Korean Travel Online - Buyeo Trip Part 3: Gungnamji Pond

Part 1: Baekje Cultural Land
Part 2: Buso Mountain Fortress

This is the last batch of photos from the trip to Buyeo-gun.

Gungnamji is an artificial pond located inside Seodong Park. More info about the pond and the park can be found here.

There are many water lilies at the park

There are many photographers too

But this one is probably the most dedicated photographer that day

Prickly water lily

The fountain looks like it shot out that cloud

Unfortunately for us, there are only a few lotus flowers left.

If you come in July during the lotus festival season, this place would look absolutely amazing. More info about that festival here.

And... he's still there

Victoria

The gorgeous Victoria, a genus of water lilies. Here's the link to the wikipedia page with information on the Victoria.

Korean Travel Online - Buyeo Trip Part 2: Buso Mountain Fortress (Busosanseong)

Part 1: Baekje Cultural Land

Part 3: Gungnamji Pond

After Baekje Cultural Land, we headed to Buso Mountain Fortress (Busosanseong). As it was lunchtime, we went to get lunch first at a restaurant just across the street from the entrance of Busosanseong.

More info and how to get to Busosanseong on this page.

The restaurant is called 백제의집, or Baekje House. We were really excited about the 연잎밥, or lotus leaf rice. We thought of ordering that, but thought we might end up wanting more if we order just that. So we went for the 연잎우렁쌈밥/ YeonipUreongSsambap. This ssambap (rice wraps) dish comes with the ureong (freshwater snail in doenjang), the lotus leaf rice, and plenty of leafy greens to wrap some rice and ureong in it. This meal is so good that I'd be happy to call it a day and head back to Seoul even it means I don't get to see Buyeo's other sites anymore.

Apparently, the restaurant also has a sense of humor.

Here we are at entrance to Busosanseong

Before you start the walking path, you can stop by Samchungsa first.

Here is where we realized we probably shouldn't have eaten too much.

Yeongilru Pavilion (영일루), as the Chinese characters suggests, this was a popular place for greeting the rising sun back in the day.

 Continue down the path to get to Baekhwajeong Pavilion

From the pavilion, you can see the river below. You can also take a cruise on that Baekje-style boat.

Lastly, make your way down many, many steps to see Goransa Temple.

Korean Travel Online - Buyeo Trip Part 1: Baekje Cultural Land

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.

Part 2: Buso Mountain Fortress

Part 3: 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.