Gongju Muryeongwangneung Royal Tombs: Parking & Museum Tips 2026

Essential Stops for Your Gongju Trip

Tomb of King Muryeong & Royal Tombs Park, Ungjin Baekje History Museum

Pro Tips: 50% Off Parking & Admission!

During the last golden long weekend, I embarked on a 1-night, 2-day trip to Gongju,

hoping to gently embrace the spirit of Baekje (?).

After a delicious meal at Gomgol Restaurant, famous for its Gongju cuisine,

and a sweet energy boost at Cafe Bameu, our next destination was

the Tomb of King Muryeong and Royal Tombs Park – an essential stop on any Gongju itinerary,

and even a UNESCO World Heritage site!

While planning our 1-night, 2-day trip to Gongju, I strongly insisted that, even if we missed other places,

the Tomb of King Muryeong and Gongsanseong Fortress were absolute must-sees.

To cut to the chase, it was incredibly satisfying!

Gongju Tomb of King Muryeong Parking Information

First things first, let's talk about parking!

The Tomb of King Muryeong boasts a wonderfully spacious and well-maintained dedicated parking lot.

And even if it's full, no worries!

Temporary parking lots are available in several spots nearby, including Ungjin Library,

Gongju Arts & Culture Center, and Munhwanorimadang (Culture & Play Square).

What's more, parking is completely free,

making it super convenient to visit without any added cost!

We conveniently parked at Ungjin Library and walked over.

After parking, it's about a 200m walk to the ticket office.

Ungjin Baekje History Museum

Before reaching the ticket office, we spotted the Ungjin Baekje History Museum!

This is a fantastic place to get a quick overview of Baekje's Ungjin period history

before diving into King Muryeong's Tomb. And guess what? Both parking and admission are absolutely FREE!!

Since it's an indoor exhibition hall, you can comfortably explore, regardless of the weather,

and enjoy the cool air conditioning – perfect for a leisurely browse.

Right as you enter, you're greeted by a prominent statue of King Muryeong,

the ruler who transformed Baekje into a powerful nation.

The exhibition hall is divided into three main sections, and it's surprisingly interesting!

A large screen vividly illustrates the process of Baekje relocating its capital from Hanseong to Ungjin (modern-day Gongju),

and the scale of the presentation is quite grand.

It was engaging and fun to learn about the five kings who led Baekje's renaissance

by touching the screen interactively.

Exhibition Hall 2 is where you can explore the diverse facets of Baekje,

which revived as a powerful nation!

There's even an interactive book where you can 'flip through' the key relics of the Baekje capital – the immersion level is truly incredible! Haha.

Next, we completed our appreciation of the brilliant culture and art of Baekje, a cultural powerhouse!

It's said that Baekje developed its own unique culture through active exchange with various neighboring countries!

After this quick 'pre-study' at the Ungjin Baekje History Museum,

it was finally time to move on to the Tomb of King Muryeong~ Let's go!

Gongju Tomb of King Muryeong and Royal Tombs Park

Here, you're greeted by a Jinmyosu, a mythical animal believed to guard ancient tombs.

It feels particularly special because this Jinmyosu is said to be the first of its kind

ever unearthed from an ancient Korean tomb, right here at King Muryeong's Tomb.

Admission Fees and Hours

Here's a super important travel tip!

The original adult admission fee is ~$2 per person,

but I smartly got a 50% discount here, so two of us

entered for just ~$2 total.

When I showed the Onnuri Gongju Citizen Card,

operated by Gongju City, on my phone, the half-price discount was

applied immediately!

I also received consecutive discounts not just at King Muryeong's Tomb,

but also at Gongsanseong Fortress, cafes, and bakeries. I'll share

how to get this amazing must-have item in a detailed, standalone post soon, haha!

Once you get your tickets and go inside, it feels like a park,

perfect for a nice stroll.

Gongju King Muryeong's Tomb and Royal Tombs Exhibition Hall

Currently, the actual King Muryeong's Tomb has been

permanently closed to the public since 1997 for cultural heritage preservation. However, you can see a

life-sized replica in the exhibition hall instead.

Seeing the dome-shaped stone chamber tomb, built by stacking stones,

I was amazed at how they managed to create such a structure.

Tomb No. 6, a brick tomb adorned with coin-patterned bricks and murals of the Four Guardian Deities,

was also fascinating.

And finally, the magnificent King Muryeong's Tomb!

It's incredibly intricately designed with lotus-patterned bricks.

Although it's a replica, seeing it up close was

far more grand and awe-inspiring than I expected.

To think it's the only Baekje royal tomb never plundered... its majesty is truly something!

I also took a quick look at the artifacts unearthed from King Muryeong's Tomb.

Royal Tombs Outdoor Walking Path

After visiting the exhibition hall, you can step outside

and see the actual royal tombs.

I noticed there were a lot of families with children, and I overheard a mother next to me saying

that back in her "latte days" (when she was young), you could actually go inside those royal tombs!

Those who might have hoped to see the interior, like at

Cheonmachong Tomb in Gyeongju, might feel a little disappointed.

But it's unavoidable for the permanent preservation of such precious cultural heritage,

so let's be content with the replicas!

Some areas were under construction, and there were even

archaeological excavations happening, which was fascinating.

The outdoor walking paths were also very well maintained,

so even though the weather was incredibly hot, walking amidst the lush green scenery

was just perfect.

You actually have to do quite a bit of walking, so when you visit the Royal Tombs of King Muryeong,

sneakers are an absolute must!!

Feeling the cool breeze as I walked through the forest paths of King Muryeong's tomb,

it was such a refreshing experience!

The weather was clear, and my spirits were high,

so even quick snaps turned out amazing.

As I continued walking along the path,

I discovered a shortcut that leads directly to the Gongju National Museum!

How convenient is that??

Visiting the Royal Tombs of King Muryeong and then heading straight to the Gongju Museum

is an absolutely perfect itinerary!!

Starting with the history at the Royal Tombs and then going to the museum

to see the actual artifacts sequentially is just pure perfection!!

The National Gongju Museum offers free admission, yet the quality is simply outstanding.

I'll share my review in the next post!!

See you then! ✨

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