Why this ride
138 km from Gongju to Gongju, about 2 h 37 of riding. On the way it passes Magoksa Temple, Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busos and back through Magoksa Temple. It was put together for the scenery rather than the shortest line.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri and Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busos
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 138 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 2 h 37
- 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. Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri
In 1971, workers digging drainage near a group of ancient burial mounds above the Geum river at Gongju broke into a brick tomb that had never been looted. Inside lay the remains and treasures of King Muryeong of Baekje, who died in 523, and his queen: gold crowns, ornaments, a stone tablet naming the king, and thousands of objects. It was one of the greatest archaeological finds in Korean history, and it is the centrepiece of the Royal Tombs at Songsan-ri, part of the Baekje Historic Areas World Heritage Site listed in 2015.
Read the complete Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri is where the day begins. Next is Magoksa Temple.
2. Magoksa Temple
Magoksa sits in a fold of Taehwasan mountain in South Chungcheong, a short drive from the old Baekje capital of Gongju, and it is the sort of temple that makes a good argument for getting out of the car. A stream runs beside the approach, maples and zelkova trees close overhead, and the main buildings sit within a double compound, one for monks and one for the Buddha. Its tradition goes back to the seventh century, though most of the present wooden halls are much younger, and its five-storey stone pagoda with a metal finial on top is unusual, since the top part shows Tibetan influence, possibly from the Yuan dynasty.
Read the complete Magoksa Temple write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Magoksa Temple comes up about 22 km into the recorded legs. Next is Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busos.
3. Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busos
Buyeo was once Sabi, the last capital of the kingdom of Baekje, which flourished on the south-west of the Korean peninsula until it fell to Silla and Tang China in 660. The kingdom's kings moved here in 538, built a walled city beside the Geumgang river and made it a centre of Buddhism, craftsmanship and trade, sending monks and artisans to Japan, where Baekje taught the court the arts of temple building. At the site in Gwanbuk-ri, archaeologists have found the foundations of a palace and workshops, and near it the fortress of Busosanseong runs along the ridge above the river.
Read the complete Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busos write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 69 km into the recorded legs you reach Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busos. Next is back through Magoksa Temple.
4. back through Magoksa Temple
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Magoksa Temple write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Magoksa Temple, late in the day. Next is Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri.
5. Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri to Magoksa Temple
Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri → Magoksa Temple is 22 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Magoksa Temple to Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busos
Magoksa Temple → Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busos is 47 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busos to back through Magoksa Temple
Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busos → back through Magoksa Temple is 47 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Magoksa Temple to Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri
back through Magoksa Temple → Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri is 22 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.