Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Gyeongju

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The 23 Silla tombs scattered throughout the city of Gyeongju are mainly located around Daereungwon. Although they are close to each other, the tombs are spread over such a large area that it is recommended to visit Hwangnamdaechong, Cheonmachong, and the Tomb of King Michu in Gyeongju first. Hwangnamdaechong, the largest of the Silla tombs, is presumed to be the tomb of a Silla royal family. The tomb consists of two mounds connected in a gourd shape, one to the north and the other to the south. Numerous artifacts have been discovered here, with notable examples including the gold necklace from the southern mound and the gold belt from the northern mound. Cheonmachong, which caused a sensation when over 10,000 artifacts were unearthed during its excavation, is the only tomb among the Silla tombs where the interior can be viewed. Among the artifacts, there is a saddle flap (jangni) depicting a flying horse, which gave the tomb its nickname, "Cheonmachong" (Tomb of the Heavenly Horse). The painting of the heavenly horse on the jangni from Cheonmachong is of immense value as it is the only surviving example of Silla painting. Gyeongju's Tomb of King Michu is the burial site of Michu, the 13th king of Silla. He was the first Silla king from the Kim clan and is known to be the seventh-generation descendant of Kim Alji, the founder of the Kim clan. According to the Samguk Sagi (Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms), King Michu was buried in "Daereung," and the name "Daereungwon" (Great Tomb Complex) is derived from this very term. The Gold Necklace from the Southern Mound of Hwangnamdaechong: This gold necklace was discovered in the southern tomb of Hwangnamdaechong, still hanging around the neck of a person inside the coffin. Unlike most necklaces found in Silla tombs in the Gyeongju area, which typically feature a curved jade ornament at the ends, this unique necklace is made entirely of gold, with even the ends adorned with gold in the shape of the curved jade. The Gold Belt from the Northern Mound of Hwangnamdaechong: This gold belt (Gwadae) and its pendants (Yopae) were discovered in the northern tomb of Hwangnamdaechong. The belt, made of 28 plates, is believed to have been sewn onto a material like leather, as indicated by the small holes around the plates. The belt was found in perfect condition, providing valuable insights into the wearing method and the arrangement of the pendants during the Silla period. The Cheonmado (Heavenly Horse Painting) on the Saddle Flap from Cheonmachong in Gyeongju: Discovered in the tomb of Cheonmachong in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, the Cheonmado is a painting of a horse (referred to as the "Heavenly Horse") depicted on the saddle flap (jangni), which hung on both sides of the horse's saddle. The style of the horse in the Cheonmado, along with the vine patterns along the border, resembles the designs found in Goguryeo's Muyongchong (Dancing Tomb) and other tomb murals. This indicates that Silla painting was influenced by Goguryeo's artistic traditions. Daereungwon, along with Cheomseongdae and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, is one of Gyeongju's iconic national heritage sites that offers nighttime viewing. The site is famous for the "Daereungwon Photo Zone," where a magnolia tree stands. Visiting this photo zone around sunrise or sunset, which is the best time for photography, you'll often encounter numerous photographers aiming to capture the night view of this location.