When living in a location where rain is so prevalent, many people will cancel outdoor plans and intend on doing it the following week. This is a terrible mind set to fall victim of as it could be raining for weeks on end, while you forget your plans or simply lose interest. Even with the advancing Typhoon Samba, nothing could stop a last minute trip to the former capital of the Baekje Dynasty in Gongju.
The miniscule city of Gongju rests along the banks of the Guemgang River and is engulfed in misty mountains. Adjacent the river is the major tourist attractions starting with Gongsanseong Fortress. The fort is perched on a hill overlooking the city and surrounded by stone walled fortifications towering over the river. With impressive south, east and west gate entry points the fort offers an interesting and at times treacherously slippery walking trail through the rain.
Nearby the fortress rests the Tomb of King Muryeong and his Queen, which were first excavated and researched in 1971. King Muryeong, born in 461AD, was the 25th king of the Baekje dynasty and helped defend the dynasty and is accredited with significantly increasing trade with China. The inside of the tomb is off limits to visitors and the grassy hills on top resemble obstacles on a golf course, but their historic significance can overshadow the lack luster appearance.
The artifacts from within are now housed in the spacious Gongju National Museum. Such items on display include gold crowns and jewelry, stone and bronze Buddhist sculptures, weapons and other treasures fit to be buried with a king. Even the dreariest of days can be taken advantage of to see and learn new things. A little rain, when used as motivation, can go a long way.
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