Gungnae

Gungnaeseong, also known as Guonei, was a prominent city that served as the capital of the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo. Located in present-day Ji'an, Jilin province, northeast China, Gungnae was strategically significant and fortified with an outer fortress measuring 2,686 meters in perimeter. Established as the capital by King Yuri in 3 CE, it remained central to the kingdom's administration and defense until the capital was moved to Pyongyang by King Jangsu in 427 CE. Gungnae witnessed the rise of Goguryeo as a formidable power in northeast Asia under rulers such as Gwanggaeto the Great. The city eventually fell to the Silla-Tang alliance in 666 CE, contributing to the kingdom's downfall two years later. Gungnae's historical and architectural significance has been recognized by its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.