Walking Baekje’s Last Capital | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

The Gwanbuk-ri Site and Busosanseong Fortress are Baekje-era remains located in the northern part of Buyeo-gun, Chungnam. Mount Buso (96.4m), the guardian mountain of Buyeo, features many Baekje relics including Nakhwaam Cliff, Baekhwa Pavilion, Sajarae, Banwolnu, Gungnyeosa, Goran Temple, Busosanseong Fortress, Yeongillu, Samchungsa Shrine honoring Baekje’s last loyal officials Seongchung, Heungsu, and Gyebaek, the military granary site, and the Suhyeol Military Camp site. Busosanseong Fortress is a tebwae-style and pogok-style composite mountain fortress built focusing on the summit of Mount Buso on the southern bank of the Geumgang River. It is believed to have been called Sabiseong or Soburiseong during the Baekje period but is now named after the mountain where it is located. As part of the Baekje capital Sabi city, it is thought to have been constructed around 538 (16th year of King Seong) during the relocation of the capital to Sabi or earlier, to protect the royal palace. The fortress has been repaired repeatedly before and after Baekje’s fall and has survived to this day. The Gwanbuk-ri Site, located at 725 Gwanbuk-ri beneath the fortress, has yielded road remains, drainage facilities, and pottery through excavations and is currently presumed to be the royal palace site. Recognized for their significance, the Gwanbuk-ri Site and Busosanseong Fortress are designated historic sites and part of the UNESCO Baekje Historic Areas. The virtual experience center of Sabiseong allows visitors to feel the relics more vividly, and the annual Dae Baekje Festival is held each autumn. Nearby attractions include Jeongrimsa Temple Five-story Stone Pagoda, Buyeo Gua-ri site, Buyeo Ssangbuk-ri site, Buyeo Hyanggyo Confucian School, Gungnamji Pond, and the National Buyeo Museum.

[구드래돌쌈밥] 쌈밥에 올리는 야채는 농약으로부터 오염이 완전 배제된 무공해야채를 농장과 계약 재배하여 식단에 올리고 있으며 일상에서 쉽게 접하기 어려운 약용초를 위주로 한 20~30여 가지의 진귀한 야채와 식용 꽃을 직접 개발한 쌈장과 곁들이면 그 맛이 일품이다. [향우정] 부여에서 생산된 쌀에, 흑미, 대추, 은행, 콩 등을 넣어 지은 돌솥밥에 구수한 된장찌개, 청국장과 함께 먹는 맛이 일품이며 직접 담근 김치와 다양한 밑반찬이 제공된다.

The Jeongnimsaji Five-story Stone Pagoda, famous as a national treasure, is a stone pagoda built at the site of Buyeo Jeongnimsa Temple. It features five stories of the pagoda body set on a narrow and low single-tiered base (gidan). The Tang dynasty general So Jeongbang, who allied with Silla to conquer Baekje, inscribed words on this pagoda meaning 'pagoda commemorating the conquest of Baekje,' leading to its mistaken and humiliating nickname 'Pyeongje Pagoda' at one time. The base has pillar stones inserted at the middle and corners of each side, and each tier of the pagoda body has pillars at the corners employing the bulging technique (baeheullim) of wooden structures, narrowing at top and bottom and bulging in the middle. The thin and wide roof stones gently curve up at the four corners of the eaves, presenting an elegant appearance. The narrow, shallow single-tiered base, the pillar form using the bulging technique, and the shape of the broad, thin roof stones all faithfully emulate wooden buildings’ styles, yet show a refined and creative design rather than simple imitation, resulting in a majestic and beautiful overall form. Valued as a precious resource since only two Baekje-era stone pagodas remain, including the Iksan Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda (National Treasure), it is a beautiful work radiating high dignity through its refined and polished artistic beauty. Along with the Iksan Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda, this pagoda built during the Baekje period can be considered the progenitor of Korean stone pagodas. It imitates the framework of wooden buildings not just simply but through an organized form expressing sophisticated and creative design, giving an overall dignified and clear aura. On the four sides of the first tier pagoda body, after Baekje’s fall, Tang’s So Jeongbang carved the merit record, but this was done long after the pagoda’s construction. Excavations in this area have unearthed many tiles inscribed with the name of Jeongnimsa Temple. ◎ Travel information to experience the charm of Hallyu - Variety show featured members performing a 'human pagoda stacking 3-mission' inspired by the Jeongnimsaji Five-story Stone Pagoda while having dinner here. There are various nearby national heritage sites where you can glimpse Baekje culture, making it a great place to visit together.

Gungnamji is a pond from the Baekje period, created by King Mu of Baekje on the south side of the palace, as recorded in the Samguk Sagi. The Samguk Yusa states that King Mu's mother conceived him through an encounter with a dragon in Gungnamji. Around the pond are wells and foundation stones remaining, representing the oldest artificial landscaping in Korea, showcasing Baekje's gardening technology. Gungnamji, with an island in the pond symbolizing Taoist ideas, is Korea's oldest artificial garden. Baekje gardener No Jagong reputedly traveled to Japan to share Baekje garden landscaping techniques. This shows Baekje’s excellence in garden design among the Three Kingdoms. It is a tourist site beautiful through all four seasons. Today, Gungnamji has developed into an ideal eco-friendly travel destination harmonizing nature and humans, with active efforts to preserve the natural environment. Visitors can experience history and nature simultaneously, with eco-friendly travel options such as bicycle and walking paths. Exploring the heritage sites deepens understanding of the historic value of the location. In July, the Seodong Lotus Festival showcases ten million blooming lotuses, and in October to November, the Goodttrae Chrysanthemum Exhibition, featuring various works, enhances the beauty of Gungnamji.

Buyeo Royal Tombs are a group of Baekje tombs located in Neungsan-ri to the east of the Buyeo-gun administrative area in Chungnam. The tombs are arranged in two rows facing south on a slope, with three tombs in each row and one additional tomb at the highest back point, totaling seven tombs. Known as royal tombs for a long time, the tombs have circular earthen mounds on the outside and inside feature corridor-type stone chamber tombs (horizontal stone chamber tombs) with the lid stones all constructed underground. Tomb No. 1 is a single chamber tomb with a rectangular burial chamber and corridor; its corridor is relatively long and flares wider toward the outside like a trumpet shape. The four walls and ceiling of the burial chamber are painted with murals of the Four Symbols, lotus patterns, and cloud motifs, which show influence from Goguryeo. Tomb No. 2 has a tunnel-shaped ceiling like Gongju’s Muryeong Royal Tomb and is considered the earliest constructed. Tombs No. 3 and No. 4 have flat stone slab ceilings, made by tilting the ceiling halfway and covering it with stone slabs, and have short corridors. This style is common in Buyeo and appears to have remained popular until the end. From a temple site west of the tomb cluster, Baekje gilt-bronze incense burners (National Treasure) and Baekje Changwangmyung stone sarira cases (National Treasure) were excavated, further supporting their royal status. Recognized for their value, the tombs are designated as a historic site and included in the UNESCO World Heritage Baekje Historic Areas. Nearby tourist attractions include Buyeo Neungan-gol tomb cluster, Buyeo Naseong, Buyeo Jungjeong-ri Baekje building remains, and the National Buyeo Museum.