Why this ride
A 107 km round trip from Changnyeong - roughly 1 h 51 in the saddle. The stops in between: Okjeon Tumuli, Jisan-dong Tumuli and back through Okjeon Tumuli. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli and Jisan-dong Tumuli
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 107 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 1 h 51
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli
The rounded grassy mounds rising behind Changnyeong look almost like natural hills until you notice how regular they are. These are the Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong tumuli, burial mounds of the rulers of Bihwa, one of the small kingdoms of the Gaya confederacy that flourished in the south of the Korean peninsula between roughly the first and sixth centuries before being absorbed by Silla. In 2023 they became part of a UNESCO listing that brings together seven Gaya tomb clusters, and they are among the most atmospheric of the group.
Read the complete Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli is where the day begins. Next is Okjeon Tumuli.
2. Okjeon Tumuli
On a ridge above the Hwang river in Hapcheon County, a row of grassy mounds rises against the sky, each one the burial of a ruler or noble of Dara, one of the small kingdoms of the Gaya confederacy that flourished in the south of the Korean peninsula between the first and sixth centuries. Gaya was famous for its iron, traded across the region and to Japan, and its tombs held armour, weapons, horse gear, pottery and gold ornaments. The Okjeon tumuli are one of seven groups listed together by UNESCO in 2023 as the Gaya Tumuli.
Read the complete Okjeon Tumuli write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Okjeon Tumuli comes up about 34 km into the recorded legs. Next is Jisan-dong Tumuli.
3. Jisan-dong Tumuli
Above the small county town of Goryeong, in south-eastern Korea, a line of grassy burial mounds runs along the ridge of Jusan mountain like the knuckles of a giant hand. These are the Jisan-dong tumuli, tombs of the rulers and elite of Daegaya, the most powerful member of the Gaya confederacy, a group of small kingdoms that flourished in the south of the peninsula until they were absorbed by Silla in the sixth century. The largest mounds are huge, and excavations found not only rich grave goods, iron weapons, armour, gold crowns and pottery, but also evidence that attendants were buried with their lords. Together with other Gaya tomb groups, the site was added to the World Heritage list in 2023.
Read the complete Jisan-dong Tumuli write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 53 km into the recorded legs you reach Jisan-dong Tumuli. Next is back through Okjeon Tumuli.
4. back through Okjeon Tumuli
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Okjeon Tumuli write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Okjeon Tumuli, late in the day. Next is Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli.
5. Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli to Okjeon Tumuli
Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli → Okjeon Tumuli is 34 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Okjeon Tumuli to Jisan-dong Tumuli
Okjeon Tumuli → Jisan-dong Tumuli is 19 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Jisan-dong Tumuli to back through Okjeon Tumuli
Jisan-dong Tumuli → back through Okjeon Tumuli is 20 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Okjeon Tumuli to Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli
back through Okjeon Tumuli → Gyo-dong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli is 34 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.