The first waterfall people see when walking up Baekdusan Mountain along the Amnokgang River, or Yalu River, is the Hyeongje Pokpo, the "Brother Waterfall" or "Sibling Waterfall." The waterfall is located along the upper reaches of the Amnokgang, which flows along the North Korea-China border, and is 1 kilometer downstream from the Sagimun Pokpo, a waterfall situated at the second highest point on the mountain. The Brother Waterfall got its name because it consists of two streams of water falling side by side from a rocky cliff. Water falling straight down from an eight-meter cliff creates a rain of fog, a magnificent scene for which the waterfall is well-known. There are alpine plants around the waterfall, including rhododendrons and blueberry trees.

Korea Post's stamps issued in 2007 include the Brother Pokpo (left) and the Li Myeongsu Pokpo waterfalls.

There are many famous waterfalls across the Korean Peninsula, but waterfalls flowing over basalt rocks include only the Li Myeongsu Pokpo on Baekdusan Mountain and the Jeongbang Pokpo and Cheonjeyeon Pokpo on Jeju Island. Unlike other waterfalls that flow in the upper reaches of rivers, the source of the Li Myeongsu Pokpo is subterranean water. Underground water is then divided into various steams, and this produces a beautiful scene. Because it is underground water, the waterfall does not freeze during the winter and the waterfall and the ice and frost around it create an otherworldly view.

There is a 500-year-old Chosenia bracteosa near the waterfall. The natural monument is 30 meters tall and its average circumference is 4.1 meters. The diameter of the bottom part of the tree is 1.3 meters.

The fourth set of 'Celebrated Mountains of Korea' stamps shows scenic spots on Baekdusan Mountain.

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Korea Post
jun2@korea.kr