In a city as lively as Seoul, why would you want to visit the dead? A good question, yet nonetheless, it’s exactly what I find myself doing at Jongmyo Shrine one afternoon.
But the good question has a good answer. Because, as the guide for my tour of the site puts it, Jongmyo Shrine is “a symbol of the Korean people’s thought”.
At the most basic level, this is the shrine dedicated to the dead kings of the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled Korea for about 500 years in 1897. But what the guide is also saying is that the shrine shows you some of the foundational principles of Korean culture, particularly those around Confucian principles.
What you see here in a highly formalised and official form is reflected more casually in the way that Koreans live their lives today.
It’s an insight into a rich and complex country, all presented within calm and verdant parklands that surround the buildings housing the spirit tablets of some of Korea’s greatest leaders.
What is Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul?
Jongmyo Shrine is one of Seoul’s most important sites, where the spirit tablets of many of the country’s dead kings and queens are kept in buildings surrounded by tranquil parklands.
Why is Jongmyo Shrine important?
With the spirit tablets of 49 kings and queens, Jongmyo Shrine is one of the most significant sites of the Joseon Dynasty and still a focal point for royal ancestral rituals. It’s also internationally significant because South Korea is the only country that has preserved its royal shrine.
Can you visit Jongymo Shrine?
Jongmyo Shrine is open to the public and visiting it is one of the most interesting thing to do in Seoul. During the week you need to join a guided tour to visit Jongmyo Shrine but it’s open on the weekend to explore at your own pace.
When it comes to the best things to do in Seoul, I don’t think Jongmyo Shrine is one of the most visually spectacular. It’s certainly pleasant, in the way that a park is pleasant, but the buildings of the royal palaces are much more impressive in comparison.
However, the story of Jongmyo Shrine is fascinating and such an important part of Korean cultural history. It’s one of the reasons I think it is well worth visiting and why Jongmyo Shrine is one of South Korea’s World Heritage Sites.
Knowing a bit of this story before you go will help you prepare for a visit to Jongmyo Shrine, so that’s what I want to talk about now.
The story of Jongmyo Shrine
To understand what…
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