Gongju is located 1.5 hours from seoul to the south ( 충남도Chungnam-do). Short history time, So long long time ago in Korea 3 kingdoms dynasty (Goguryeo-Silla-Baekje) when Baekje imperialized mostly South western part of korea like jeollanamdo and impacted also Tamna ( Jeju-do) and Wiryeseong ( Seoul). But on late 5th centuries it was attacted by Goguryeo, so the capital city moved to the south, Ungjin ( now known for GONGJU) and then much further to Sabi ( Buyeo) until the end of kingdom dynasty. So because of that Gongju city has some left Historical site from Baekje Dynasty.
And done for day story time HAHA so Gongju helds
" 백제문화제 BAEKJE CULTURAL FESTIVAL"
every year around in the end of september till early of october and for this year 63th festival held on
SEPTEMBER 28~ OCTOBER 5th
HOW TO GO TO GONGJU
By bus to 공주 GONGJU from 동서울 DONG-SEOUL bus terminal (line2) / 경부 GYEONGBU EXPRESS bus terminal (line3,5,9) for ₩9000 ( 2 hours drive)
actually there are many places to visit in Gongju but actually only 2 main famous places called
공산성 GONGSANSEONG and 금강신관공원 GEUMGANGSINGWAN PARK.
Actually both seperated by river so you have to walk through a bridge to reach other but during the festival, Goverment provided floating bridge on the river so you dont need to cross car bridge.
So here is! Some best way to enjoy Baekje Cultural Festival
#1
BUYING TICKET
₩5000/adult - ₩2000/child
With this ticket you can go inside back and forth twice from the park to fortress or the opposite.
#2
AUTUMN FLOWERS SPAM
inside the park at 미르섬 MIREU ISLAND (small island near the park), special for autumn period, famous with its giant sunflower field, pretty blue sky meets yellow giant sunflower just the best for your instagram feed HAHA. But not only sunflower you can also see cosmos flower and other autumn flowers.
#3
ACROSS THE FLOATING BRIDGE
Special made only during festival. You can go easily to fortress and park come and forth.
#4
CLIMBING OVER TOP OF 공산성 GONGSAN FORTRESS
you can see the whole river and festival area from here. And also at fortress, they has cultural event show and experience baekje culture activities, like archery and horse riding.
#5
CHILL AT "하루공방카페"
HARU GONGBANG- HANOK STYLE CAFE
Right across fortress you can see the cafe directly because it super eyecatchung with woody hanok style house. Here you can chill from the heat and enjoying coffee with fortress entrance view. And coffee price also super affordable ( around ₩2500~4500) with a beautiful view.
#6
CHESNUT STUFF
Gongju also famous as main producer of Chesnut all over the country, now also starbucks launched new autumn drink called Gongju chesnut latte (hope can try it soon!) So while you are in Gongju, you have to try famous chesnuty thing especially chesnut pastry. The bakery located next to the cafe, it sell all chesnuty bread pastry and their speciality is this small pastry with chesnut cream and real chesnut filling ₩2000/piece and many people buy this for souvernir from Gongju. It super flaky at the outside super super soft in the inside super like!!
#7
WAITING SUNSET
noon sunlight is the best with camera.... HAHA sincd i just took all my photos using my note5 it quite disappointing but for you sunset hunter you can take beautiful warm sunshine with pretty sunflower or just watch sunset from the top of fortress. During early autumn period, Sunset is around 6 to 6.30pm.
#8
NIGHT LIGHTING SHOW
As soon as sky is getting darker, colorful night light started. Colorful lanterns and cool autumn breeze. Even it is so dark but visitor gets even busier at night. Light starts around 7pm~10pm.
Overall, as i came on the opening day still so many activities is under preparation but i loved it since still not so crowd but for more festival hype better come on weekend because they will have parade and music performance. From this festival, i got more knowledge about Korean history especially about Baekje. See you on next trip
CIAO!!
