art. Including its spring name, Kumgang it has many different names for each season, but it is most widely known today as Kumgangsan. In summer it is called Pongraesan the place where a Spirit dwells); in autumn, Phung'aksan ill of colored leaves, or great mountain of colored leaves); in winter, Kaegolsan: stone bone mountain). The mountain consists almost entirely of granite and diorite, weathered over centuries into a wide variety of shapes, including over 12,000 picturesque stone formations, ravines, cliffs, stone pillars, and peaks.