Some of the Best Megalithic Sites to see in South Korea South Korea

Submitted by Andy B on Tuesday, 18 December 2018 Page Views: 7033

Country: South Korea

**Gochang Dolmens** submitted by TomLee : There seems not to be many people who have interest in megalithic culture. Here is one type of Korean dolmens; the Baduk Type. The weight of capstone is around 25 tons. How people of prehistory could build dolmens like this. Do you believe it is easy or difficult? Maybe it is not to be hard considering its weight. Guess What? there are dolmens about 200~300 tons with its capstones. ... (Vote or comment on this photo)

Here’s a look at some of the best and most impressive megalithic sites to visit in South Korea. South Korea is best known for its huge dolmens but it also has standing stones, rock art and also many historic sites to visit.

These include ancinet temples, castles and fortresses. It also has beautiful waterfalls and parks. As a way to get around, and just for the experience you should also not miss a ride on the Korea train express, the ultra modern railway which opened in 2010. Trains on the Gyeongbu high-speed railway between Seoul and Busan run at up 300 kph and are a fantastic way to travel.

So time for some Korean megalithic sites - the most famous being the Dolmens in GoChang county. This group is known as the Jungnim-ri dolmens, and are the largest and most varied in Korea, centered in Maesan village. These are large dolmens with capstones balanced on four small stone posts, and there are also now many were the capstones lie on the ground. The capstones weigh up to 225 tons.

An amazing 442 dolmens have been documented and classified based on the size of the capstone. They are arranged from east to west at the foot of a series of hills, and are believed to have been constructed around the seventh century BCE.

Nearby, 14.1km to the south, is this beautiful standing stone. (pictured right)

Close to the crossroad on the way to the UNESCO world heritage site of Bulgu-sa temple, Gujeong-dong Banghyeongbun is a rectangular tumulus now in a roadside park (left). It contains the carved stone tablets of armed men with Chinese zodiac animal heads, much as in the mausoleum of the Silla Kings.

The Amsa-dong site near Seol is a Neolithic village which was swallowed up by a flood and re-discovered after another flood in 1925. It was once a popular park but much of it has now sadly closed. However you can still visit but you have to get a free ticket at the entrance office. There are reconstructed Neolithic houses and small museum.

The Bangudae Petroglyphs (below left)

are the most famous prehistoric engravings in Korea. There are many carvings here, include many whales, a herd of deer, tigers and mountain pigs as well as a figure of a human. It was previously thought to date to the Bronze age (about 1000 BCE), however there is a new theory that it was created in Neolithic, dating back to almost 5000-6000 BCE. Despite having whale carvings, it is now about 26km from sea, due to changing sea levels. On site is a Petroglyph Museum, which is where you park to explore the petroglyph valley. The museum is open from 9:00 to 18:00, but closed on Mondays, admission is free.

Some other recommended activities for your visit to South Korea:

Paragliding at Yangpyeong Park - over the mountains! Even if you don’t want to go airbourne, the park offers you a chance to see some beautiful landscapee, and the point where North and South Han Rivers meet. The view is different every season but never fails to disappoint.

Everland is the largest outdoor theme park in Korea, with four unique zones with rides like the Double-Rock spin and more. The roller coaster in the area moves at 104 km/hr and is one wild ride! You should allow the entire day to enjoy all the rides.

Another amazing experience is to travel across to Nami Island on a 900m zip line!. You will be whizzing along about 56 km/hr, bypassing the Han River ferry as you go. At the top is a cafe to calm your nerves afterwards.

For a real challenge, you can hike Mt. Bukhansan, the highest peak in Seoul. There are different routes to the top, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, temples and more.

See our site listings for South Korea for many hundreds more prehistoric sites to visit. With many thanks to Tom Lee, Hatsuki Nishio (Aska) for their help with this article

Contributor Bio for Andy B: Megalithic Portal Founding Editor.

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