[2][3][4][5][6] The kingdom was founded in the present day area of North Korea, and part of Manchuria around 37 BCE, and the capital was transferred to P'yŏngyang in 427 CE.

It is thought that the complex was used as a burial site for kings, queens and other members of the royal family.

The paintings found on the tombs offer a unique insight into the everyday life of the Goguryeo period.

The murals are strongly coloured and show daily life and mythology of the time.

The following criteria were considered by UNESCO to merit the Goguryeo tombs' inscription as a World Heritage site: In May 2006, 2,360 individual tombs were discovered at the site of the ancient Goguryeo kingdom during work on the Yunfeng Reservoir.