Baekje 8th Best Historical Places in Buyeo City - Information

As explained at the “Three Old Dynasty Division with Capital”herein, Korea was divided by three major dynasties at old times, first Goguryeo Dynasty situated at North with capital in Pyeongyang and very wide territory even covering present China area, second Baekje Dynasty situated at South West with capital as Buyeo and third Shilla situated at South East with capital as Kyeongju. I would like to introduce best 8 historical places in Baekje Dynasty today. I have summarized outline of each one for the brief introduction. If you want to know more details of each one, please see http://www.buyeo.go.kr/html/en/ . All eight places are located in Buyeo City area which would not take so longer times to take look around since they are situated in one medium size city, Buyeo which at the middle of South Korea.  I estimate about 1 night and two days should be enough to cover these areas. 

There are several ways going there by express bus or by normal train or by super high speed train (KTX) or limousine. I personally suggest you would better use limousine transporting from the Incheon Airport to Buyeo City and taking 3 hours and 20 minutes. They are running three times a day inbound and outbound at Incheon Airport and Buyeo City Terminal.

1.   the Archaeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busosanseong Fortress

The Archaeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busosanseong Fortress, which are the ruins of a royal palace dating from the Sabi period of Baekje (538~660), are located in the north part of Buyeo. Busosan Mountain stands 106m tall, and the peak overlooks the winding Baengmagang River that envelops the city. Busosanseong Fortress traverses the ridges and valleys of this mountain, and on the southern foothills lays the Archaeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri, which is the Baekje palace site from the Sabi period.

Relocation of the Capital to Sabi, and the Archaeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busosanseong Fortress.  Ungjin (present-day Gongju) had been a strategic location for defense against the threats from Goguryeo, but it lacked the necessary characteristics required of a capital in relation to its natural geographic limitations resulting from its small area.

Thus, a consensus was reached on the need to found a new capital, and attention was turned to Sabi (present-day Buyeo), located south of Ungjin. King Seong (r. 523~554) relocated the capital from Ungjin to Sabi in 538, and the brilliant culture of Baekje flourished in the new capital for 123 years.

2.   Jeongnimsaji Temple Site

The Jeongnimsaji Temple Site, located in the heart of Buyeo, is one of the most well-known temple sites dating from the Baekje period. It is surrounded by mountains, which Geumseongsan located on its east and Busosan on its north.

Jeongnisamji, which was situated at the center of the capital during the Sabi period, contains a stone pagoda, with an inscription describing the story of how the Tang dynasty caused the fall of Baekje. This implies that Jeongnimsa was a symbolic place that shared the same fate as the Baekje Kingdom.

Jeongnimsaji has the typical layout of temples dating from the Baekje period. The middle gate, stone pagoda, Geumdang (Golden Hall), and auditorium were built in a straight line in the north-south direction, and they were surrounded by the living quarters of the monks and passageways.

3.   Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs

The Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs consist of 7 tombs located on the southern base of the 121m-tall Neungsan Mountain, which stretches in the west-east direction outside Sabidoseong. The owners of these ancient tombs are known to be the kings of Sabi Baekje and the royal family members.

This location is considered an ideal place, based on Pungsujiri (geomancy), as it is surrounded by ridges that are classified as Cheongnyong (Blue Dragon) and Baekho (White Tiger) on the left and right sides of Neungsan Mountain. It is also considered ideal because Baengmagang River flows across it.

After the existence of the Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs came to be known in 1915 during the Japanese occupation period, an excavation survey took place from 1916 until 1917, and this led to the discovery of 6 ancient tombs (Tombs No. 1 ~ 6: Jungsangchong, Junghachong, Seosangchong, Seohachong, Dongsangchong, and Donghachong tumuli). The seventh tomb was discovered during the repair work performed in 1971.

4.   Naseong Fortress

Naseong Fortress was the first fortress to be built during the Three Kingdom Period. It was built as an 8km-long fortress to protect and defend Sabi, the capital of Baekje. It starts at Busosanseong Fortress located on the northern end of the city, and wraps around the city on the north and east sides. The western and southern areas of the city were protected by the Geumgang River, which naturally served as a defensive barrier, and the bank that formed due to the flooding of the river served the role of a fortress.

