Iksan Wanggung-ri Site [UNESCO World Heritage]

About this place

The Wanggung-ri Site in Wanggung-myeon, Iksan, was created during the reign of Baekje's 30th king Mu (r. 600–641) and later transformed into a temple complex. It is understood as a secondary capital (budo) of Baekje's late period, alongside Sabi (Buyeo), serving as the political, economic, and cultural centre of Iksan. The Baekje royal palace was built on a low ridge at the end of a spur descending from Mt. Yonghua. Comprehensive excavations beginning in 1989 have confirmed it as a multi-layered historic site: a late Baekje royal palace was first built and used for a period, after which the major palace buildings were demolished and replaced by a temple with a pagoda, main hall, and lecture hall.