Goguryeo tombs
North Korea UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Goguryeo tombs are an architectural ensemble and archaeological site in North Korea. This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers an area of about 2.3 square kilometers across South Pyongan Province and South Hwanghae Province. It is one of the 12 most looked-up sights in the country and ranks 11th among North Korea's sights on English Wikipedia.
Planning a visit
The best time to visit is between April and June or in October, when temperatures are milder and there is less rainfall. July and August are the warmest months, but they also see the highest amount of rain, with July having about 253 mm. The coldest period is from December to February, when daily highs stay near or below 2 °C.
To reach the site, you can fly into Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, which is 46 km away. The tombs are located about 33 km from the capital, Pyongyang. While visiting, you can combine the trip with other nearby sites in Pyongyang, such as the Ryugyong Hotel, Kim Il Sung Square, Juche Tower, Mansudae Grand Monument, or the Arch of Triumph.
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 28 °C. The wettest is July, with about 253 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | -1 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 18 | 9 | 2 |
| Average low, °C | -9 | -6 | -1 | 6 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 9 | 2 | -5 |
| Rainfall, mm | 12 | 11 | 24 | 46 | 74 | 80 | 253 | 204 | 99 | 44 | 37 | 16 |
| Rainy days | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
