Gongju: Past Capital

Historical Records

Gongju is one of the places that contained the historical records of the Three Kingdoms Era. Gongju, capital of Baekje Kingdom AD 457 - 538, then the capital is moved to Buyeo County. In 2004, there is a plan to move the Capital's from Seoul to Gongju because of Seoul's crowd. Gongju is a major tourism drawcard of the South Chungcheong area, particularly amongst Japanese tourists of certain ethnic descent, curious about their ancient roots. Despite of the historical records, Gongju also have the attractions in tourism industry.

The flag of the fallen Kingdom

Which Places to visit?

Tomb of King Muryeong

It was found when drainage work was conducted to prevent water penetration into the Songsanri old tombs No. 5 and 6 in 1971 and excavated for the first time about 1,500 years after it was made. In particular, people were so excited because the tomb clearly recorded that the tomb was for King Muryeong and his wife. According to excavation, the tomb of King Muryong looked like a small hill . Its diameter was about 20m and its height was 7.7m from the bottom. However, as times went by, it was seriously damaged. (Courtesy to: http://www.gongju.go.kr/english/sub02_02_02.do)

In this area also, it was founded lots of National Treasure, Including Gold decoration of the king's/queen's crown, Gold Earring, Gold Hair pin, Silver bracelet, bronze mirror , animal -shaped stone, king's tombstone, etc. 

The National Treasure in Tomb of King Muryeong

Gongsanseong Fortress

Gongsanseong Fortress(公山城), the Historic Site No. 12, consists of a mud castle of 400m long and a stone castle of 2260m stretching from Geumseong-dong, Sanseong-dong to Yokryong-dong, Gongju. The circumference and dimension of this fortress are 2, 660m long and 210,000㎡ wide. It is located on basin-type hill of 110m MSL with the road linked to the downtown to the south and Geumgang river to the north. It looks like a closed curve, which is 800m from east to west and about 400m from north to south. (courtesy to: http://www.gongju.go.kr/english/sub02_02_01.do)

This fortress is originally a mud castle, it was renovated and became a stone castle in Joseon dynasty. this fortress it the capital of Baekje Kingdom. 

Gongsanseong Fortress

(courtesy to: http://www.gongju.go.kr/english/sub02_02_01.do)

Where to stay?

Gongju Hanok Village

12, Gwangwangdanji-gil, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do 
충청남도 공주시 관광단지길 12 (웅진동)

+82-41-840-8900~6

35.000 KRW

https://visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1967291

How to get here?

To Hanok Village

Seoul Express Bus Terminal, Seoul Nambu Terminal, Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Gongju Bus Terminal
- Take Bus 101 and get off at King Muryeong Tomb Bus Stop. (9 bus stops away)
- Take a right at the first three-way intersection and walk straight until the village.

- Or, take a taxi to the venue.
(about 11 mins / 3.3 km away)