Tomb of Queen Consort of King Suro

On a pine-covered hill in Gusan-dong, Gimhae, a single round burial mound sits quietly. This is said to be the tomb of Heo Hwang-ok, queen of King Suro, founder of the Geumgwan Gaya kingdom. The Samguk yusa records that she was a princess of the land of Ayuta, in India, who crossed the sea to become his queen. That story, linking ancient Korea with lands far over the ocean, keeps visitors coming to what is otherwise a modest tomb.

History and legend

According to the Garakguk-gi chapter of the Samguk yusa, the queen's surname was Heo and her given name Hwang-ok. She arrived by ship at the age of 16 and married King Suro. She bore several sons and had two of them take her own surname, and their descendants still carry the Heo name today.

The tomb was designated a Historic Site in 1963. Its protected area was enlarged together with King Suro's tomb in 1446, under King Sejong, and records say it was looted during the Japanese invasions of the 1590s. The present stele and offering stone date from a restoration in 1647. Simpler than the king's tomb and never excavated, it is thought to be either a pit tomb or a stone-lined chamber tomb.

What to see

• The mound: a round earthen mound about 5 m high, with a terrace of long stones at the front and a low square stone wall around it. Unlike most royal tombs, which sit on level ground, it stands on a hill.
• The stele: the stone in front of the mound is inscribed in two lines, naming the queen of King Suro of Garak, Empress Dowager Heo of Boju.
• Pasa Stone Pagoda: a reddish stone pagoda in front of the tomb. Tradition says the queen carried it on her voyage to calm the waves.
• Red gate and Sungbojae: through the main gate, Gunammun, and the red hongsalmun gate a path leads to the tomb, with Sungbojae, where rituals are prepared, on the right.

Good to know

• Rites are held here each spring and autumn together with King Suro's tomb.
• Every year on the 15th day of the 9th lunar month, a tea ceremony is offered to the queen.
• Neighbouring Gujibong peak is the setting of the founding myth in which King Suro hatched from a golden egg sent down from heaven.

Nearby

• Gujibong: a low peak linked to the tomb by a footpath, where the Gaya founding myth is set.
• Tomb of King Suro: within walking distance towards the town centre; seeing both completes the Gaya story.
• Gimhae National Museum: at the foot of Gujibong, with Gaya ironwork and pottery.
• Gusan-dong tombs: stone-chamber tombs near the queen's tomb.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: March and October 08:00–19:00, April to September 08:00–20:00, November to February 09:00–18:00. Open every day; admission free.
• Getting there: walk from Suro Royal Tomb or Museum stations on the Busan–Gimhae Light Rail. There is also a car park.
• Time needed: 30 minutes for the tomb alone; with Gujibong, the museum and King Suro's tomb, allow half a day.
• Best time: the pines give shade even in summer, and the paths around the hill are lovely in spring.