Gungnamji Pond, Buyeo

Gungnamji is the pond King Mu of Baekje built south of his palace, and in Buyeo you can walk around it free at any time. The Korea Tourism Organization introduces it as Korea's oldest artificial landscape garden, and the commentary says an island was built in the middle as Bangjang, a mountain of immortals, to pray for eternal life. The pond is tied to the birth legend of Prince Seodong and the song of Princess Seonhwa. The Seodong Lotus Festival is held in July and a chrysanthemum exhibition in October and November. There are toilets and parking, and it is open all year.

The Samguk Sagi records that King Mu made a pond south of his palace and called it Gungnamji ("pond south of the palace"). Wells and foundation stones remain around it, and on this basis it is called Korea's oldest artificial garden; the island in the middle expresses Taoist ideas of immortals. The commentary says a beautiful detached palace once stood beside it. Influenced by Chinese belief in islands of immortals in the eastern sea, an island was built in the water as Mount Bangjang, evidence that Taoism was popular among Baekje's elite.

The commentary suggests it was not only for pleasure: set in a natural valley, it may also have served as an outer moat against enemies, reflecting the king's wish to protect his people. Both the Korea Tourism Organization and the commentary say Baekje garden techniques went to Japan and became a root of Japanese garden design; the tourist information says Nojagong of Baekje took garden skills to Japan, and the commentary says Japanese histories record the same.

The Samguk Yusa records that King Mu's mother conceived him with the dragon of the pond. In the commentary's telling, the area was full of yam fields and called Maraebangjuk; a young man visited his mother every night, and when she sewed a thread to his clothes to learn who he was, it led to a dragon in the pond. Their child was Seodong. The commentary reads it as the birth of an extraordinary king from a dragon-king and an ordinary woman, carrying the authority of a new king and hopes for Baekje's revival. A line of the Seodong song is also introduced: Princess Seonhwa, secretly married, goes at night to embrace Seodong.

It is described as beautiful in every season, and the tourist information suggests exploring by bicycle or on foot. Exact event dates change each year, so check locally. Busosanseong and Jeongnimsaji are close by for a day itinerary; see the Buyeo guide.

• Plan around the July lotus festival or the October to November chrysanthemum exhibition.
• Event dates change yearly; check with +82-41-830-2880.
• It is free and always open, so go whenever suits you.
• Plan your order if walking on to Busosanseong and Jeongnimsaji.

Fees, hours and programmes can change, so check the latest information before you visit.