Korea Places to Visit

Korea travel guide

Tomb of King Munmu (경주 문무대왕릉)

1366-9, Donghaean-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

A little rocky islet approximately 200 meters from the shore at Bonggil-ri is the Tomb of King Munmu (AD 661-681), who unified the three kingdoms and became the 30th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. The king gave specific instructions to be buried in the East Sea after his death so that he would become a dragon and protect Silla from foreign invaders. The rocky island, about 200 meters in circumference, is divided by a cross-shaped waterway, forming a pool at the center, at the bottom of which is a granite stone 3.6 meters long, 2.9 meters wide and 0.9 meters thick. Legend has it that the remains of King Munmu’s cremated body are buried under this rock. Historians still debate whether the ashes of the King Munmu were scattered or stored in an urn and placed under the rock.

Korea travel guide

Tomb of King Suro (수로왕릉)

26 Garak-ro 93beon-gil, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

King Suro founded the Garak Kingdom in AD 42 and married Heo Hwang-ok, a princess from the Indian country of Ayuta, in AD 48. He was the founder of the Gimhae Kim family. Heo Yeop, a Yeongnam governor, gave the tomb its current look in the 13th year of the reign of King Seonjo (1580). The tomb compound includes various buildings, including the Sungseonjeon (where the ancestral tablets of King Suro and his queen are kept), Anhyanggak, Jeonsacheong, and Jegigo, as well as stone structures, such as a sindobi (tombstone) and gongjeokbi (monument established to pay homage the deceased). The tombstone in front of the royal tomb was built in the 25th year of the reign of King Injo (1647) of the Joseon dynasty. The name Sungseonjeon was bestowed on the tomb by King Gojong in the 21st year of his reign (1884).

Korea travel guide

Tomb of Queen Seondeok (경주 선덕여왕릉)

Baeban-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

The Tomb of Queen Seondeok is a round tumulus with a circumference of 73 meters. Aside from the fact that it is circled by a protective two-layer rock, the tomb has no other unique features. As the oldest daughter of King Jinpyeong, Queen Seondeok became the first queen of the Silla Kingdom. During the 16th year of her reign, Bunhwangsa Temple and Cheomseongdae Observatory were built. She also ordered the construction of the famous nine-story wooden pagoda of Hwangyongsa Temple, a significant achievement of Buddhist architecture. While many of her efforts laid the foundation for the unification of Three Kingdoms of Korea, Queen Seondeok’s reign was plagued by rebellion and strife and she died in 647 during a rebellion, 23 years before unification was realized.

Korea travel guide

Tomb of Seven Hundred Patriotic Martyrs (Geumsan) (금산 칠백의총)

50, Uichong-gil, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do

The Tomb of Seven Hundred Patriotic Martyrs is a renowned historical attraction located in Geumsan, Chungcheongnam-do. This holy site is interred with 700 patriots who died in a battle against 15,000 Japanese soldiers in Geumsan during the Imjin War in 1592. Among the deceased is the leader, Jo Heon. Shrines and monuments were built in memory and respect of the patriotic spirit of those who died in the battle. The site is especially popular among families with children as an attraction as visitors can learn a valuable history lesson as well as enjoy a relaxing walk around the area. In addition, the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea hosts an annual ceremonial rite every year on September 23 at 15:00, offering more to see for visitors.