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Jongmyo Shrine [UNESCO World Heritage]

Jongmyo Shrine [UNES...




Address

Seoul-si Jongno-gu Hunjeong-dong 1-2



Type

Monuments



Inquiries

- Korea Travel Phone +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) - For more info +82-2-765-0195 (Basic English, Korean)



Homepage

jikimi.cha.go.kr (English, Korean)

Introduction

Jongmyo Royal Shrine is the primary place of worship for the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. It was built when the first King of the Joseon Dynasty, Lee Sung-Gye(1335-1408) founded the Joseon Dynasty. Jongmyo Royal Shrine is registered as World Cultural Heritage because the tradition and customs such as the memorial services and traditional music are very well preserved.
There is a trifurcated paths in front of the main gate of Jongmyo Royal Shrine. The middle path between the slightly raised roads is for the dead kings, the east road for the king and the west road for the prince. The road in the middle is connected to Jeongjeon, and the roads on both sides are linked to a room for preparing a memorial service after performing their ablutions. After properly preparing the body and mind, the king and the prince move to Jeonsacheong. Jeonsacheong is where foods for the memorial ceremony are prepared. With the yard in the center, the buildings of Jeonsacheong are square-shaped. The main building, Jeongjeon is where mortuary tablets of kings are preserved and memorial services are held. Only this place has maintained its tradition so far, even though enshrining successive kings was originally handed down from China. Jeongjeon has 19 rooms where each room worships each king. There is Gongshinjeon within a wall of Jeongjeon which enshrines the sincere lieges.
The music of Jongmyo Royal Shrine memorial services is produced by instruments, singing, and dances that date back from over 500 years ago. The melody is also handed down in the same as it once was during this time. This ceremony is the oldest complete ceremony in the world and is held on the first Sunday of May, yearly. It is a great chance to see the grandeur of a traditional ceremony.

Closed

Every Tuesday

Operating Hours

Mar~Oct 09:00-18:00 (until 19:00 on weekends and holidays)
Nov~Feb 09:00-17:30

Admission Fees

	Age 19 and Over	Ages 7 to 18	Age 6 and Under
Individual	1,000 won	500 won	Free
Group	800 won	400 won	Free

* Groups are more than 30 persons.
* Tickets are sold 1 hour prior to the closing time.

Facilities for the Handicapped

Wheel chair free rental service, (Free, 1 hand-operated, 2 automatic wheel chair), disabled toilets, the entrance for disabled

Interpretation Services Offered

English guided tours - Daily 10:00 & 15:30. Japanese & Chinese tours also available.
※ If you wish to receive a guided tour, please make a reservation before visiting Jongmyo Royal Shrine (+82-2-765-0195).

Baby Stroller Rentals

2 baby carriage available

Local Transportation

- From Exit No. 11 of Jongno 3(sam)-ga Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), walk 10 minutes.
- From Exit No. 8 of Jongno 3(sam)-ga Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 3 and 5), walk 10 minutes.

Nearby Tourist Attractions

Changdeokgung palace, Changgyeonggung palace, Daehangno (University Street), Tapgol Park, Unhyeongung (small palace)

Related Tour Packages

Seoul City & World Heritage Tour: Destination: Seoul
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