Goryeong Daegaya Historic Site (고령 대가야유적지) - Area information - Korea travel information

Goryeong Daegaya Historic Site (고령 대가야유적지)

Goryeong Daegaya Historic Site (고령 대가야유적지)

10.5Km    2020-06-18

1203, Daegaya-ro, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-7103

The town of Goryeong is four hours outside of Seoul, and features many relic sites of Daegaya around the whole district of Goryeong-gun. Around the first century, Daegaya was formed in the Nakdonggang River’s downstream area in the lower Korean peninsula, flourished independently for 520 years (AD 42~562), and declined after the 6th century. After its decline, part of it was annexed by Silla (57 BC ~ AD 935), and the rest annexed by Baekjae (18 BC~AD 60), and became a forgotten tribal kingdom.
On King Jinheung’s (reign 540~576) 23rd year of reign it became the district of Daegaya, and the name was changed to the district of Goryeong on King Gyeongdeok’s (reign 742~765) 16th year of reign.
This is the place where you can view the country’s first Sunjangmyo (tomb where many dead people were buried together), called Jisandong Gobungun, Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, and Treasure No. 605, the pre-eminent relics site of the Prehistoric Period called Yangjeondong Amgakhwa, and other various cultural assets.
There is a large, ancient tomb with a diameter of 20m, built on the ridgeline of the mountain, and as you go down the mountain, there are 159 other tombs of smaller scale. The largest tomb in the south side is called the Geumrim Royal Tomb, and the other large tombs near it are presumed to be tombs of royalty or aristocrats.
At the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, site of the restored No. 44 tomb, you can see the ancient custom of burying the living with the dead (Royalty buried with their retainers). The dome-style exhibit hall displays Sunjangseokgwak, ironware, pottery and other various excavated relics.

Daegaya Museum (대가야 박물관)

Daegaya Museum (대가야 박물관)

10.5Km    2022-09-13

1203, Daegaya-ro, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-7103

Daegaya Museum exhibits the history, culture, and customs of the Daegaya Kingdom. The museum consists of the Daegaya Royal Tomb Pavilion, the Daegaya History Pavilion, and Ureuk Museum.

The Royal Tomb Pavilion is a 37 meter-wide dome that houses relics of the Jisan-dong Ancient Tombs, a Historic Site. It is essentially the restoration of the Jisandong Tumulus, the first large-scale sunjang (burial of the living with the dead).

The History Pavilion houses a collection of relics from the Daegaya Kingdom, while holding special exhibitions and educational activities periodically. The outdoor exhibition center displays items that showcase the ancient lifestyle.

Ureuk Museum is a dedicated to Ureuk, a Daegaya musician who invented the gayageum, a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument.

Ureuk Museum (우륵박물관)

Ureuk Museum (우륵박물관)

10.7Km    2021-01-07

98, Gayageum-gil, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-7136

Ureuk Museum is a museum dedicated to gayageum, a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument, and Ureuk, the inventor of the gayageum and a great musician. The only museum of its kind, Ureuk Museum excavates, collects, preserves, and displays pieces that help visitors more deeply appreciate the beauty and history of the gayageum.

Jisandong Ancient Tombs (고령 지산동 고분군)

10.8Km    2020-02-10

San 23-1, Jisan-ri, Goryeong-eup, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-6363

Goryeong was the old capital of Daegaya (42-562 AD), a city-state of the Gaya confederacy that once spanned the region now occupied by Gyeongsangnam-do Province to the south of the Korean peninsula. The city of Goryeong played such a central role in the development of the confederacy that many artifacts and historic sites of the Daegaya period can still be found there today.

Some of the most prominent landmarks are the 200 gobuns (ancient tombs) that lie along the southeastern slope of Jusan Mountain in Goryeong. In ancient times, the higher and larger a tomb, the higher the social status of the person buried inside. Given this tradition and historical evidence, the largest tomb in the south has been identified as Geumnim Wangneung (Royal Tomb of King Geumnim); the other large tombs are also presumed to be those of the kings of Daegaya. The large royal tombs (over 20m in diameter) dominate the mountain ridge (the highest point) while mid-sized and smaller tombs can be found on the mountain slopes and foothills.

Historical research on Daegaya began with the excavation and partial identification of the ancient tombs of Goryeong by research teams from Kyungpook National University and Keimyung University in 1977. Excavators discovered a great number of relics—gilt-bronze crowns, swords, armor, and trinkets of gold, silver, and jade—that shed light on the flourishing culture of Gaya.

