This is the underwater tomb of Munmu the Great, the 30th king of Silla (reigned 661–681), offering insight into the creative thoughts of the Silla people. It is located 200m offshore from Bonggil-ri in the East Sea and is exposed above sea level about 35m east-west, 36m north-south, and 5.3m high. Munmu continued the achievements of his father, King Taejong Muyeol, defeated Goguryeo, repelled Tang invasions, and achieved the unification of the Three Kingdoms. He also established central government offices such as the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Stores, laid the foundation for local governance with the five small administrative units and the military system of nine seodang and ten jeong. Having unified the Three Kingdoms, Munmu wished to become a dragon to protect the kingdom against invading Japanese pirates, ordering his body to be cremated in Buddhist rites and his ashes to be buried in the East Sea. This rock is called Daewangam or Daewang Rock, and an underwater royal tomb like this is unparalleled worldwide. Daewangam was made using natural rock; artificial waterways in a cross shape were created east-west and north-south on the rock island, with a small pond-like harbor in the center. A flat turtle-shaped stone measuring 3.7m long, 2.06m wide, and 0.9m thick is placed two meters underwater, believed to house his ashes underneath. His son, King Sinmun, built Gameunsa Temple near the East Sea, designing a drainage channel beneath the Dharma Hall facing the sea to allow the dragon-turned Munmu to travel.
Bonggil Beach, located at the estuary of the Daejong River east of Gyeongju city, has a white sand beach 500 meters long and 40 meters wide. Compared to other East Coast beaches, it has fewer visitors, making it recommended for those seeking a relaxed vacation. In summer, beach bungalows, tube rental shops, and snack stands provide convenience to vacationers. Slightly offshore in the sea is Daewangam, the sea tomb of King Munmu. After his death, King Munmu wished to become a dragon of the sea to protect the country, instructing his cremation and burial at sea in the East Sea. Nearby historical sites include Igyeondae, where a dragon was sighted, Gameunsaji and Gameunsa Pagoda where waterways were connected so the dragon-king could rest at night, as well as Girimsa Temple, Golgulsa Temple (the origin of Seonmudo), the monument of poet Goyu-seop, and Yongyeon.
There are two significant places to observe Daewangam meaningfully. One is Igyeondae in front of Daebon Elementary School, and the other is the site under the Donghaegu (East Sea Entrance) marker stone where the monument 'My Unforgettable Sea' stands. Igyeondae is the historic site where King Munmu, who refused lavish tombs and vowed to protect the country as a dragon of the East Sea, showed his transformed dragon form. His son, King Sinmun, obtained the priceless treasure Manpasikjeok here. The name Igyeondae is taken from the I Ching phrase 'The flying dragon is in the sky; it is beneficial to see the great man (飛龍在天 利見大人).' The current building was newly constructed based on the foundation stones revealed during the 1970 excavation. Descending below the Donghaegu marker, visitors see the monument 'My Unforgettable Sea,' erected in 1985 by the disciples of scholar Go Yu-seop to honor his anti-Japanese resolve. This monument and Go's poem 'Daewangam' stand side by side at a spot overlooking Daewangam, underscoring the significance of King Munmu's national defense will against Japanese invasion attempts justified under the pretext of Japan-Korea Unity during the Japanese colonial period, reflecting resistance dating back to the Unified Silla dynasty.
Gameunsa Temple is a Unified Silla period temple located on the east coast, established by King Munmu of Silla after unifying the Three Kingdoms to invoke the power of Buddha to repel Wako invasions. Before the temple was completed, King Munmu died, and his son, King Sinmun, completed it in 682, continuing his father's will. Before his death, King Munmu wished to become a sea dragon to protect the country and requested his cremation and burial in the East Sea. His tomb is at Daewangam, and King Sinmun named the temple Gameunsa to express gratitude for his father's grace. Currently, only two three-story stone pagodas, the main hall site, and lecture hall site remain. Along with Hwangnyongsa and Sacheonwangsa, it was a national protective temple, but the timing of its ruin is unknown. The current state of Gameunsaji was exposed and restored based on the foundational structures through a full excavation from 1979 to 1981. Additionally, a symbolic passage allowing East Sea water to enter under the main hall was created, representing King Munmu’s transformation into a sea dragon to rest. The two soaring three-story stone pagodas, symbolizing Gameunsaji, are early Unified Silla pagodas assembled from dozens of parts and are the largest stone pagodas in Korea.
