UNESCO World Heritage (Seooreung Royal Tombs)

 

There are five royal tombs, namely Changneung, Ingneung, Myeongneung, Gyeongneung and Hongneung, located in Yongdu-dong, Deokyang-gu, Goyang, which is at the western border of Seoul. Seooreung is registered as UNESCO World Heritage / Historic Site No.198.

The Seooreung Royal Tomb was built as the Five Tomb sites of the Joseon Royal Family, with a forest that serves as a place for residents in this neighborhood to go for a stroll.

The operating hours differ in each season, and last admission is 1 hour before closing.

February to May / September to October - 06:00 - 18:00

June to August (Summer) - 06:00 - 18:30

November to January (Winter) - 06:30 - 17:30 

Please take note that they are closed every Monday.

Below is the entrance fee, for your reference:

- Adult (aged 25 - 64) - KRW 1,000

- Koreans aged 6 and below, aged 7 - 24, aged 65 and above - Free

- Goyang residents - 50% discount

- Every last Wednesday of the month (Culture day) - Free

Seooreung Royal Tomb is a non-smoking area, and camping items such as as flammable object, alcohol, food, mats, tents, etc is prohibited. It is important to follow the etiquette when you visit the world heritage site.

At the starting point of the walking path, you will see a sign hanging on the tree. To keep social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, they recommend you to keep right when you walk. Kindly follow the COVID-19 preventive guidelines such as keeping 2m social distancing, wear a mask, etc. 

Seooreung Royal Tombs is the second largest royal burial site of the Joseon dynasty after Donggureung Royal Tombs.

Seooreung Royal Tombs consist of a few royal tombs, such as Changreung Royal Tomb (King Yejong and Queen Ansun), Gyeongreung Royal Tomb (King Deokjong and Queen Sohye), Myeongreung Royal Tomb (King Sukjong, Queen Inhyeong and Queen Inwon), Ingneung Royal Tomb (Queen Ingyeong) and Hongreung Royal Tomb (King Yeongjo and Queen Jeongseong). In addition, there are also Sunchangwon - burial site of Crown Prince Sunhoe (King Myeongjong's first son), Sugyeongwon - burial site of Lady Yi (concubine to King Yeongjo and Crown Prince Sejo's mother), and  Daebinmyo - burial site of Lady Jang Heebin (King Sukjong's royal concubine).

Myeongreung Royal Tomb

When you enter this place, you will first see Myeongneung. This burial site includes King Sukjong, the 19th king of the Joseon Dynasty, Queen Inhyeong, the second queen, and Queen Inwon, the third queen.

Daebinmyo

Daebinmyo is the burial site of Lady Jang Heebin, the 19th King of Joseon Dynasty, King Sukjong's royal concubine). Lady Jang entered the palace as a court lady and became a royal concubine after giving birth to King Sukjong's first son, Yun (Gyeongjong), who pushed Queen Inhyeong out and eventually became the queen. However, in 1694 (the 20th year of King Sukjong's reign), Queen Inhyeon was reinstated and Lady Jang died after being demoted to Heebin.

Her son became the king (Gyeongjong) and was greaned the honor as "Oksanbu Daebin". The shrine was named Daebingung Palace and the burial site was named Daebinmyo.

There are also walking paths at this place. After you have visited all the royal tombs, you can take a walk along the Red-Leaved Hornbeam and pine trees. Red-Leaved Hornbeam walking trail is about 1.92km long and it takes 40 minutes to complete the trail while the pines trees walking path is 1.08km long and takes about 20 minutes. If you have plenty of time, we recommend you to take a walk at these two paths.

It is also good to walk slowly and spend some time learning the history at the royal tombs. If you feel tired, just find a bench and take a rest.

There are many toilets in Seooreung Royal Tombs, so don't worry that you can't find it when you want to use it.

How about visiting this UNESCO World Heritage sites - Seooreung Royal Tombs to have a relaxing time and learn about the history of Joseon Dynasty?

[Information about Seooreung Royal Tombs]

1. Getting here : AREX Digital Media City Station, Transfer to Subway Line 6 ▶ Get off at Eungam Station, take Bus #702A ▶ Get off at Entrance of Seooreung Royal Tombs, walk 2 mins

2. Address: 334-32 Seooreung-ro, Deokyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

3. Operating hours:

February to May / September to October - 06:00 - 18:00

June to August (Summer) - 06:00 - 18:30

November to January (Winter) - 06:30 - 17:30 

Closed every Monday.

4. Entrance fee:

- Adult (aged 25 - 64) - KRW 1,000

- Koreans aged 6 and below, aged 7 - 24, aged 65 and above - Free

- Goyang residents - 50% discount

- Every last Wednesday of the month (Culture day) - Free

*You need to show your ID card to get discount

5. Contact number : +82-2-359-0090

6. Website: http://royaltombs.cha.go.kr/html/HtmlPage.do?pg=/new/html/portal_01_10_01.jsp&mn=RT_01_10

*Please wear a mask and practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wash hands frequently and practice cough etiquette. Stay safe!