TechNomad

It's a cold morning in Korea, but I need to continue my quest to learn more about the ancient 백� � Baekje Kingdom. My destination this morning is 부여군 Buyeo County, capital of 백� � Baekje from AD 538 until the Kindom's fall in AD 660.

Buyeo is a small town located near, but not directly on, a river. Immediately north of the county center along the river is 부소산성 Busosanseong (Busosan Fortress), an ancient fortress that housed the government of 백� � Baekje before its fall to neighboring � 라 Silla.

Immediately to the south of the county center is 궁남지 Gungnamji, a lake that was part of the palace grounds for the king and queen of 백� � Baekje. In the center of the lake is a pavillion with a bridge allowing easy access.

On a sign at the lake is an ancient love story about a prince of 백� � Baekje falling in love with a princess of neighboring � 라 Silla. The princess's family was upset that she would fall in love with a prince from their rival nation. But the woman was able to run away to 백� � Baekje and the original pavillion was built on the lake for the lovers.

After seeing all of the small 부여 Buyeo center, I took an intercity bus to 서대� � Seodaejeon (West Daejeon). Hoping to eventually find my way back to 마산 Masan (no coaches were available from the 서부버스터미널 Seobu Bus Terminal, 서 Seo meaning West), I then grabbed a city bus to 대� �역 Daejeon Railway Station. I wandered around the busy shopping district before catching a train home to 마산 Masan.