Kangso Three Tombs and Homam-ri Sasin

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Kangso Three Tombs

   The three tombs at Kangso stand in a quiet part of the countryside near the west coast of North Korea, not far from the Taedong River. They date from the Goguryeo kingdom, probably from the late fifth or early sixth century, and each is a grass-covered mound over a stone chamber. The Great Tomb is the best known, painted inside with a vivid picture of the Four Guardians: the Azure Dragon of the east, the White Tiger of the west, the Red Phoenix of the south and the Black Tortoise entwined with a snake of the north. The painted ceiling shows clouds, flying figures and mythical creatures. The group belongs to the Complex of Koguryo Tombs, which UNESCO listed in 2004.

   Read the complete Kangso Three Tombs write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Kangso Three Tombs is where the day begins. Next is Tokhwa-ri Tombs No. 1, 39 km on.

2. 2. Tokhwa-ri Tombs No. 1

   This is a place almost no one reading these words will be able to reach on two wheels, and it is better to say so plainly. Tokhwa-ri Tomb No. 1 lies in the countryside north of Pyongyang, in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, among a group of burial mounds from the kingdom of Goguryeo. Independent travel in North Korea is not possible. Foreign visitors, when the country admits them at all, travel only on organised tours with official guides, follow fixed itineraries and are not allowed to drive or ride. Citizens of some countries, including the United States, are barred from travelling there by their own governments, and many others are strongly advised against it.

   Read the complete Tokhwa-ri Tombs No. 1 write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Tokhwa-ri Tombs No. 1 comes up about 37 km into the recorded legs. Next is Homam-ri Sasin.

3. 3. Homam-ri Sasin

   The Four Guardians, the dragon of the east, the tiger of the west, the red bird of the south and the black tortoise entwined with a snake in the north, rule the walls of the Homam-ri tomb. Painted more than fifteen hundred years ago in the Koguryo kingdom, which dominated Korea and parts of Manchuria in those centuries, they are drawn in sweeping lines and bright mineral colours, and they twist across the stone as if in motion. The tomb is in the area around Pyongyang, in North Korea, and the whole group of Koguryo tombs was listed by UNESCO in 2004.

   Read the complete Homam-ri Sasin write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   about 86 km into the recorded legs you reach Homam-ri Sasin. Next is back through Tokhwa-ri Tombs No. 1, 38 km on.

4. 4. back through Tokhwa-ri Tombs No. 1

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Tokhwa-ri Tombs No. 1 write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   back through Tokhwa-ri Tombs No. 1, late in the day. Next is Kangso Three Tombs.

5. 5. Kangso Three Tombs

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Kangso Three Tombs write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back at Kangso Three Tombs. That is the ride.