Tomb of King Suro, Gimhae

The Tomb of King Suro in Seosang-dong, Gimhae, is the burial mound of the founder of Geumgwan Gaya and a Historic Site. The Korea Tourism Organization describes a round earthen mound about 5 m high, with Sungseonjeon, where the spirit tablets are enshrined, Anhyanggak, Jeonsacheong and a ritual vessel store, plus memorial steles. Admission and parking are free, and it is open every day of the year: April to September 8:00 to 20:00, March and October 8:00 to 19:00, November to February 9:00 to 18:00. Korean-language guiding needs advance booking; inquiries go to the management office on +82-55-332-1094.

King Suro took the throne as founder of Garakguk in AD 42, married Heo Hwang-ok, a princess of Ayuta in India, in AD 48, and is the founding ancestor of the Gimhae Kim clan. In 1580 (the 13th year of King Seonjo), the Yeongnam governor Heo Yeop is said to have restored the tomb to its present form. Within are Sungseonjeon, enshrining the tablets of the king and queen, Anhyanggak, storing incense for the spring and autumn rites, and the main gate, Napneung Jeongmun.

The commentary notes the main gate has three doors, with two fish facing each other painted above the doors beside the name board. Opinions differ on the origin of this twin-fish motif; the most debated claim is that Queen Heo brought it from India. It is an interpretation, not settled fact.

The Garakguk-gi in the 13th-century Samguk Yusa tells how the nine chiefs of Gimhae made a child born from a golden egg their king. In AD 42 a strange voice at Gujibong ordered people to sing and dance; as they sang "Turtle, turtle, show your head", golden eggs wrapped in red cloth came down. The commentary notes that founders hatching from eggs is common to ancient Korean founding myths, such as Jumong of Goguryeo and Bak Hyeokgeose of Silla. Gujibong, where the myth is set, is nearby.

In the Samguk Yusa's account, Queen Heo was a princess of Ayuta in India whose parents, following a sign from heaven, sent her to marry King Suro; she crossed the sea by ship and became his queen. Where Ayuta was in India is disputed, so read it as legend. The Pasa stone pagoda carries the tale that when storms forced her back, her father had the pagoda loaded onto the ship and the storm calmed; the commentary says it stood at a temple called Hogyesa in late Goryeo. Compare the founders of Silla and Gaya with the Gyeongju guide, and another Gaya centre in the Goryeong guide.

• Check the seasonal opening hours.
• Book ahead for Korean-language guiding.
• The twin-fish and Pasa pagoda stories are disputed interpretations.
• Plan the same day with Gujibong and the Ancient Tombs in Daeseong-dong, Gimhae.

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