• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Prev Next

• Information
  Introduction
  Jongmyo Shrine was the primary place of worship for kings and their queens throughout the Joseon dynasty. The compound is composed of various buildings in addition to the main hall. The shrine was built at the same time as Gyeongbokgung Palace, under the orders of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty. The shrine is the site of the royal memorial service, called Jongmyo Jaerye, a national event that has been passed down since the Three Kingdoms period. The shrine was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site on December 9, 1995, for its well-preserved ancient customs, such as memorial services and traditional music, which are designated National Intangible Cultural Asset No. 1 & 56 respectively.
  
  During the Joseon dynasty, the ritual was held on the first month of a seasonal change and the twelfth month of the lunar year, but was stopped during the Japanese colonial period. Now, it is annually reenacted on the first Sunday of May. Jongmyo Jaeryeak, the musical part of the ceremony, is produced by instruments, songs, and dances that originated over 500 years ago.
  
  Current Status
  Historic Site No. 125 (designated on January 18, 1963)
  
  Closed
  Tuesdays
  
  Duration
  Approx. 1 hr
  
  Tour Course Information
  [Course 1] (for 200 people or less)
  Main gate - King Gongmin Shrine - Mangmyoru Pavilion - Hyangdaecheong - Jaegung Palace - Jeongjeon Hall - Yeongnyeongjeon Hall - Akgongcheong - Main gate
  
  [Course 2] (for more than 200 people)
  Main gate - Jaegung Palace - Jeongjeon Hall - Yeongnyeongjeon Hall - Akgongcheong - Hyangdaecheong - Mangmyoru Pavilion - King Gongmin Shrine - Main gate
  
  Operating Hours
  [Guided Tours] Hours vary by offered language
  [General Viewing] Saturdays & last Wednesday of each month
  February-May, September-October 09:00-18:00
  June-August 09:00-18:30
  November-January 09:00-17:30
  * Last admission 1 hour before closing
  
  Parking Facilities
  Not available (Use paid parking lot of park in front of shrine)
  
  Admission Fees
  Individuals - Adults 1,000 won / Children 500 won
  
  * Adults (ages 19-64) / Children (ages 7-18) * Free admission (ID required): Preschoolers (ages 6 & younger), senior citizens (ages 65 & older), visitors wearing hanbok
  
  Available Facilities
  Benches, public telephone, wheelchair & stroller rental
  
  Restrooms
  Available
  
  Interpretation Services Offered
  [Guided Tours]
  
  * English - 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
  * Japanese - 09:00, 09:40, 10:40, 11:40, 12:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:40, 16:40 (Mar-Sep)
  * Chinese - 11:00, 13:00, 15:00
  
  * Reservation required via official website, except for Saturdays; up to 300 people per session
  * Korean nationals may join a foreign language guided tour when accompanying international visitors.
  * Guided tour in Japanese 16:40 session is only offered from March to September
  
  
• Forecast
• Tourist Sites

  • 

    Changgyeonggung Palace (창경궁)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Palaces/ Fortresses/ Gates
    Located in the heart of Seoul, Changgyeonggung Palace was originally built as Suganggung Palace by the 4th ruler of the Joseon dynasty, King Sejong (r.1418-1450...

  • 

    Changgyeonggung Palace Honghwamun Gate (창경궁 홍화문)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Palaces/ Fortresses/ Gates
    Honghwamun Gate is the main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace. It has three opening gates in the front and two to the side with a sophisticated locking mechanism.

  • 

    Tteok Museum (떡박물관)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Museums
    The Tteok Museum displays over 2,000 Korean kitchen utensils and tteok (rice cake) related items, arranged by various themes. The displayed utensils are handmad...

  • 

    Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery (서울아트센터 공평갤러리)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Art Museums/ Art Galleries
    Opened in 1992, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery is a 17,791㎡, two-story building with four exhibition halls. It is one of the main galleries of Insa-dong, d...

