Goryeong Jisan-dong Tumuli

Along the ridge of Jusan, the hill behind Daegaya-eup in Goryeong, rows of round burial mounds rise one after another. The Goryeong Jisan-dong Tumuli are the tombs of the kings and ruling class of Daegaya, one of the states of the Gaya confederacy. A line of tombs running along the ridge that wraps around the town like a folding screen is a sight you will not find elsewhere, and in 2023 the site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Gaya Tumuli.

Where the kings of Daegaya rest

The tombs were built mainly between the 4th and 6th centuries for Daegaya's ruling elite. Because this was the heart of the kingdom, its rulers were buried on the ridge above their capital. Large tombs sit on the upper ridge, medium-sized ones lower down and small ones around and below them. Figures for the number of tombs vary between sources, but including those investigated so far there are said to be more than 700.

The burial chambers vary too, with stone cists, stone-lined pits and stone chambers all found here. Many mounds contain several graves, which are understood as evidence of sacrificial burial rather than family tombs.

The first excavations took place in 1906, and the site was designated a national Historic Site in 1963. Finds such as gilt-bronze crowns, gold earrings, iron armour and helmets, swords, horse fittings and Daegaya's distinctive pottery show the kingdom's power and craftsmanship.

Traces of human sacrifice

What sets Jisan-dong apart is evidence of sunjang, the practice of burying people alongside the dead. Tombs 44 and 45 were the first royal tombs with such burials to be excavated in Korea, confirming that several people were interred with the tomb's owner. The largest, Tomb 47, has a mound 49 m across and is traditionally said to be the tomb of King Geumrim of Daegaya.

What to see

• Ridge trail: A path climbs between the mounds, which grow larger the higher you go. From the top you look out over the whole of Daegaya-eup.
• Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibition Hall: A reconstruction of the inside of a Daegaya royal tomb showing how the owner and the sacrificed attendants were buried.
• Daegaya Museum: At the foot of the tombs, displaying about 3,000 objects excavated in Goryeong, including gilt-bronze crowns, long-necked jars and ring-pommel swords decorated with phoenixes.
• Tomb 30: Close to the museum, so you can see a real tumulus up close.

Tripto tips

• Visitor info: The tombs are open at all times, every day, with free entry and free parking.
• Daegaya Museum: March–October 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00), November–February 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00), closed every Monday (the following day if Monday is a public holiday). Free admission.
• Time needed: Allow 2–3 hours for the museum, the tomb exhibition hall and the ridge walk.
• Best time: Spring and summer, when the mounds are green, and early morning or late afternoon light are best for photos. The ridge path is sloped, so wear comfortable shoes.
• Combine with: Jusanseong fortress, the Daegaya Life Village and the Ureuk Museum are all nearby, enough for a full Daegaya day.
• Contact: For the tombs, call Goryeong County's heritage department (+82 54-950-6323); for the museum, +82 54-950-7103.