2018 The 1st trip to World renowned Unesco Cultural Heritage in KOREA

25 members of WKIC  gathered early in the morning near the Abgujung station and got on the bus headed for Buyeo on Tuesday, the 24th of April. It rained the day before, so the air was cool and fresh. Members had been very busy, but set all the busy schedule aside for the opportunity to learn the history of  Baekje kingdom, established in 18 B.C. and pre-eminent in the region for more than 700 years until 660CE. It is located southwest of Gongju and west of Daejeon.  

The 1st stop was the Baekjae Cultural Center and the Sabi Palace. We just got there on time for a guided tour and walked around the Sabi Palace. So peaceful and grand. Inside the palace, we saw the crow with three feet and other interesting prints on the robe on display. On the way to get some lunch, we passed by the Gungnamji Pond where the grounds are mostly covered by pond water in lotus shape. 

Buso Mountain Fortress was the next stop, where we got on the boat to get to Nakwaam Rock (where legends have it that 3,000 women threw themselves to death below into the river after their empire was invaded by Chinese forces), and Goransa Temple (it is said that drinking a cup of the spring water at the temple would make you three years younger.) 

Jeongnimsaji Temple and Museum had a 1,500 years old five-story pagoda which had a sad historical fact carved on the pagoda saying the Baekjae Dynasty was under the control of Chinese general. Buyeo National Museum was the last stop and it had the most precious remains, incense burner and Gilt-bronze Maitreya in Meditation on display. Such a marvelous trip on such a beautiful spring day~.  

• Buso Mountain Fortress, (부소산성, Busosanseong), located north of the rotary north the bus terminal. Busosanseong is a park showcasing the ancient fortresses through wooden-covered paths around the park. Some of the prime sights are: Samchungsa Temple (where they honour three servants from China), Yeongillu Pavillion, Soldiers' Huts, Banwolli Pavillion (with the best sights of the town of Buyeo below), Gungnyeosa Shrine, Sajaru Pavillion, Nakwaam Rock (where legends have it that 3,000 women threw themselves to death below into the river after their empire was invaded by Chinese forces), and Goransa Temple (it is said that drinking a cup of the spring water at the temple would make you three years younger.) ₩1500, 08:00-17:00 (winter), 08:00-18:00 (Feb-Nov).

• Jeongnimsa Temple and Museum, located in the eastern part of downtown area on Gongnam-ro, 5-10 minutes walk east from the bus terminal; a complex with the ruins of the lotus pond, Buddha statue and a 1,500 years old five-storied pagoda, with a museum on-site showing some of the history of the Baekje Dynasty in Buyeo. There is an impressive 65% scale model of the temple grounds surrounded by a gate and perimeter walls, located inside the museum. It appears that they are undergoing excavation of the site, and possibly rebuilding the entire site again. ₩1500, 09:00-17:00 (winter), 09:00-18:00 (Feb-Nov).

• Buyeo National Museum, located at Geumseong-ro 1, about 2 or 3 blocks southeast of Jeongnimsa Temple. Exhibition halls housing artefacts discovered through archaelogical diggings, most spanning through the Sabi era of the Baekje Dynasty. Over 13,000 items in museum. free admission (complimentary ticket but pre-booking required), M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa-Su 09:00-19:00 but Saturdays between April and October" 09:00-21:00.

• Seodong Park (Gungnamji Pond), an interesting park, where the grounds are mostly covered by pond water in lotus shape. One can walk on stone paths, or one of the numerous pathways around the pond with a pavillion in the centre, connected by a long wooden bridge. They claim that this was one of the first man-made parks in Korea. On a site to the east closer to the Hwaji Mountain, there is a monument dedicated to 5,000 soldiers. Free admission.

• Baekje Historical Park, located on the northern side of the river on Hapjeong-ri 575, in Gyuam-myeon, a re-made historical 'theme park' consisting of a royal palace, temples, historical museums and traditional villages. There is also Baekje Historical Museum onsite. ₩9,000. Open 09:00-18:00 (09:00-17:00 winter).

• Baekje Royal Tombs Park at Neungsan-ri, abt. 4 km east from Busosanseong Fortress on Neungsan-ri 16-1: site with seven tombs of the Baekje Royal families. There is a Baekje Gobun Museum with exhibitions about the tombs. ₩1,000, 08:00-18:00