Gwanggaeto Stele Monument

Address: Gwanggaeto Stele (approximate location near Ji’an, Jilin Province, China)

The Gwanggaeto Stele is a large stone monument located in Ji’an, Jilin province, northeastern China, erected in 414 AD to commemorate the reign of King Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo. It is a primary historical inscription for the period and is often consulted by scholars of early Korean and regional history.

The stele bears a long carved inscription that records royal achievements, military campaigns, and territorial claims; the text is written in Classical Chinese. Many visitors come to view the carved panels and the inscription in situ and to see the stele’s association with nearby Goguryeo tombs and archaeological remains.

The monument was commissioned by Gwanggaeto’s son, King Jangsu, and set up soon after Gwanggaeto’s death. Over the centuries the stele has been studied, copied, and occasionally contested in interpretation, but the stone itself has remained in its original location.

The stele stands at a site in Ji’an on the Yalu River, within the bounds of the ancient Goguryeo capital area. Ji’an is the nearest city in Jilin province; the site lies in northeastern China near the modern China-North Korea border.

• Inscription language: Inscription is in Classical Chinese and records the military achievements and territorial expansion of King Gwanggaeto and his successors.
• Date and importance: Erected in 414 AD, it is one of the primary epigraphic sources for early Goguryeo history.

The stele is located near Ji’an in Jilin Province. Access often requires a regional bus or taxi from the city of Ji’an; regional guides and local tourist information can provide current access routes.

• Combine the stele visit with the nearby city museums in Ji'an for historical context
• Bring a photocopy or photograph of inscriptions-local guides can help interpret the classical Chinese and Goguryeo-era script
• Wear sturdy shoes; the stele is sometimes accessed via unpaved paths