Temples, palaces, tombs and other ruins mark the route of The Silk Road as it reached its extreme eastern terminus on the Korean Peninsula. Local scholars say that silkworm breeding was practised 5,000 years ago here - citing the discovery of pottery decorated with the silkworms to prove their point.
There is evidence that other goods from the region flowed westwards, such as ginseng, furs and skins towards China and Central Asia during the Koguryo era from the 3rd century BC until the 7th century BC.
The silks of the Koguryo and Koryo Dynasties were considered the finest by surrounding countries. They were exported through Huangzhou and Beijing or directly to India and the Middle East from Kaegyong, the capital of the Koryo Dynasty at the time.
In Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a fresco on one of the palace walls shows two Koguryo envoys and it is known that the Koguryo rulers of the time were seeking alliances in Central Asia against their enemies.
At the same time, Koguryo culture was making a strong impact on Japan where the Takamatsuzuka mural, Fuzinoki tombs and Azuka temple were among the artworks and architecture clearly influenced by Korea.
Besides its Silk Road sites, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea also offers mountain sports like trekking and climbing, as well as visits to the beautiful countryside.