To continue to encourage interest in the history and culture of Daegaya, officials of Goryeong-gun County established the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall at the foot of Jusan Mountain in Gobun-gun, Jisan-dong. The exhibition hall depicts the social structure of the era through ancient customs such as burying servants alive with their dead masters.

Biseulsan Recreational Forest (비슬산자연휴양림)

12.6Km    2024-02-07

99 Iryeonseonsa-gil, Yuga-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu
+82-53-659-4400

Biseulsan Recreational Forest is located near Daegyeonbong Peak, between Johwabong and Gwanggibong Peaks, and is beautiful all year round. The largest charm of this forest is the ability to enjoy the beautiful scenery in comfort thanks to the amenities. The valley features many uniquely shaped rocks. Every year in late spring, the field near the summit of Biseulsan Mountain blooms with wildflowers. The forest is a popular location for youth retreats during school vacations. Additional facilities include cabins, a campground, pond, and more.

Ungidaek House (인심좋은웅기댁)

Ungidaek House (인심좋은웅기댁)

13.2Km    2024-08-01

32 , Gaesil 1-gil, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-956-4022, +82-10-3207-4022

Generous Unggi House is a clay-walled hanok guest house in Gaesil Village, Gyeongsangbuk-do - hometown of the descendants of Joseon scholar Kim Jong-jik. Guest rooms have toilets and cooking facilities. Behind the house rises Hwagae Mountain, Jeomubong Peak and a 350-year-old bamboo forest. Visitors can experience traditional farming (planting rice and digging sweet potatoes) and traditional craft skills such as kite making and straw weaving; as well as making taffy and sweet rice cake, catching mudfish and ice sledding.

The House of Soccer kkumnamu (Future Soccer Player) (축구꿈나무집)

The House of Soccer kkumnamu (Future Soccer Player) (축구꿈나무집)

13.2Km    2024-08-05

35 , Gaesil 1-gil, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-956-4022, +82-10-3207-4022

Dreams of Football Timberhouse is a hanok guest house in Gaesil Village, Gyeongsangbuk-do - hometown of the descendants of Joseon scholar Kim Jong-jik. The guesthouse has 2/3 rooms and a lawn; and one of the rooms has barbecue facilities outside. In the village, visitors can experience traditional farming (planting rice and digging sweet potatoes) and traditional craft skills such as kite making and straw weaving; as well as making taffy and sweet rice cake, catching mudfish and ice sledding.

Lang Studio (랑 스튜디오)

Lang Studio (랑 스튜디오)

13.3Km    2024-08-01

37 , Gaesil 1-gil, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-956-4022, +82-10-3207-4022

Rang Studio is a white-painted hanok guesthouse in Gaesil Village, Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do - hometown of the descendants of Joseon scholar Kim Jong-jik. The guestroom is equipped with a bathroom plus a kitchen with cooking utensils provided. Therfe is an outdoor barbecue, but visitors should bring their own charcoal. In the village, visitors can experience the atmosphere of the old countryside, sampling traditional farming and craft skills plus traditional pastimes and food. 

Yeonpung Gotaek (연풍고택(문충고가))

Yeonpung Gotaek (연풍고택(문충고가))

13.3Km    2024-08-01

44 , Gaesil 1-gil, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-956-4022, +82-10-3207-4022

Yeonpung Old House is a 150-year-old house in Gaesil Village, Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do - hometown of the descendants of Joseon scholar Kim Jong-jik. Behind the house stands a bamboo forest, making the air fresh and clean. There are four guestrooms, two of which - Juksil and Maesil (‘Bamboo’ and ‘Plum’) - are larger and suitable for groups. The kitchen is in a separate building, and has a large yard with barbecue facilities, which is also used for village feasts. In the village, visitors can experience the atmosphere of the old countryside, sampling traditional farming and craft skills plus traditional pastimes and food. 

Seokjeongdaek House (석정댁)

Seokjeongdaek House (석정댁)

13.3Km    2024-08-01

6 , Gaesil 2-gil, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-956-4022, +82-10-3207-4022

Seokjeongdaek is a hanok guest house in Gaesil Village, Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do - hometown of the descendants of Joseon scholar Kim Jong-jik. It consists of two guestrooms plus one living room and kitchen, making it ideal for families and groups. The rooms have air conditioning and cooking facilities, and outdoor barbecues are also available. In the village, visitors can experience the atmosphere of the old countryside, sampling traditional farming and craft skills plus traditional pastimes and food.