Kangso Three Tombs and Mausoleum of King Kongmin

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 Anak Tomb No. 1, 103 km on.

2. 2. Anak Tomb No. 1

   A few kilometres north of Anak Tomb No. 3, the same farming plain holds another Goguryeo burial, Anak Tomb No. 1, and the contrast between them is a nice example of how varied these graves can be. The Goguryeo kingdom, whose people built great mountain fortresses and left thousands of stone tombs across what is now North Korea and north-east China, painted the walls of its aristocratic graves with scenes from life, belief and the afterlife. Tomb No. 1 belongs to the same early group, with a chamber of dressed stone slabs and plastered walls, and it is part of the World Heritage listing of Koguryo tombs that dates from 2004.

   Read the complete Anak Tomb No. 1 write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

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

   Planning note

   Anak Tomb No. 1 comes up about 104 km into the recorded legs. Next is Mausoleum of King Kongmin.

3. 3. Mausoleum of King Kongmin

   Of all the places on the list of world heritage, the Mausoleum of King Kongmin must be one of the hardest to reach on two wheels, because it lies in North Korea, in the hills west of the old city of Kaesong.

   Read the complete Mausoleum of King Kongmin write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

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

   Planning note

   about 247 km into the recorded legs you reach Mausoleum of King Kongmin. Next is back through Anak Tomb No. 1, 103 km on.

4. 4. back through Anak Tomb No. 1

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Anak Tomb 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 Anak Tomb 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.