Gongju & Buyeo

Twin ancient capitals of the Baekje kingdom, where Gongsanseong Fortress, the Tomb of King Muryeong, the Jeongnimsa Temple Site and Gungnamji Pond are all World Heritage sites, with Magoksa Temple and Gyeryongsan nearby.

Gongju and Buyeo, in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea, served as the Baekje capitals of Ungjin (475–538) and Sabi (538–660) during the kingdom's middle and later periods. The two towns are about 30 km apart, and eight sites between them were jointly inscribed as the World Heritage Site ‘Baekje Historic Areas’ in 2015. Gongju centers on Gongsanseong Fortress on the south bank of the Geumgang River, the Tomb of King Muryeong and Royal Tombs, and Gongju National Museum; outside town are Magoksa, a World Heritage mountain temple, and Gapsa and Donghaksa temples in Gyeryongsan National Park. Buyeo has the five-story stone pagoda at the Jeongnimsa Temple Site, Gungnamji Pond, Busosanseong Fortress and Nakhwaam Rock, the royal palace site at Gwanbuk-ri, the Royal Tombs at Neungsan-ri and Buyeo National Museum. A Baekma River boat trip offers views of Nakhwaam Rock from the water, and Baekje Cultural Land on the river's west bank recreates the Sabi royal palace. Getting there: direct intercity buses run from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Gongju and Buyeo in about 1.5–2 hours; you can also take the KTX to Gongju Station and transfer to a bus. Buses between the two towns take about 50 minutes. Allow 2–3 days: one day in Gongju, one in Buyeo, and an extra day if you enjoy mountain temples and hiking. Spring and autumn are the best seasons. During the Baekje Cultural Festival each September–October, both towns put on night illuminations, parades and lantern boats on the Baekma River, and in summer the lotuses at Gungnamji Pond are in full bloom. Most sites are outdoors and the fortresses involve plenty of slopes, so bring sun protection and wear comfortable shoes.

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