Mireuseom Island

Mireuseom is a long river island in the Geumgang River at Singwan-dong, Gongju, turned into flower beds and walking paths. In autumn it is covered in cosmos, pink muhly, kochia and pearl millet, and across the water you see Gongsanseong, the royal fortress of Baekje, and the Geumgang Iron Bridge of 1933. Entry and parking are free and it is open around the clock, which makes it a good place for an evening walk on a Gongju trip.

A flower island in the river

"Mireu" is an old native Korean word for dragon. Mireuseom lies right in front of Geumgang Singwan Park on the north bank, so the two are easy to visit together, and paved paths run along the island beside the water. Different flowers and grasses are planted through the year, but the best-known sight is the pink muhly path in autumn. Walk towards Gongjudaegyo Bridge and the view of flowers, river and hills keeps opening up.

The view across the water

• Gongsanseong: the royal fortress of Baekje during its Ungjin (Gongju) period, 475–538, sits on the hill just across the river to the south. It was inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Baekje Historic Areas in 2015, and its walls and flags reflected in the river are the classic Gongju view from Mireuseom.
• Geumgang Iron Bridge: begun in 1932 and completed in October 1933, the steel bridge is about 513 m long. It was built as one of the compensation projects when the provincial government moved from Gongju to Daejeon. About two-thirds of it was destroyed in the Korean War and it was repaired in 1952. Until Gongjudaegyo Bridge opened in 1986 it was the only bridge between old Gongju and Singwan-dong. It became a National Registered Cultural Heritage site in 2006, and today only light cars may cross, in one direction.
• Sunset and night lights: after dark the bridges are lit up and the riverside glows.

Stage of the Baekje Cultural Festival

Mireuseom and Geumgang Singwan Park are the main venues of the Baekje Cultural Festival held every autumn. The 70th festival in 2024 drew about 750,000 visitors, and the 71st in 2025 ran from 3 to 12 October across Geumgang Singwan Park, Mireuseom and the Jemincheon stream. During the festival the whole island is filled with light sculptures and lanterns, and in some years entry to the island has been ticketed or bundled with festival vouchers.

Tripto tips

• Best time: late September to October, when the pink muhly and cosmos are out. Come at dusk for the sunset and the lit bridge.
• Time needed: 40 minutes to an hour for a loop of the island. There is almost no shade, so bring a hat and water at midday.
• Fees and opening: normally open all year, with no entry fee or parking charge. Arrangements can change during the Baekje Cultural Festival, so check the festival information.
• Getting there: the island is in Singwan-dong, within walking distance of Gongju Bus Terminal. KTX Gongju Station is a long way out of town, so you will need to change to a bus.
• Combine it with: walk across the Geumgang Iron Bridge or Gongjudaegyo Bridge to Gongsanseong; the Royal Tombs of King Muryeong are also close.