I think I just found my new favorite destination! In this three-part post, I'll be including photos from my day-trip to Buyeo where I visited Baekje Cultural Land, Buso Mountain Fortress, and Gungnamji Pond.
Quick facts:
The Three Kingdoms of Korea are Goguryo, Silla, and Baekje.
The Baekje Kingdom has three capitals: Wirye (18 BCE - 475 CE), Ungjin (476-538), and Sabi (538-660)
The site of Sabi is now the modern-day Buyeo County in Chungcheongnam-do. So there's plenty of ancient history to be found here.
Fortunately, the weather was great that Saturday. Not only do I thank my lucky stars but I thank the clouds for being awesome on that day too!
15 Reasons to Visit Baekje Cultural Land:
1. The entrance
Standing here, you won't get to see what's behind. A good thing as it doesn't ruin the element of surprise.
2. The area size. This place is HUGE.
3. Cheongjeongmun, the gate to the main hall of Sabigung (Sabi Palace)
4. Sugyeongjeong. The Chinese characters literally mean mirage hall, probably because of the pond in front.
Go inside and you'll get this beautiful vantage point.
5. Neungsa Temple from afar.
Immediately after you enter the main entrance, your eyes will be drawn to this imposing structure.
6. The pagoda up-close. Breath...taking...
7. The pagoda from afar. Also breathtaking.
Inside the pagoda
8. This monk, which we're not sure if he's real or not
9. Jehyangru on top of this hill gives a good view of the vicinity
10. The Life and Culture Village - this places gives you a glimpse of the different classes and lifestyles during the Sabi period.
11. Wiryeseong, the capital of Baekje during the Hansung period (18B CE - 475 CE)
12. If you're familiar with the historical drama Daepungsu (aka The Great Seer), there's a place where you can put your head through cardboard cutouts of the characters and sit on the throne for a photo opp.
13. The ancient tomb park which I didn't get pictures of because I spent so much time photographing the pagoda.
14. Baekje Historical Museum - for history buffs who want to know more about Baekje
15. Lotte Resort with cool-looking balcony.
Getting to Buyeo:
1) Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal to Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal (2 hr; 11,600 won)
2) Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal (2.5 hr; 15,300 won)
3) Take the K-shuttle.
4) If you can manage Korean, you'll find great deals (and probably the cheapest ones) at coupang.com, ticketmonster.co.kr or other similar social commerce sites.
Getting around:
There is a city tour bus available on Saturdays and Sundays from March to November 2013.
Buyeo City Tour http://www.buyeotour.net/05guide/guide09.asp#
Unfortunately, the website with the details is in Korean so if you need assistance, don't ask me, ask the Travel Hotline for tourists.
Check out Buyeo's travel site to find more places: http://www.buyeotour.net/eng/index/index.asp
If you have a bike, or can manage to rent one, a bike would be a good way to get around too. The places are not very far from one another, it's only like a 10-min car ride between locations.
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