Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites

These three prehistoric burial sites across South Korea contain over 1,000 stone monuments made from massive slabs arranged in distinctive table-like forms. Each location shows different construction styles and patterns that help archaeologists understand the variety of building practices in Bronze Age Korea.

These structures date from the seventh to third century BCE and make up about 40 percent of all dolmens known worldwide. They document Korean Bronze Age burial customs and how these practices evolved across several centuries.

The size and positioning of each dolmen revealed the social rank of the buried person, showing how this prehistoric society organized its members into different levels. Walking among these stones helps you understand what mattered most to Bronze Age Koreans.

Each of the three locations offers exhibitions explaining construction methods and archaeological findings, with guided tours available in multiple languages. Plan enough time to explore the open grounds and visit the information centers at your own pace.

Some capstones at the Hwasun site weigh up to 280 tons, showing the impressive engineering skills of prehistoric Koreans. How ancient builders moved and placed these massive blocks without modern tools remains a mystery that intrigues visitors.