Gimhae (김해,金海市, formally romanized as Kimhae) is a city west of Busan in the south-eastern province of South Gyeongsang, South Korea.
Often overlooked as just the location of Busan's airport, Gimhae has plenty of historical sights and famous chicken restaurants to try. It used to be a significant city in the ancient Korean Gaya kingdom (AD 42 to AD 562).
- Jillye-myeon. This village, nestled in the plains of a valley, is famous for showcasing the area's history and for making all types of pottery and clay pieces. An encouraged short trip "off the beaten path" is to walk the main street and shop the numerous pottery and craft stores. Also in Jillye-myeon is the Clayarch Gimhae Museum, which exhibits many works of art by local and regional artists, as well as some history.
- Tomb of Queen Heo Hwangok, 312 Seosang-dong, Gimhae-si, +82 55-332-1094. 09:00 - 17:00. Legend has it that in AD48, Princess Suriratna of the Ayutah Kingdom in the city of Ayodhya in India was sent to Korea at the age of 16 to marry King Suro, and became Queen Heo Hwangok. Although it is not certain that these events actually happened, Korean historians believe that if true, the subsequent Kim clan can claim to have as many as 10% of Koreans as her descendants. It has been relatively rare in Korea to have foreign family connections, so the story is quite significant. Her tomb is situated in a nice park with other tombs.
- Gimhae National Museum, 190 Gayaui-gil, Gimhae-si, +82 55-325-9331. 09:00 - 18:00. Historical exhibits about the ancient Gaya kingdom
- Bunsan Fortress, 경상남도 김해시 어방동 산 964. Built in the Gaya Period and demolished after the Japanese Invasion in 1592. It has been reconstructed and is a popular hiking stop.
Jillye-myeon. This village, nestled in the plains of a valley, is famous for showcasing the area's history and for making all types of pottery and clay pieces. An encouraged short trip "off the beaten path" is to walk the main street and shop the numerous pottery and craft stores. Also in Jillye-myeon is the Clayarch Gimhae Museum, which exhibits many works of art by local and regional artists, as well as some history.
Tomb of Queen Heo Hwangok, 312 Seosang-dong, Gimhae-si, +82 55-332-1094. 09:00 - 17:00. Legend has it that in AD48, Princess Suriratna of the Ayutah Kingdom in the city of [[Ayodhya]] in India was sent to Korea at the age of 16 to marry King Suro, and became Queen Heo Hwangok. Although it is not certain that these events actually happened, Korean historians believe that if true, the subsequent Kim clan can claim to have as many as 10% of Koreans as her descendants. It has been relatively rare in Korea to have foreign family connections, so the story is quite significant. Her tomb is situated in a nice park with other tombs.
Gimhae National Museum, 190 Gayaui-gil, Gimhae-si, +82 55-325-9331. 09:00 - 18:00. Historical exhibits about the ancient Gaya kingdom
Bunsan Fortress, 경상남도 김해시 어방동 산 964. Built in the Gaya Period and demolished after the Japanese Invasion in 1592. It has been reconstructed and is a popular hiking stop.
As with much of Korea, there are many good places to eat — especially in the central district. However, Gimhae has become famous for its chicken restaurants that have begun on the west side of the area, near Sinan-ri, particularly on Dae-Am San mountain.