Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

This granite pagoda from the late Baekje period in Buyeo-eup, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do has been designated as National Treasures No. 9. It is generally known as the ‘Baekje 5-story Pagoda.’In the past, it would have been called ‘Pyeongjetap.’ As one of two extant Baekje pagodas, this stone pagoda itself is a precious artifact and very important in establishing the lineage of Korean stone pagoda patterns. With refined and creative features, this pagoda exemplifies the beauty and elegance that were imitated in pagodas built in later periods.


Chungcheongnam-do(Gongju-si)

The Songsan-ri Tombs and Royal Tomb of King Muryeong (reign 462-523) contains representative relics of the Baekje period (234~678). The Songsan-ri Tombs contain the graves of kings from the period when Baekje's capital was Gongju, and it is believed to contain 10 such graves. Only seven graves have been discovered so far.The main attraction of Songsan-ri Tombs is the wall painting drawn on the number six tomb – it is the only art of its kind in the world, created from the way the bricks were laid to create the wall. The tomb is shaped like a long tunnel, the top rounded like a dome. There are pictures of fire-breathing dragons on the tomb. Only the parts of the wall where the pictures were to be drawn had earth coated on, and on that earth was drawn Sasindo, the Four Symbols – blue dragon, white tiger, red peacock, and black turtle.The popular Tomb of King Muryeong is the 7th tomb, and it is the resting place for Baekje's 25th King Mu-Ryeong and his queen. This tomb was discovered accidentally when installing pipes to prevent tombs number 5 and 6 from being flooded. Tomb of King Muryeong was found to be unusual in the way it was built and what it contained. It was built with bricks like the 6th Tomb, and many national treasures were found inside, supplying scholars studying Baekje culture with precious research material. There were 108 kinds of artifacts found inside, totaling 2,906 items altogether. Twelve of these artifacts were designated National Treasures. They are all on display at Gongju National Museum. Some of the representative treasures are the crowns worn by the king and the queen, gold decorations for the crowns, gold earrings, necklaces, bronze mirrors, pillows, and foot rests. Recently the tomb was permanently sealed off to protect the treasures. However, you can look at the miniature of the tomb, an exact duplicate of the original, in the basement of the Gobungun Building.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Gwanbuk-ri Relics and Busosanseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 5) is a mud fortress located on top of Busosan Mountain (alt. 106m) in the northern part of Buyeo. The fortress is estimated by some to have been built around 538 AD (16th year of King Seongwang) to protect Sabi (now Buyeo), which was once the capital of the Baekje Kingdom. Other historians, however, believe that the fortress was already in place by 500 AD (22nd year of King Dongseongwang) and modified in 605 (6th year of King Muwang) into the structure we see today. In either case, some parts of the fortress were reconstructed during the Unified Silla Kingdom period (676-935 AD) and modified again in the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) eras.Busosan Mountain was once considered the guardian mountain of Buyeo and is home to historic landmarks from the Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-660 AD). In addition to Busosanseong Fortress, some of the most famous sites on the mountain include Baekhwajeong Pavilion, Sajaru Pavilion, Banwollu Pavilion, Yeongillu Pavilion, Samchungsa Shrine (dedicated to three loyal subjects of the Baekje Kingdom), Gungnyeosa Shrine, Goransa Temple, Gunchangji (military warehouse site), and Suhyeoljugeoji (site of pit houses for the Baekje soldiers). The mountain is also home to Nakhwaam Rock where, according to legend, 3,000 women of the Baekje Kingdom threw themselves into the river below after the collapse of the empire.Historic Sites of Busosan Mountain■ Samchungsa ShrineSamchungsa Shrine is just a short hike from Sabimun, the main gate of Busosanseong Fortress. The shrine holds the portraits and memorial tablets of Seongchung, Heungsu, and Gyebaek, who were known as the three most loyal subjects of the Baekje Kingdom. Memorial services are held for these great patriots during the annual Baekje Cultural Festival each October.■ Yeongillu PavilionYeongillu Pavilion was built on the site of Yeongildae, an observation platform located on the easternmost peak of Busosan Mountain. Kings and members of the royal family of the Baekje Kingdom once used this spot as a place from which to watch the sun rise above Yeoncheonbong Peak on Gyeryongsan Mountain, plan state affairs, and pray for the peace of the kingdom and their subjects.■ GunchangjiAlso known as “Mallichang,” Gunchangji is the site of a warehouse that was used to store grain for military use. Remnants of burnt grain were discovered at the site in 1915.■ SuhyeoljugeojiSuhyeoljugeoji, only a short distance from Gunchangji, was once the site of a pit house for soldiers of the Baekje Dynasty. The thatched-roof pit houses that stand on the site today have been reconstructed based on historical evidence uncovered during site excavation. Measuring 1m in depth with walls of wood and straw, the pit houses are neighbored by an exhibition hall that stands on the original excavation site.■ Sajaru PavilionSajaru Pavilion, located on the highest peak of Busosan Mountain (alt. 106m), is said to represent the cosmic powers of yin and yang together with Yeongillu Pavilion in the east. Adorned with a nameplate written by Prince Uichinwang Yi Gang (1877-1955), Sajaru commands an ethereal view of the moon and has long since been the source of poetic inspiration. The pavilion was also the site of discovery of the famous Geumdong-seokga-yeorae-ipsang (Gilt-bronze Standing Buddha, Treasure No. 196).■ Baekhwajeong PavilionBaekhwajeong Pavilion, perched on the cliffs of Nakhwaam Rock, was built in 1929 by a poets’ society called Bupungsisa to commemorate the story of the famous rock. According to the historical tale, the women of Baekje flung themselves off the cliffs of Nakhwaam to their deaths after the kingdom collapsed to keep themselves from being defiled by the men of the insurgent kingdoms.■ Gungnyeosa ShrineGungnyeosa Shrine is located a short distance from Taejagol (Crown Prince Valley) to the northeast of Banwollu Square. Established in 1965, the shrine honors the Baekje women who leaped to their deaths from the cliffs of Nakhwaam Rock in 660 when the empire was conquered by the allied forces of the Silla Kingdom and the Tang Dynasty of China. Commemorative rites are held at the shrine every October during the Baekje Cultural Festival.


