Paektu Mountain
The Ch'ŏnji on the Paektusan
The Paektusan ( Kor. white -headed mountain ), Chinese called Changbai shan (always white mountain ) or Baitou shan, is the highest peak of the Changbai Mountains. The figures for vary depending on the source 2744-2750 meters. The mountain lies on the border between the North Korean province Ryanggang -do and the Chinese province of Jilin. He is the highest mountain of Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula. On the mountain, the rivers Songhua, Tumen and Yalu.
Weather
The weather on the mountain is very unstable. The average annual temperature is -8.3 ° C in the summer can be reached up to 18 ° C, while in winter the temperature can drop to -48 ° C.
Flora and Fauna
There are five known species of plants in the crater lake, and about 168 were counted on the shore. The radius of the mountain forms a habitat for tigers, Amur leopards, bears, wolves and wild boar. The forests are dominated by a local Rehart (so-called Paektusan deer ) populated. A number of birds such as grouse, owls and woodpeckers, are also native to the region.
Volcanic activity
The mountain is an active volcano. He had his biggest eruption around the year 969 with a thickness of nearly 7 on the Vulkanexplosivitätsindex, in which about 96 cubic kilometers of material was ejected. The crater and the summit caldera was filled to a large lake, Ch'ŏnji ( " Lake of the Sky"; Hangeul: 천지; Chinese:天池; Pinyin: Tianchi ). The lake has a shore length of 12 to 14 km and an average depth of 213 m. At the lowest point it is 384 m. Although it is fed by two hot springs, it is due to the height of one of the coldest lakes in the world.
Other minor outbreaks occurred during 1413, 1597, 1668 and 1702nd The last eruption occurred in 1903. Since that time, the mountain is inactive and is considered dormant. Since June 2002, characters are again detected low activity. The time interval between the shocks decreases. Since 2002, the mountain is also grown by 10 cm. It is of the opinion that a magma pond for height increase and the increase in surface temperature is responsible. Since 2003, below the Ch'ŏnji increased earthquakes, whereby gases leaked and there was a tree dying.
On 1 October 2006, a significant increase in the surface temperature was measured by a Russian satellite.
Mythological significance
Korea
The mountain was worshiped by the people especially in Manchuria and Korea as sacred Very early. According to a Korean tradition, the mountain is the founding place of the Korean people. The founding myth is called Dangun myth, both in the history book of the Northern Wei Dynasty and in the Korean " Samguk Yusa " ( 삼국유사: literally " tradition of the Three Kingdoms ") is preserved. In " Samguk Yusa " the mountain was not called Paektusan but as Taebaeksan ( Hangul: 태백산, Hanja :太白 山). Towards the end of the 10th century in the Goryeo Dynasty appeared on the current Korean name Paektusan.
North Korea
North Korean sources claim state founder Kim Il-sung had organized here by the military struggle for independence against the Japanese and his son Kim Jong- il was born here. This is highly controversial abroad. In the North Korean propaganda Paektusan is stylized into a kind of "holy mountain". Pictures, mostly of the lake Ch'ŏnji are to be found anywhere in the country. Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong- il and his mother Kim Jong -suk - Main objects of North Korean personality cult - are referred to as "the three military leaders from Paektu ". The Paektusan is the most important symbol for the high in the propaganda battle Kim Il-sung against the Japanese occupation - become glorified and for the rule of the Kim family - the founding myth of the DPRK.
China
The Jurchen awarded the god of the mountain in the 12th Century " bestowed King, the prosperity and answers in Miracles " and later even the title " Emperor, who brightened the sky in immense wisdom."
Emperor Kangxi of the Sino- Manchurian Qing Dynasty had to explain that his family of Aisin Gioro descended from Paektu. He appointed a forbidden zone around the mountain, although at this time it was disputed whether this was part of the Korean Choson Kingdom or the Empire of China.
Tourist destination
During the summer months the mountain is a popular destination for foreign visitors. Although tourism is increasing in North Korea lately, climb to be the most foreign tourists the mountain from the Chinese side. An expansion of foreign tourism on Paektusan similar to the existing tourist region Kumgang -san was scheduled for May 2008, but until now has not been realized. According to media reports, therefore, hundreds of North Korean households to be resettled. The North Korean regime makes every effort to avoid any contact with its citizens, nationals of other States.
On the North Korean side of the mountain there are a number of monuments in honor of Kim Il-sung. Paektu Spa is a natural spring whose water is said to have a healing effect. Pegae served during the Japanese occupation as storage of the Korean resistance fighters. Another attraction represents the Hyongje Waterfall, which is divided by about a third in two separate waterfalls. To visit is also a log cabin in the alleged Kim Jong- il was born.
Gallery
Waterfall on the Baitoushan
Hot Springs
Stone Men