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Kŭmgang-san ("Diamond Mountain") is the second-tallest mountain in North Korea, with a height of 1638 metres. It is located on the east coast of the country, in Kŭmgang-san Tourist Region, formerly part of Kangwŏn Province. Kŭmgang-san is part of the Taebaek mountain range which runs along the east of the Korean peninsula.
Kŭmgang-san has been known for its beauty since antiquity. It is by many considered one of the most beautiful places in East Asia. There are a great number of picturesque stone formations, stone pillars and peaks. Over 12,000 such stone formations have been counted. The mountain not only features a landscape formed by erosion, but also a great number of deep ponds and waterfalls. The mountain is covered in forests, thought to be most attractive in autumn.
There are many old temples around Kŭmgang-san, although not all are preserved in good condition. Probably the best known temples are Changan-sa and Maha-yon.
Since 1998, South Korean tourists have been allowed to visit the mountain, travelling usually by cruise ship but on rare occasions by bus. In 2002, the area around the mountain was separated from Kangwŏn Province and organized as a separately administered Tourist Region.
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