Jongmyo & Changgyeonggung

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  • Phone
    762 4868
  • Website
  • Transport
    underground rail: Line 1, 3 or 5 to Jongno 3-ga, Exit 11
  • Mar-Oct: Wed-Mon 09:00 - 18:00 , Nov-Feb: Wed-Mon 09:00 - 17:30

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Lonely Planet review

Surrounded by dense woodland are the impressive buildings of Jongmyo, which house the spirit tablets of the Joseon kings and queens and some of their most loyal government officials. Their spirits are believed to reside in a special hole bored into the wooden tablets.

Near the entrance is a square pond (representing the earth) with a round island (representing the heavens). The main shrine, Jeongjeon, originally constructed in 1395, is a very long, stately and austere building with a large stone-flagged courtyard in front of it. Inside are 49 royal spirit tablets in 19 small rooms but they are usually locked. On the right-hand side of the main entrance is Gonsindang, which houses the spirit tablets of 83 meritorious subjects who served their kings well and were rewarded with their spirit tablets sharing the royal compound - the highest honour they could hope for. On the left side are shrines to Chilsa, the seven gods who aid kings. The smaller shrine, Yeongnyeongjeon (Hall of Eternal Peace), originally built in 1421, has 34 spirit tablets of lesser kings in six rooms. An English-speaking guide may be available at and (free, one hour).