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Planning a day trip from Sejong? Explore the UNESCO-listed Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park in Gongju, a perfect blend of history and scenic walks. Get details on parking, admission, and a recommended itinerary for 2026!
After moving to Sejong, my first day trip to a nearby destination brought me to one of Chungcheongnam-do's most recommended spots: the Baekje Historical Areas in Gongju.
Gongju holds fond memories from childhood family trips, but this was my first visit as an adult. Traveling directly from Sejong, I found the journey surprisingly convenient. Being able to visit a museum, the Royal Tombs Park, and enjoy lunch all in one seamless itinerary made for a truly satisfying day trip.
Even though I visited in the middle of a hot July, the ability to alternate between indoor exhibition spaces and outdoor historical sites made planning my route incredibly enjoyable and comfortable.
In this guide, I'll share my personal itinerary, covering everything you need to know about parking, admission fees, potential discounts, and the must-see highlights of Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park in Gongju.
Item | Details |
Attraction | Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park, Gongju (formerly Songsan-ri Tombs) |
Address | 37 Wangneung-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do |
Hours | 09:00 AM ~ 06:00 PM (Last admission 05:30 PM) |
Admission | Adults ~$2 / Youth ~$1 / Children ~$1 |
Parking | Free dedicated parking lot (If full, National Gongju Museum parking is available) |
Recommended For | Day-trippers from Sejong, families, historical and cultural heritage travelers |
Note for Visitors | Includes outdoor sections; be prepared for summer heat or rain. |
If you're looking for things to do in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, and want to explore historical sites and museums together, Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park offer an excellent itinerary.
A unique aspect is being able to not just view indoor exhibits but also seamlessly walk through the actual Royal Tombs Park.
Here’s the itinerary I followed that day:
Saeihak Garden (Lunch)
National Gongju Museum
Ungjin Baekje History Museum
Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park, Gongju
Gongju Sanseong Market
Visiting the National Gongju Museum, Ungjin Baekje History Museum, and Muryeong Royal Tomb in sequence provided a wonderfully connected experience, allowing me to delve into Baekje artifacts and history in a comprehensive way.
Is Parking Convenient at Muryeong Royal Tomb?
Yes, Muryeong Royal Tomb offers its own dedicated parking lot, and it's completely free!
During the hot summer months, even a short walk from the parking lot to the attraction can feel daunting. So, I was particularly pleased with how quickly I could access the sites after parking.
If the dedicated parking lot happens to be full, you can also use the parking facilities at the nearby National Gongju Museum as an alternative.
The standard admission fee for Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park is ~$2 per adult.
If you plan to visit Gongsanseong Fortress and Seokjang-ri Site as well, it's a good idea to purchase the integrated ticket, which costs ~$4 per person.
On my visit, I only planned to see Muryeong Royal Tomb, so I opted for the single admission ticket. However, I was able to get a 50% discount by using the Onnuri Gongju Citizen Discount (note: this discount is typically for local residents, so international travelers may not qualify).
Ungjin Baekje History Museum
Located on the path from the parking lot to Muryeong Royal Tomb, the Ungjin Baekje History Museum focuses on the records of the five kings who reigned during Baekje's Ungjin period.
What particularly impressed me was the exhibition that reinterpreted the "Portraits of Periodical Offering" (Yangjikgongdo) through media art.
Having already seen the original Yangjikgongdo at the National Gongju Museum, encountering it again as a dynamic media art display was quite fascinating. It depicted envoys from various nations entering after the Emperor of Liang, and seeing the Baekje envoy positioned quite prominently suggested a close relationship between the two kingdoms. Experiencing history through such engaging media art left a lasting impression, far more than simply reading descriptions.
And of course, during a summer trip to Gongju, finding an air-conditioned indoor space was a welcome relief!
Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park Exhibition Hall, Gongju
My next stop was the Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park Exhibition Hall.
Inside the exhibition hall, you'll find meticulously recreated models of the actual ancient tombs.
I even got to step inside the models of Tomb No. 5, built with stacked stones, and Muryeong Royal Tomb, which features a brick chamber!
Additionally, you can learn about the Four Guardians murals, various tomb styles of ancient kingdoms, and the mythical Jinmyosu (tomb guardian beast).
The exhibition also details the dramatic, accidental discovery of Muryeong Royal Tomb and the subsequent excavation process. Just reading about it made the situation feel incredibly cinematic!
Royal Tombs Park (Wangneungwon)
After exploring the indoor exhibition hall, I headed outside to the Royal Tombs Park.
It was fascinating to see Muryeong Royal Tomb in person after learning about it through models and explanations in the exhibition hall!
Currently, to preserve the historical site, direct entry into the tombs is not permitted. However, you can still walk through the Royal Tombs Park and explore the area where these ancient burial mounds are located.
I had vaguely imagined just a field of ancient burial mounds, but I was surprised to find active excavation sites still present. That was incredibly intriguing!
📍 Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park, Gongju
37 Wangneung-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
📍 Muryeong Royal Tomb Exhibition Hall
145-6 Geumseong-dong, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
📍 Ungjin Baekje History Museum
37 Wangneung-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
If you're looking for things to do in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park offer a unique opportunity to experience historical relics, indoor exhibitions, and outdoor strolls all in one go.
What makes it even better is that you can explore it alongside the National Gongju Museum. This setup provides an excellent itinerary to first delve into Baekje's history and artifacts before seamlessly transitioning to the actual historical sites. Personally, I found my route of visiting the museum and exhibition hall first, then walking through the Royal Tombs Park last, to be very satisfying.
However, you can definitely tailor your visit and start wherever you prefer.
Furthermore, during hot periods like summer, an itinerary that involves continuous outdoor walking can be quite tiring.
The availability of air-conditioned indoor viewing spaces like the National Gongju Museum, Ungjin Baekje History Museum, and the Royal Tombs Park Exhibition Hall was a huge plus, offering comfortable breaks throughout the day.
For anyone planning a day trip from Sejong or seeking historical attractions in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, I highly recommend exploring Muryeong Royal Tomb and Royal Tombs Park.
Muryeong Royal Tomb has its own dedicated parking lot, which is free to use. If the dedicated parking lot is full, you can use the parking lot at the nearby Gongju National Museum.
The adult admission fee for Gongju Muryeong Royal Tomb and the Royal Tombs Park is ~$2. The article mentions purchasing a combined ticket for ~$4 per person if you visit Gongsanseong Fortress and Seokjangni Prehistoric Site together, and also recounts an experience of receiving a 50% discount through the 'Onnuri Gongju Citizen Discount'.
Currently, direct entry into Muryeong Royal Tomb is not permitted to preserve the relic. Instead, you can indirectly experience the interior of Muryeong Royal Tomb through a recreated model of the actual ancient tomb at the Royal Tombs Park indoor exhibition hall.
The article recommends an itinerary that circles through the Gongju National Museum, Ungjin Baekje History Museum, and then Muryeong Royal Tomb and the Royal Tombs Park. Especially during hot seasons, you can reduce the burden of outdoor site viewing by utilizing air-conditioned indoor exhibition spaces like the Gongju National Museum, Ungjin Baekje History Museum, and the Royal Tombs Park Exhibition Hall.
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