Gongju-si is located in the middle of Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. It is adjacent to Daejeon Metropolitan City and Sejong City to the east, Yesan-gun and Cheongyang-gun to the west, Nonsan-si, Gyeryong-si and Buyeo-gun to the south and Asan-si and Cheonan-si to the north.
Geumgang river flows through the middle of Gongju-si. It was called “Yoongjin” in the period of the Three States, and it was the capital of Baekje from 475 to 538. It holds Baekje Cultural Festival on every October along with Buyeo-gun. There was Chungcheong provincial office in the Joseon dynasty period, and it had been the seat of Chungcheongnam-do Provincial Government Republic of Korea until 1932. Famous tourist attractions are Gongsanseong Fortress, Royal Tomb of King Muryeong and Gyeryongsan National Park. There are national educational institutions like Kongju National University and Kongju National University of Education. The city hall seat is Bonghwang-dong. The administrative division is 1eup 9myeon 6dong. (Data source: Wikipedia)
Gongsanseong Fortress
Gongsanseong fortress had been anchor picket for 64 years from 475 to 538. It had been called “Yoongjin fortress in the Baekjae Period, and Gongsanseong fortress in the Goryo dynasty period. It was also called “Ssangsu fortress” in the Joseon dynasty period. The relics are Jinnamnu and Gongbongnu. There are defense facilities like Ammoon, Chiseong, Godae, Jangdae and Sugumoon.
* Ungjinseong Fortress Sluice Soldiers Shift Change Ceremony
Period: from April to October(every weekends)
Location: in front of Geumseoru, Gongsanseong Fortress
Address: Ungjillo 280, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Contact information: 041-856-0332
Website: tour.gongju.go.kr
Admission fee: 1,200 won for adults, 800 won for teenagers and 600 won for children
Royal Tomb of King Muryeong
The memorial stone of Royal Tomb of King Muryeong shows the owner of the tomb and construction date, which is unique among Baekje royal tombs. Diadem Ornaments of King and Queen have been preserved intact. They are the important materials which show high cultural standard of Baekje.
The relics are 2,906 of 108 kinds. Important relics are two memorial stones, mason, gold diadem ornaments, gold chignon ornament, gold earrings, silver ghwadae and yopae, gold shoes, Dallyong Sword with Ring Pommel, two gold headband buttons, three bronze mirrors and silver cup with stand. 12 relics have been listed to national treasure.
01. Royal Tomb of King Muryeong(Tomb of King Muryeong and his queen/No.13 historical site)
02. Gold diadem ornaments(King, No. 154 national treasure)
03. Gold earrings(King, No. 156 national treasure)
04. Baekje Cultural Festival- The story of King Muryeong)
05. Tomb stone(No. 163 national treasure)
Address: Wangneungno, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Contact information: 041-856-0331
Website: tour.gongju.go.kr
Admission fee: 1,500 won for adults, 1,000 won for teenagers and 700 won for children
Gyeryongsan Mountain
The mountain has been called “Gyeryongsan” since it looks like “a dragon with a comb”. Including Sangbong peak(845.1m), there are several peaks like Yeoncheonbong peak(738.7), Sambulbong peak(775.1m), Munpilbong peak(796m), Gwaneumbong peak, Hwangjeokbong peak, Dodeokbong peak and Sinseongbong peak.
Gapsa temple, Donghaksa temple and Sinwonsa temple are the three old temples of Gyeryongsan mountain. They are peaceful and comfortable. Gyeryongsan mountain, which shows off waterfall and precipice, are also famous for autumn leaves.
In particular, autumn leaves reach their peak in the late October. So the section connecting Donghaksa temple valley, Nambaetap, Sambulbong and Gwaneumbong peak is amazing.
Address: Donghaksa temple 1 ro 327-6, Banpyomyeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Contact information: 042-825-3002
Website: gyeryong.knps.or.kr
Admission fee: free
* Gapsa Temple Stay(One night two days): on weekdays
* Entry fee: 50,000 won for adults, 40,000 won for teenagers and 35,000 won for children
Address: Gyeryongsan Mountain Gapsa Temple, Gapsaro 567-7, Gyeryong-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Contact information: 041-857-8981
Fax: 041-857-9753
Website: www.gapsa.org
* Magoksa Temple Stay on weekends(One night two days): 50,000 won for adults, 40,000 won for teenagers
* Teenagers retreat(Two nights three days): 80,000 won for adults, 70,000 won for teenagers
Address: Magoksa Temple ro 966, Sagok-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Contact information: 041-841-6226
Fax: 041-841-6227
Website: www.magoksa.or.kr
* Taehwasan Traditional Culture Buddhist Institute
* Temple Stay on weekends(One night two days)
- Large scale temple stay is possible on weekdays
Address: Korean Buddhist Jogye Order Traditional Culture Buddhist Institute, Magoksa Temple ro 1065, Sagok-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Contact information: 041-841-5050
Fax: 041-841-6060
Website: http://www.budcc.com/
Gongju National Museum
The gallery consists of Royal Tomb of King Muryeong room, Woongjin culture room and special exhibition room. It displays 1,000 important relics including 19 national treasures and 4 treasures.
Moreover, Gongju National Museum preserves and maintains relics excavated around Gongju. It also studies ruins and conducts social education.
Address: Tourist complex gil 34, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Contact information: 041-850-6300
Website: gongju.museum.go.kr
Chungnam Forest Museum
It is the largest natural education Institute in Korea. Its themes are “the meeting with the nature”, “the history of forest”, “the benefit and use of forest”, “suffering forest”, “forest policy and the future of forest”. There is a wild animal park with green house and Asiatic black bear.
Address: Forest museum gil 110, Geumnam-myeon, Sejong City
Contact information: 044-635-7400
Website: www.keumkang.go.kr
Gongju Seokjangni Museum
It is a Paleolithic Site which is located in Seokjang-ri, Gongju-si. It is the first prehistoric culture site in 1963 in Korea.
Address: Geumbyeongno 990, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Contact information: 041-840-2491
Website: www.sjnmuseum.go.kr
