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Uncover the ancient wonders of Gongju, Korea! Visit Muryeongwangneung Royal Tombs and Ungjin Baekje History Museum. Get insider tips on parking and making the most of your 2026 historical journey.
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
Admission Fee | Adults ~$2 / Youth, Military ~$1 / Children ~$1 |
Operating Hours | Summer Season (March-October) - 09:00-18:00 (Last entry 17:30) Winter Season (November-February) - 09:00-17:00 (Last entry 16:30) |
Cultural Interpretation Times (approx. 20 min) | 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 |
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! ✨
▼ You might also enjoy these posts on Gongju travel, restaurants, and cafes ▼
📍 Ungjin Baekje History Museum
37 Wangneung-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
📍 Royal Tombs of King Muryeong and Royal Tomb Park, Gongju
37 Wangneung-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
The Tomb of King Muryeong has a spacious dedicated parking lot. If it's full, you can use temporary parking areas nearby, such as Ungjin Library, Gongju Arts Center, or Culture & Play Square. All parking is free of charge.
Both parking and admission to the Ungjin Baekje History Museum are free. This indoor exhibition hall allows visitors to explore the history of the Baekje Ungjin period in advance, offering a comfortable viewing experience regardless of the weather.
You can receive a 50% discount on the admission fee by showing the 'Onnuri Gongju Citizen Card' on your mobile phone, which is operated by Gongju City. This method allows adults to enter for ~$1 per person.
The actual Tomb of King Muryeong has been permanently closed to the public since 1997 for cultural heritage preservation. Instead, you can view a life-sized replica of the tomb in the exhibition hall.
Walking along the outdoor promenade of the Royal Tombs Park will lead you to a shortcut directly to the National Gongju Museum. This route allows you to preview history at the Royal Tombs Park and then see actual artifacts at the museum. Admission to the National Gongju Museum is free.
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