Chungcheongnam-do(Gongju-si)

Located in Gongju-si, Gongsanseong Fortress is a mountain castle which was established during the Baekje Period (234-678). The castle is about 2.5km long, and there are two ways of touring the castle. One way is to start from the parking lot, pass the west gate, Geumseoru, and walk along the cement road. The other way is to turn left at the beginning of the cement road and walk along the top of the castle, which is called Sanseong Road. The cement road is very smooth and you can walk along it comfortably. On the other hand, Sanseong Road has many twists and the passage is narrow, but it has the advantage of following along the Geumgang riverside.When you begin the tour, the first site that you will meet is the Gongbukru, in front of the Sanseong village. From Gongbukru, follow the Sanseong Road, go over a low hill, and you will see Yeongeunsa, a small temple built in the 4th year of King Se-Jo’s reign. In front of the temple is Manharu and Yeonji, and this place is probably the most elegant out of the whole fortress. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Geumgang riverside right here. Follow the trail path a little further up and Imryugak Pavilion appears, known as the largest of its kind within the fortress. You can glimpse a view of Geumgang River, but the trees may obstruct the open view of the scenery.It is worth the visit for its historical and cultural significance, and also for the beautiful view Geumgang riverside and the castle’s trail. The whole course is about 3 km, and 110m high, and so if you travel at a leisurely pace, it will take you about 2 hours and 30 minutes.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Hundreds of Baekje tombs are scattered across Buyeo. Among them, Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs, which are close to Buyeo, have been relatively well preserved and are fairly large in size.The Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs were the royal tombs of the Baekje Dynasty from 538 to 660 when the capital of Baekje was Sabi (now Buyeo). In the Baekje Gobun Miniature Museum at the entrance to Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs, mockups and miniature tombs are on display with their cross sections exposed. Here, one can view all kinds of Baekje tombs including stone mounds of the Hanseong Era as well as those discovered in Buyeo.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Buyeo Naseong, also known as the Outer City Wall, was built to protect the capital of Baekje, Sabi. It has a x_height of about 84km. The wall surrouned Busosanseong Fortress and extended to the city of Buyeo. The wall is one of the oldest walls along with Naseong in Pyeongyang and it is estimated to have been built around 538, when the Baekje capital was changed from Woonjin (current, Gongju) to Sabi (current, Buyeo). The wall of the fortress starts from the site where Dongmun (East gate) was located to the area of Geumgang River, made by piling soil up. However, only a few traces remain of it's former glory. For now, it leaves a blurry trail including a 20m area to the east of Cheongsanseong Fortress, Dongmun Bridge from Seokmok-ri, and an area from Pilseobong Peak to Yeomchang-ri. While the outer wall is sharply sloped, the inner wall was built with a gentle slope to make it easier for horses to reach the guard posts on the top of the wall. Inside the fortress, the palace of Baekje, government offices, houses, temples, stores and protected facilities can be seen. The entire structure of Naseong Fortress features Geumgang River in the south and west sides, providing a natural double-defense system. The wall was one of the important outer defense facilities along with Cheongsanseong and Cheongmasanseong Fortresses. * Area: 554,591㎡


Chungcheongnam-do(Nonsan-si)

Donamseowon Confucian Academy was built in 1634, originally 1.5 km away from its current location. It received a royal charter in 1660 and relocated to its current location in 1880 due to flooding issues. The seowon's main gate, Ipdeokmun Gate, is made up of three entrance doors. Once inside, Yangseongdang Hall can be seen facing the main gate, with Eungdodang Hall to the left. Ancestral rites take place every February and August at Jungjeong Hall. Inside the seowon is a temple that enshrines the ancestral tablets of four prominent scholars who taught at this institution - Kim Jang-saeng, Kim jip, Song Jun-gil, and Song Si-yeol. Among the academies that served Kim Jang-saeng and his teachings, Donamseowon is considered the most important and influencial.