Seoul » Gangnam-gu » Seolleung / Jeongneung (a.k.a. Seonjeongneung) [UNESCO World Heritage] (서울 선릉과 정릉 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

Seolleung / Jeongneung (a.k.a. Seonjeongneung) [UNESCO World Heritage] (서울 선릉과 정릉 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

Seolleung / Jeongneu...




Address

1, Seolleung-ro 100-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 강남구 선릉로100길 1 (삼성동)



Type

Monuments/ Historical Sites



Inquiries

• 1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-568-1291



Homepage

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

Introduction

"The Stone Guards of the Royal Tombs"

Seonjeongneung comprises of the Seolleung Royal Tomb (선릉) and the Jeongneung Royal Tomb (정릉).
Located in downtown Seoul, this place offers tranquil and pleasant promenades for couples and office workers. Seonjeongneung houses the burial mounds of King Seongjong (1469-1494), his wife Queen Jeonghyeon, and King Jungjong (1506-1544) of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
Upon entering the grounds, you can see a red gate (the red colour denoting holiness) with a taegeuk (yin-yang) symbol. The stone paths leading to the sacrificial building are noteworthy because there are two stone paths—the elevated path is for the dead King and the lower one is for living people. In the past the memorial rites were performed in the sacrificial building. Small sculptures on the eaves called Japsang were carved in the shape of animals such as monkeys and were believed to exorcise evil spirits. Next to the sacrificial building, there is a pavilion and a tombstone which is obviously the tomb of the King. Sculptures of sheep and tigers surround the tomb and are guardians of the dead King. There is also a statue of a military officer bearing a sword. In front of the tomb is an outstanding sight called the 'Mangjuseok,' which is a pair of stones designed to guide the dead King to his tomb. Unlike the tombs of the Kings, the queen’s tomb, Wanghureung, is simple. It doesn’t have any pavilions or sacrificial buildings, but is surrounded by only stone sculptures as guardians.
Seonjeongneung has a lush forest, and benches on the promenade provide an ideal place to relax. There are numerous small hills with clusters of trees that create a border between the mystery and serenity of the royal tombs and the hustle and bustle of downtown Seoul.

Current Status

Historic Site No.199 / UNESCO World Heritage

Closed

Closed on Mondays

Operating Hours

Mar - Oct 06:00-21:00 / Nov - Feb 06:30-21:00
Last Admission: 20:00

Parking Facilities

50 spaces (06:00 - 21:30)
* Parking Fees - 400 won for every 10 mins

Admission Fees

Adults (ages 19~64) - Individual 1,000 won / Group(10 or more) 800 won
Children (ages 7~18) - Individual 500 won / Group(10 or more) 400 won

Facilities for the Handicapped

Wheel chair free rental service (4 hand-operated and 1 automatic wheel chairs), disabled parking space