19 Dec 2008, Posted by Matt in Art & Culture, Chungcheong, Historic Korea, 2 Comments
Gongju’s Songsanri Tombs

Gongju’s well-kept royal burial mounds turn gold in autumn.
During ancient Korea’s Three Kingdoms period, the culturally sophisticated Baekje Kingdom (18BCE-660) sought a new capital when its principal city near Seoul was sacked. The city of Gongju (then Ungjin) was chosen, and for 63 years its spectacular temples and palaces thrived until the city was destroyed by a Silla-Tang China coalition in 660.
Today, this town in South Chungcheong Province has several important cultural attractions that remind guests of Baekje’s glory, but often escape notice from travelers to Korea. And among the most interesting is the Songsan-ri Burial Mounds.



