The 'Heavenly Horse' painting is the first of its kind discovered from the Silla period, as few paintings from that era survived.
The tomb was initially known as Tomb No. 155 before the discovery of the horse painting led to its current designation.
The burial chamber was constructed using large boulders stacked on top of a wooden frame, typical of Silla stone-mound burials.
Over 11,500 artifacts were recovered, including a solid gold crown and a gold waist belt, highlighting the Silla Kingdom's immense wealth.
The mound has a diameter of 47 meters and a height of 12.7 meters, making it one of the more prominent tumuli in the park.
The interior is maintained with climate control systems to protect the archaeological site from humidity and temperature fluctuations.
The golden crown found here is designated as National Treasure No. 188.
Cheonmachong is a royal Silla tomb located within the Daereungwon Tumuli Park in Gyeongju. It is uniquely distinguished as the only tomb in the complex with an interior open to the public, allowing visitors to walk inside the mound structure. Excavated in 1973, the tomb dates back to the 5th or 6th century and belongs to an unidentified Silla monarch. The internal structure is built as a wooden chamber covered by a massive pile of stones and earth. Archaeologists recovered over 11,500 artifacts from this site during excavation. The tomb earned its name, 'Heavenly Horse Tomb,' from a birch bark saddle flap painting depicting a flying horse. The interior display showcases a replica of the original burial chamber and royal golden accessories. It remains a primary site for understanding the burial customs and craftsmanship of the Silla Kingdom.
The elevated viewing angle from the park path facing the entrance of the tomb's mound.
Walk the entire perimeter of the tumuli park to see other unexcavated royal mounds after touring the tomb interior.
Visit on a weekday to avoid congestion inside the narrow tomb corridor.
Look closely at the glass display cases, as they contain high-quality replicas of the gold jewelry found during excavation.
Do not attempt to climb any of the burial mounds in the park, as it is strictly prohibited to preserve the landscape.
Maintain a quiet tone inside the tomb as it is considered a sacred burial site; do not touch the internal glass barriers.