In addition to its defensive function, Naseong served as a symbol that distinguish the areas inside and outside the capital. Its symbolism is also highlighted by the fact that the Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs, which were the royal tombs of Sabi Baekje, were built immediately outside Naseong, based on the principle of burying the dead outside the capital.

It has been around 1,500 years since the construction of Naseong Fortress, but most of the fortress wall remains intact today to demonstrate its majestic sight. Scientific excavation surveys have been conducted on the site since 1991, which has helped and provide more insight into the fortress.

5.   Jeongnimsaji Five Story Stone Pagoda

This Five Story Stone Pagoda has been erected at Jeongnimsaji site in Buyeo City which is built on the 1^st story foundation. Baeje Dynasty was destroyed by consortium army between Shilla and Dang (Old China). Sojeongbang, leader general of Dang left their victory at these records at the pagoda which made confusion to some Archaeology. This pagoda was one time called as Pyeongjetap with Korea shame. Foundation of pagoda has been made with square stone which is well supporting by five round columns positioning at center and each corner of squares. Pagoda body has been assembled with five stories which is supporting by four supporting columns at each edge. In order to prevent from aging or deformation, they made special design which shapes with a thicker core at the center of the square stone as they normally applied at wooden square layer in wooden house design. Stone roof is with thin stone layer on top of the pagoda which is run down to each corner from the middle of the roof and slightly lifted at each edge of the square stone roof. This particular design is elegant and graceful. This pagoda is typical Baekje pagoda along with Miruksaji Stone Pagada which we could say as a origin of stone pagoda in Korea. 

6.   Baekje Geumdong Daeheangro (Golden Incense Burner)

This is great golden incense burner which is 61.8cm high and weighing 11.8kg and which is generally divided with two parts, the one is body and the other lid. We could also divide with lid part as two parts, first one is lid body and second one a phoenix part. We could also divide with body part as body part and foundation part which is supporting the body part. That means we could say this Golden Incense Burner is consisting with four parts in detail. Upper phoenix part was fixed on the lid which is engraving as shape of strongly standing with widely opening two wings and taking magic pearl with beak respectively with neck. End of her tail is smoothly rising which is Baekje unique design style. There are five holes at chest of phoenix and musician which is naturally raising scent through these chest holes. While body part looks like full opened lotus flowers and lotus leaves which is engraving total 26 different kinds of animals like phoenix, fishes, dear, cranes and so on. There is a foundation at lower part engraving as dragon heading the foundation up. They are exhibited at National Buyeo Museum in Buyeo City.

7.   Buyeo Neungsanri Sari Seokjoyeoraegam 

Sari means remaining crystal sometimes after month cremation. We learned only well and hard cultivating month would possibly leave Sari after their cremation. This Sari Hall is a place to keep Sari which is shaped as upper part as arch style and lower part as rectangular shape just like tunnel which is 50cm X 50 cm square at bottom with 74cm high. You could figure as 50cm width and 74cm height and covering arch stone as tunnel.

There are ten Chinese letters at left and right in front of Sari Hall saying as this Sari hall was erected and constructed by Changwang (King) year in 554 which was containing Sari offered Princess, Changwang Sister. They are exhibited at National Buyeo Museum in Buyeo City.

8.   Buyeo Kyuamri Geumdong Kwaneumbosal Iepsang (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy)

This Buddhist Goddess of Mercy with 21.1cm high was discovered and founded in 1970 at Buyeo City with others at temple site like caldron and other Kwaneumbosal.

The Kwaneumbosal is wearing gold crown on her head engraving little Buddha and features in round face with soft smile and hanging thin necklace on her neck which cross over at lotus decoration around waist. She took a dress which is hanging over her chest with two lines which is one time folded at waist line and after that straight running down to top of foot with expression of fine wrinkles at both legs. Her right hand is gently holding small glass ball between thumb and index finger and het left hand holding down with smoothly holding dress. She is standing on top of double layer foundation engraving lotus which is expressing neat feeling.

Natural features is at her face and well balanced between head and body which give us hint this sculptures form Baekje at early 7 century. They are exhibited at National Buyeo Museum in Buyeo City.