  • 

    Nakseonjae Hall (낙선재)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Palaces/ Fortresses/ Gates
    Located inside Changdeokgung Palace, Nakseonjae Hall is a one-story structure built in ikgong style (bird wing-shaped eaves placed on top of the pillars) with a...

• Accommodation

  • 

    Dajayon hanok guest house [Korea Quality] / 다자연한옥스테이 [한국관광 품질인증]

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Hanok
    Dajayon Guest House is very conveniently located at the center of downtown Seoul. It’s within 2 minutes away from Jongno 3-ga Station on Subway Lines 1, 3, and...

  • 

    Hostel Tommy (호스텔 토미)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Youth Hostel
    Hostel Tommy is located in the Jongno district, right in the middle of Seoul. The location is within walking distance from some of the major tourist attractions...

  • 

    SAEWHA HOSTEL[Korea Quality] / 세화호스텔[한국관광 품질인증]

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Youth Hostel
    Saehwa Hostel’s central location in Jongno, Seoul, gives it unparalleled convenience and accessibility for tourists. Many restaurants, markets, shopping streets...

  • 

    Sieunjae [Korea Quality] / 시은재 [한국관광 품질인증]

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Hanok
    Located in Gyeongun-dong, Jongno-gu at the very heart of Seoul, Sieunjae is a hanok with a longstanding tradition. It has three guestrooms including the anbang...

  • 

    Hotel Crown Insadong (호텔 크라운-인사동)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Tourist Hotel
    Hotel Crown is a premier hotel that was renovated in May 2002. The hotel is in close proximity to Jongno and Insa-dong, making it a convenient place to stay for...

• Restaurants

  • 

    Manboseong (만보성)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Chinese Food
    It is a place where you can eat a variety of Chinese dishes at reasonable prices. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous ...

  • 

    Dolgorae Hoetjip (돌고래횟집)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Korean Food
    A great place for group dining and gatherings. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is sliced raw fish.

  • 

    Gyerim Sikdang (계림식당)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Korean Food
    This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul. The best menu at this restaurant is spicy braised chicken. Try Korean spicy chicken dishes.

  • 

    OH!WABA (오!바바)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Bars/ Cafes/ Clubs
    A waffle shop. The best menu at this restaurant is waffle. This is a cafe located in Jongno, Seoul.

  • 

    Halmeoni Kalguksu
    (할머니칼국수)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Korean Food
    It is a place where you can enjoy Korean noodles with hot soup. The best menu at this restaurant is noodle soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jon...

• Shopping

  • 

    Sewoon Plaza (세운전자상가(세운전자플라자))

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Shops/Malls
    Sewoon Plaza, also known as Sewoon Electronics Plaza, was famous for electronic goods as the sole electronics shop before Yongsan Electronics Department Store w...

  • 

    Teterot Salon (때때롯살롱)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Shops/Malls
    Teterot Salon is a representative hanbok brand in Seoul operated by Chima Jeogori Seoul. They boast high levels of completion by closely monitoring the process ...

  • 

    Hanji Chueok (Recollections) (한지추억)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Craft Workshops
    Hanji Chueok (Recollections) is one of the better-known craft shops in Insa-dong and has even been featured by a number of international magazines. Prepared usi...

  • 

    Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Shops/Malls
    As of today, there are approximately 70 shops in the Insa-dong Intersection area that sell antique arts. Some of the products they sell include antique artworks...

  • 

    Mibo Jewelry (미보 주얼리)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Shops/Malls
    Mibo Jewelry carries a wide selection of necklaces, rings and earrings made with gold, silver and precious gemstones like diamond, ruby, sapphire, pearl, etc. T...

• Transportation
  Directions
  [Subway]
  Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 3, 5), Exit 11.
  
  [Bus]
  Take Bus No. 111, 201, 260, 262, 270, 271, 721, N15, N62 or 9301 and get off at Jongno 4(sa)-ga.Jongmyo Shrine Bus Stop.
  
  

VisitKorea does not guarantee the quality of products or services introduced on its site and is not responsible for any direct or indirect losses resulting from use of said products or services.