The central area of Korea encompasses the North and South ChungCheong-do Provinces. It is an area of broad plains interspersed with rugged mountains CENTRAL AREA >> Gongju Gongju was the capital of the ancient Baekje Kingdom for 60 years before it was moved south to Buyeo in the 6th century. Gongju is now a small town, but there are still many of Baekje's treasures in evidence. Getting to Gongju Seoul - Gongju : 2 hrs. 20 min. by express bus Daejeon - Gongju : 1 hr. 40 min. by intercity bus Gongju National Museum was built to house the treasures of King Muryeong's Tomb. The displays of gold crowns and bronze mirrors show the distinctive features of Baekje art. :: Location : Northwest of Mt. Gyeryongsan National Park :: Transportation : 5 min. by local bus from Gongju Intercity Bus Terminal Although most Baekje tombs were robbed over the centuries, King Muryeong's Tomb was left undisturbed until its excavation in 1971, which unearthed thousands of articles including gold crowns and bronze mirrors. A model shows visitors what the real tomb looked like when it was excavated. :: Location : Northern Gongju :: Transportation :10 min. by bus from the Gongju Intercity Bus Terminal CENTRAL AREA >> Buyeo Situated 20 miles south of Gongju, Buyeo was the last capital of the Baekje Kingdom and is a place rich in legends. There are many remains dating back to the kingdom's final struggle against the forces of the Silla Kingdom and its ally Dang China in 660 A.D. A steep hill in the city's center is the site of the Busosanseong Fortress where the Baekje forces made their last stand. Getting to Buyeo Seoul - Buyeo : 2 hrs. 40 min. by express bus Daejeon - Buyeo : 1 hr. 40 min. by express bus Gongju - Buyeo : 45 min. by intercity bus Mt. Busosan sits along the Baegmagang River, just north of Buyeo. It was the main fortress of the Baekje Kingdom when its capital was in Buyeo. The bird's-eye-view of the Baegmagang River from the top of Mt. Busosan creates a splendid scene. :: Location : Northern Buyeo Nakhwaam Rock, which is on top of the north cliff at Mt Buso, is the site of a tragic historical event where some 3,000 women of the Baekje court leapt to their deaths. This was done to avoid getting dishonored at the hands of their enemies, the allied forces of Silla and China¡¯s Tang, during the fall of Baekje in 660 A.D.. The image of the women plummeting down in their colorful dresses gave the place its name, "The Rock of Falling Flowers." :: Location : The north cliff of Mt. Busosan