Seolleung Royal Tombs
In the midst of Seoul’s busy streets, you can find a peaceful area without the flood of tourists, and learn a part of Korea’s history during the Joseon Dynasty.
Seolleung Royal Tombs or also known as Seonjeongeung, is the burial place of the 9th King Seongjong (1457-1494) and his lawful second wife, Queen JeongHyeon (1462-1530). King Jungjong (1488-1544) the second son of King Seongjong is also buried here.
The name Seonjeongeung comes from both Seolleung and Jeongneung combined.
Upon arriving at the entrance, you will find a small box office where you pay for the entrance fee. Anyone who is 19 or older has to pay 1,000 won (around $1), but if you are with a group of more than 10 people it’s only 800 won (80 cents). For ages 7-18 the entrance fee is 500 won (50 cents) and for a group of more than 10 people it will be 400 won (40 cents). Opening hours are from 6:30 am – 9 pm.
On the map,the Royal Tomb History Center. I highly recommend visiting this to see more historical things about the Joseon Dynasty and the King and Queen.
If you decide to go either left or right, when you arrive at any of the T-shaped shrines keep in mind that there are two different types of walking paths. Unfortunately when I visited I did not see the sign at first. Thankfully, I was not on the wrong path for very long.
As you can see, the path that is higher up is a sacred path for the spirit only. Visitors are only allowed to walk on the King’s walkway. When you visit the shrines, it’s best to enter the road through the red split gates so you won’t miss these signs.
Walking along pathways to get from one tomb to another, there is a lot of beautiful forest scenery.
Unfortunately the tombs are quite restricted and makes it difficult to physically take images of the tomb itself. At the top of the hill here would be the burial place of Queen Jeonghyeon. Luckily, there is a path to walk up and have a closer look at the tomb.
To arrive here on foot, take the Seoul subway line 2 and get off at Seolleung Station exit 8. Keep walking straight along Seolleung-ro for about 5 minutes.
It is easy to find as the large amount of greenery is quite obvious in a large mass of buildings.
Address
1, Seolleung-ro 100-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 강남구 선릉로100길 1 (삼성동)