A 3.27-million-square-meter history and culture theme park completed after a 17-year epic journey; royal palaces, temples, villages, and museums all in one place.

(C) Ko Yong-Chul

Passing through the main gate, Jeongyangmun, a central plaza opens up, behind which the royal palace of Baekje, Sabigung, reveals itself. Located in Gyuam-myeon, Buyeo-gun, South Chungcheong Province, the Baekje Cultural Complex is South Korea’s largest history and culture theme park, recreating the face of Baekje—once called the cultural powerhouse of East Asia 1,400 years ago—close to its actual scale. With royal palaces, temples, ancient tombs, villages, and museums connected in a single space, every step you take shifts the era. In summer, family tourists flock continuously, and even on spring weekends, visitors eager to learn history with their children crowd the grounds.

17 Years of Construction and 690.4 Billion Won Invested

The Baekje Cultural Complex began in 1994 with the aim of promoting the excellence of Baekje's brilliant history and culture to the world, and was completed ahead of the Great Baekje Festival in 2010. Construction alone took 17 years. The site spans 3,276,000 square meters, with a total project cost of 690.4 billion won (170.9 billion won from the national government, 207.8 billion won from local governments, and 311.7 billion won from private capital). Important Intangible Cultural Heritage holders in five fields—such as daemokjang (grand master carpenter), dancheongjang (master artisan of traditional decorative coloring), beonwajang (roofer), gakjajang (engraver), and chiljang (lacquer artisan)—participated in the project. The complex also houses the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage and the Lotte Buyeo Resort, allowing visitors to enjoy historical experiences, education, sights, and entertainment all in one place.

(C) Ko Yong-Chul

Sabigung: The Center Where National Rituals Were Held

Sabigung, located behind the central plaza, is named after Sabi, the final capital of Baekje—a name chosen for easy public understanding. Centered around the main throne hall, Cheonjeongjeon, it features the West Palace and East Palace. Cheonjeongjeon is the most important building within the royal palace, where state rituals such as the king's coronation and New Year's ceremonies were held, and foreign envoys were received. The restrained beauty characteristic of Baekje architectural style is most clearly revealed here. At Mudukjeon Hall in the West Palace, you can encounter Baekje-era attire. Visitors can try on various outfits for free, ranging from the king's dragon robes to a general's armor. Taking photos in Baekje costumes against the backdrop of the palace and gardens is a favorite memory-making course for visitors.

(C) Ko Yong-Chul

Nesa Temple, the Five-Story Wooden Pagoda, and the Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner

To the right of Sabigung stands Nesa Temple. Built in the 14th year of King Widuk of Baekje to pray for the repose of King Seong’s soul, it was restored based on architectural foundations excavated from the Neungsan-ri temple site in Buyeo-eup (Historic Site No. 434). "Nesa" is not the name of a specific temple, but a common noun referring to "a temple built next to a royal tomb." The straight-line distance from the Neungsan-ri temple site to the Baekje Royal Tombs is less than 200 meters. The most eye-catching feature of Nesa is the 38-meter-high five-story wooden pagoda. It is the first Baekje-era wooden pagoda reconstructed in South Korea and demonstrates the pinnacle of Baekje architectural technology, along with a temple layout featuring a central gate, pagoda, main worship hall (geumdang), and lecture hall. Excavated from the building site west of this temple are the Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner of Baekje (National Treasure No. 287) and the Stone Reliquary of King Chang (National Treasure No. 288). The gilt-bronze incense burner, used for burning incense, is recognized for its value to the extent that the National Museum of Korea selected it as one of "100 Treasures of Our Heritage." Behind Nesa is the Ancient Tomb Park. Seven stone-chamber tombs in total—four from the terraced landscape creation site of the Baekje Cultural Complex and three from Gajeung-ri, Eunsan-myeon, Buyeo-gun—were relocated and restored here. Through the aristocrats' tomb structures, visitors can gauge the funeral culture and social hierarchy of that era.

(C) Ko Yong-Chul

From Gyebaek’s House to the Potter’s House: The Living Culture Village

Located behind the western side of Sabigung, the Living Culture Village is a space to glimpse the lives of Baekje people 1,400 years ago. It reconstructs the houses of aristocrats and commoners, showing residential types and living customs by social class. "Gyebaek’s House," a military officer's residence, recreates the home of General Gyebaek, a prominent military figure of the late Baekje period. When the Silla-Tang allied forces invaded, Gyebaek killed his wife and children and met an army of 50,000 at Hwangsanbeol, fighting five times. He won four battles and fell in the final one. His loyalty and spirit are embodied in Sunguidang and Seoninjae. Among the aristocratic houses, the residence of Sataek Jijuk, who held the highest official rank (daejwapyeong) at the time, stands out with names like Honguidang, Hoiujae, and Bulijeong. The commoners' houses look similar on the outside, but each operates experience programs based on different themes: the house of Seo-so, a weaving technician; the house of Shin Han-gogi, a potter; the house of In-beon, a casting technician; the house of Dori, a Buddhist statue sculptor; and the house of Lady Domi, who preserves the tale of Domi. Strolling through the thatched-roof houses and living spaces offers the delightful fun of imagining the daily lives of the Baekje people.

(C) Ko Yong-Chul

Wiryesong Fortress and the Baekje History and Culture Museum

Wiryesong is a recreation of Baekje during the Hanseong period (18 BCE–475 CE). Watchtowers, royal palaces, and commoners' houses cluster together within a low earthen wall. It offers a glimpse into the capital’s structure and nation-building process in the early days of the kingdom. The Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) records that a new palace was built here, describing it as "modest but not shabby, and magnificent but not extravagant." The Baekje History and Culture Museum is South Korea's only museum specializing in Baekje history. It exhibits representative Baekje artifacts such as the Seven-Branched Sword (Chiljido) and ring-pummeled swords (hwandu-daedo), reconstructed using traditional iron-making technology. Visitors can also see dioramas depicting the daily lives of Baekje people and a replica of a Baekje footprint discovered in Gungnamji Pond in 1995. The recommended touring route is to explore the museum first before walking through the complex. Understanding the background makes the palaces, temples, and villages come alive in three dimensions.

Experiences, Relaxation, and the View from the Observatory

A variety of experience programs are available. Traditional games like kite flying and archery serve as channels for children to experience history with their bodies. Because the site is vast and walking takes time, electric carts and Sabi-ro trains operating inside the complex make visits easy for young children and the elderly. Summer visitors are advised to bring portable electric fans, parasols, and plenty of water. Walking paths, ponds, and gardens lined with tree shade are great places to rest. The reflection of traditional architecture in the calm water creates another picturesque landscape. Climbing the observatory reveals the palace, buildings, ponds, and forests unfolding like a painting. Recognized as the best spot to feel the scale and beauty of the complex, it is also a popular photo spot.

(C) Ko Yong-Chul

A Cultural Hub Evolving into a Stay-Over Tourism Destination

The Baekje Cultural Complex has established itself as a core base for regional cultural tourism. It has raised its profile by serving as a filming location for TV dramas and is evolving into a stay-over tourism destination where visitors can stay and enjoy nighttime contents and performances, such as "Baekje’s Night." It also contributes to revitalizing the local economy by increasing tourist influx through the Baekje Cultural Festival. This place is also an educational site connecting textbook knowledge to reality. For children, it is a living history lesson, and for adults, it is a time to reflect on the culture and beauty of Baekje.

Operating hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and during the winter season from November to February, until 5:00 PM. It is closed every Monday. For reservations and inquiries, call 041-408-7290.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]