Jongmyodaeje (Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite of Joseon) (종묘대제)

8.3Km 2022-10-05

157, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-3210-4806, +82-2-6011-1067

Jongmyodaeje, Korea’s Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite, is a traditional ritual that has been recognized with many important designations. It is a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 56 (Jongmyo Jerye), and Korea’s Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 1 (Jongmyo Jeryeak). The ritual is held yearly on the first Sunday of May. It begins with eogahaengnyeol, the fabulous royal parade dating from the Joseon dynasy, which is truly a sight to behold as it moves through the modern city.

Jongmyodaeje originated as a royal ancestral ritual to honor the past kings and queens of the Joseon dynasty. During the Joseon era, the ritual was held five times a year (spring, summer, autumn, winter, and December) until it was abolished by Japanese colonial rule. In 1969, Jongmyodaeje was reinstated and has been held in May every year since.

Jongmyo Shrine, the destination of the procession, was the setting of ceremonial rituals during the Joseon dynasty. Originally, Jongmyo only referred to Jeongjeon (Main Hall) where the memorial tablets of Joseon’s reigning kings and queens are enshrined. Today, however, Jongmyo also encompasses Yeongnyeongjeon (Hall of Eternal Peace) where the tablets of posthumous kings and queens are enshrined and Gongsindang (Hall of Meritorious Subjects) where the tablets of esteemed ministers of the state are kept.

Jeongdong Culture Festival (정동문화축제)

8.3Km 2024-10-11

Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3701-1603

Jeongdong Culture Festival brings an autumn ambience to Jeongdong-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul. The festival aims to promote the attractions within the area through various events and exhibitions.

Gwanghwamun Seokgalbi (광화문석갈비)

8.3Km 2021-05-25

136, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-318-6288

It is a restaurant frequently used as a place for group dinners by office workers. This restaurant's signature menu is grilled ribs on a hot plate. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Laderach SFC (레더라 SFC)

8.3Km 2021-03-29

136, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-3245

It is a Swiss chocolate shop. The best menu at this restaurant is chocolate drink. This cafe is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Huiraedeung (희래등)

8.3Km 2021-03-30

123, Deungyong-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
+82-2-827-0722

It is a place where not only family gatherings but also group dining are available. This restaurant's signature menu is sweet and sour pork. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Dongjak-gu, Seoul.

Seoul Papyrus [Tax Refund Shop] (서울파피루스)

8.3Km 2024-04-19

136, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Cheonggye Pharmacy - Cheonggyecheon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (청계약국 청계천)

8.3Km 2024-04-17

14, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Jeongdong Theater (국립 정동극장)

8.3Km 2024-06-19

43 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-751-1500

Jeongdong Theater is located along Deoksugung Stone Wall Path and serves as a cultural hub for local citizens. Opened in 1995, Jeongdong Theater is historically significant as it was established to restitute the legacy of Wongaksa, the first modern theater in Korea. Jeongdong Theater features numerous critically-acclaimed productions, such as “Traditional Art Performance,” “Masters Exhibition,” and “Art Frontier,” as well as programs like “Art Stage at Noon” that are geared toward the general public. As a result, Jeongdong Theater has become one of Korea's representative traditional arts performance theaters and was designated as a Seoul Future Heritage in 2015.

The theater successfully held the performance “Miso” in 2010, featuring the traditional musical "Love Songs from Chunhyang," written and created by Jeongdong Theater. The musical attracted many international visitors from all over the world, passing on Korean cultural values and beauty, as well as gaining the attention of critics worldwide. In addition, the theater also produced "The 2nd Story of Miso: Baebijang-jeon," offering a modern interpretation of the fundamental values found in Korea's culture and art.

Matborae Jeukseok Tteokbokki (맛보래즉석떡볶이)

8.3Km 2021-03-19

9, Insadong, 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-4831

A spicy rice cakes specialty restaurant located in Insa-dong, Seoul. The most famous menu is stir-fried rice cake with cheese. Jjajang tteokbokki is also delicious.

Seoul Bangidong Ancient Tombs (서울 방이동 고분군)

8.3Km 2022-12-29

219, Ogeum-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2147-2800

The ancient tombs in Bangi-dong were discovered during the land readjustment project of Jamsil-jigu District in 1975. A total of eight ancient tombs were excavated until 1976, and the site was restored into a park in 1983. The Bangi-dong area was originally a low line of hills with an altitude of 30-50 meters above sea level, but it has been made into flatland for urban development purposes. Tomb numbers 1 to 6 lie on the same hill, while tomb no. 7 and 8 are located on another hill a short distance away.

All eight tombs have circular burial mounds. The insides of the a tomb feature a square or rectangular-shaped burial chamber with earthen ground and stone walls, and a passage leading from the tomb entrance to the chamber. However, details of the burial chambers vary by tomb. Most of the tombs had been robbed before the investigation, but a few relics such as plates and pots have been excavated. At the time of excavation, the relics were presumed to have come from the Baekje dynasty (18 BC-660 AD), but it is now estimated that they date back to the Unified Silla Period (676-935 AD).

Jongmyodaeje (Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite of Joseon) (종묘대제) - Area information - Korea travel information