In Baekje, an ancient kingdom of Korea that flourished for 678 years from 18 BC to 660 AD, interaction with East Asian countries enabled the development of its own unique culture, differing from those of the other two neighboring kingdoms of Goguryeo and Silla.
Baekje had been founded on a small area on the banks of the Hangang River, which is the present-day Seoul (Hanseong), in 18 BC, with population migrating from Goguryeo, and over the years the city was enlarged toward the southwestern part of the country.
It became famous culturally and economically.
Eventually wars broke out among the three kingdoms, and in the battle Goguryeo won and occupied Baekje, the capital of the Baekje Kingdom.
Baekje then relocated from Hanseong to Ungjin, where the Gongsanseong Fortress was erected in 475 AD, and established it as its capital.
This relocation facilitated the fledgling state of Baekje to imbibe from Chinese culture and architecture related to city planning, and it also subscribed to Buddhism.
Baekje also transmitted its cultural and religious values to Japan, and Ungjin (built in the center of the Geumgang River in the form of a diamond, 130 kilometres (81 mi) to the east of Seoul,) became a powerful influence in East Asia.

However, there was a further movement of the capital to Sabi, and a powerful kingdom came to be established in Buyeo in 538 AD.
This relocation was necessary for reasons of trade and commerce, as the main capital did not have this advantage.
Here the city was developed with a royal palace, forts, royal burial grounds, and a security cordon of a city wall.
During the regime of the Sabi period ((538–660 AD), King Seong shifted the capital to Buyeo in 538.
Iksan was established as a second capital for administrative purposes.
In 660 AD, Baekje suffered defeat at the hands of the Silla, who had aligned with the Tang Dynasty of China.

Buddhism found its way to Baekje from China for the first time in the late 4th century.
In the 6th century, Gyeomik, a Buddhist monk of Baekje, went to India to learn more about Buddhism and bring back the scriptures, which were translated to the local language.
Buddhist philosophy spread widely among all sectors of the society, and the ruler considered himself as Buddha to exercise royal control over his subjects.
During this period, many large Buddhist temples and pagodas were built in Baekje.
This also enabled a close interaction with China and Japan, not only in the field of religion and philosophy but also in building temples in these countries during the 5th to 7th centuries.
This period also witnessed the emergence of East Asia as a "geo-cultural circle" with a uniform writing pattern with Chinese characters, practice of Buddhism, and adoption of Confucian legal codes.
The city prospered for nearly 700 years from 18 BC to 660 AD with its neighbouring kingdoms of Goguryeo to the north and Silla to the east.

The historic monuments of the period of Baekje were buried; upon excavation, they were found in a well-preserved condition.
These were recorded by the Government of Korea as Heritage sites under the 1962 Cultural Heritage Protection Act, amended 2012, and the 2004 Special Act on the Preservation and Promotion of Ancient Cities, amended 2013.
The sites have also been brought under the purview of local governments' Cultural Heritage Protection Ordinances such as the Chungcheongnam-do of 2002 and Jeollabuk-do of 1999.

A special organization called the Baekje Historic Areas Conservation and Management Foundation has been set up with all stakeholders on board; central, provincial, and local governments and community associations are involved.
An overall Conservation and Management Plan for 2015–2019 has also been put in place to ensure that the "Outstanding Universal Value" of the monuments in the inscribed property are well preserved with an appropriate Tourism Management Plan for the sites.
In Baekje, an ancient kingdom of Korea that flourished for 678 years from 18 BC to 660 AD, interaction with East Asian countries enabled the development of its own unique culture, differing from those of the other two neighboring kingdoms of Goguryeo and Silla. Baekje had been founded on a small area on the banks of the Hangang River, which is the present-day Seoul (Hanseong), in 18 BC, with population migrating from Goguryeo, and over the years the city was enlarged toward the southwestern part of the country. It became famous culturally and economically. Eventually wars broke out among the three kingdoms, and in the battle Goguryeo won and occupied Baekje, the capital of the Baekje Kingdom. Baekje then relocated from Hanseong to Ungjin, where the Gongsanseong Fortress was erected in 475 AD, and established it as its capital. This relocation facilitated the fledgling state of Baekje to imbibe from Chinese culture and architecture related to city planning, and it also subscribed to Buddhism. Baekje also transmitted its cultural and religious values to Japan, and Ungjin (built in the center of the Geumgang River in the form of a diamond, 130 kilometres (81 mi) to the east of Seoul,) became a powerful influence in East Asia.
However, there was a further movement of the capital to Sabi, and a powerful kingdom came to be established in Buyeo in 538 AD. This relocation was necessary for reasons of trade and commerce, as the main capital did not have this advantage. Here the city was developed with a royal palace, forts, royal burial grounds, and a security cordon of a city wall. During the regime of the Sabi period ((538–660 AD), King Seong shifted the capital to Buyeo in 538. Iksan was established as a second capital for administrative purposes. In 660 AD, Baekje suffered defeat at the hands of the Silla, who had aligned with the Tang Dynasty of China.
Buddhism found its way to Baekje from China for the first time in the late 4th century. In the 6th century, Gyeomik, a Buddhist monk of Baekje, went to India to learn more about Buddhism and bring back the scriptures, which were translated to the local language. Buddhist philosophy spread widely among all sectors of the society, and the ruler considered himself as Buddha to exercise royal control over his subjects. During this period, many large Buddhist temples and pagodas were built in Baekje. This also enabled a close interaction with China and Japan, not only in the field of religion and philosophy but also in building temples in these countries during the 5th to 7th centuries. This period also witnessed the emergence of East Asia as a "geo-cultural circle" with a uniform writing pattern with Chinese characters, practice of Buddhism, and adoption of Confucian legal codes. The city prospered for nearly 700 years from 18 BC to 660 AD with its neighbouring kingdoms of Goguryeo to the north and Silla to the east. 
The historic monuments of the period of Baekje were buried; upon excavation, they were found in a well-preserved condition. These were recorded by the Government of Korea as Heritage sites under the 1962 Cultural Heritage Protection Act, amended 2012, and the 2004 Special Act on the Preservation and Promotion of Ancient Cities, amended 2013. The sites have also been brought under the purview of local governments' Cultural Heritage Protection Ordinances such as the Chungcheongnam-do of 2002 and Jeollabuk-do of 1999.
A special organization called the Baekje Historic Areas Conservation and Management Foundation has been set up with all stakeholders on board; central, provincial, and local governments and community associations are involved. An overall Conservation and Management Plan for 2015–2019 has also been put in place to ensure that the "Outstanding Universal Value" of the monuments in the inscribed property are well preserved with an appropriate Tourism Management Plan for the sites.
Baekje Historic Areas