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Jeongneung Royal Tomb [UNESCO World Heritage]
Seoul(Seongbuk-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

"Neglected for Royal Ascendance"Jeongneung Royal Tomb (정릉) is the tomb of Queen Consort Sindeok, the second wife of King Taejo (1392-1398), founder of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). However, this tomb was not well-maintained compared to other royal tombs because of a power struggle. The queen consort had many children, which naturally induced a battle for the throne. Usually the son of the first wife is the successor of the throne, but Queen Consort Sindeok was determined to have one of her sons ascend the throne instead. However, the successor, King Taejong, killed all her sons and developed an extreme abhorrence towards the queen consort. When she died, King Taejong issued an order to not maintain and preserve her tomb. Therefore, the tomb is rather unkempt and the layout and composition is different from other royal tombs.Upon entering the red gate, the sacrificial building can be seen in front of the tomb along with a pavilion and tombstone. Stone sculptures of sheep and tigers watch over the tomb. A major difference between this tomb and other royal tombs is exhibited in the path from the red gate to the sacrificial building. Usually the path is a straight line, but at Jeongneung Royal Tomb, it is crooked and bent. Furthermore, the color of the sacrificial building is dull and faded.Even though the tomb symbolizes the turmoil and wrath of political struggles, many couples and families come to Jeongneung Royal Tomb for a stroll because of its peacefulness and natural surroundings.

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Namhansanseong Provincial Park [UNESCO World Heritage]
Gyeonggi-do(Gwangju-si) , Bundang

Namhansanseong Provincial Park is a very popular mountain-climbing and driving destination located just outside Seoul. The mountain is famous for being very beautiful all throughout the year. In the spring, the acacia trees grow thick, in the summer the green forest covers the entire mountain, and in the fall, many people visit to climb the mountain covered in red autumn leaves.Namhansanseong Fortress (남한산성), located on Namhansan Mountain, was originally built as a earthen fortress during Gogureyo period, about 2,000 years ago, but after many renovations, Gwanghaegun of the Joseon Period built the fortress properly in 1621. If you climb to the highest peak Iljangsan, you can see Incheon’s Nakjo area, and not only Seoul, but the surrounding Gyeonggi-do area as well. In terms of fortress structure, because the surrounding mountain area is high and rough, and the fortress center level and low, it is an easy place to defend, and to reside comfortably, two prime conditions for a mountain fortress.

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Haeinsa Temple Janggyeongpanjeon Hall [UNESCO World Heritage]
Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun)

Haeinsa Temple was built in 802 AD and is regarded as one of Korea’s three major Buddhist temples along with Tongdosa and Songwangsa. Of the numerous temple halls, most were built in the modern era, with only Janggyeongpanjeon Hall from the early Joseon Dynasty remaining in its original state. However, the temple holds great significance not only for its structure, but also for the treasure it holds inside.Janggyeongpanjeon is a wooden building housing the 13th-century Goryeo Palman Daejanggyeong (the Tripitaka Koreana), a priceless world treasure. The Tripitaka Koreana is a large set (thousands and thousands) of wood blocks that were specially treated to prevent aging and inscribed with the Buddhist canon. It is the oldest and most complete version of the Buddhist canon and is one of the most cherished Buddhist doctrinal collections in the world.Janggyeongpanjeon is comprised of two buildings Sudarajeon to the south and Beopbojeon to the north. Unadorned by decorations or paintings, the buildings carry out the sole function of storing the Tripitaka Koreana wooden tablets. The building has been praised by scientists for its effective air circulation, resistance to moisture, and temperature control – all of which have enabled the Tripitaka Koreana to survive throughout the years. Although the exact date of Janggyeongpanjeon’s construction is still unknown, the hall was built under the order of King Sejo in 1488. It has never suffered the effects of fire or war.In recognition of its architectural beauty and its extraordinary scientific preservation of the world’s only Tripitaka, Janggyeongpanjeon of Haeinsa Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1995.

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Seokguram Grotto [UNESCO World Heritage]
Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. The official name of Seokguram, National Treasure No. 24, is Seokguram Seokgul. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, it is an artificial stone temple made of granite. The construction was started by Kim Dae-Seong (700-774) in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - AD 935) and it was finished twenty-four years later in 774, during the reign of King Hye-Gong (765-780).Seokguram is known to have been built with Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty (the country that unified the Korean peninsula at the end of the Silla Kingdom, 918-1392), Kim Dae-Seong had Bulguksa Temple built for his parents in his current life, and Seokguram Grotto for the parents of his former life.Inside the round-shaped main hall are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva and his disciples. The Bonjon figure wearing a generous smile is seated on the stage engraved with a lotus flower design. The rounded ceiling looks like a half-moon or a bow and has a lotus flower decorated cover on it. As the sunrise from this spot is quite beautiful, many people climb the mountain at daybreak.

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Jangneung Royal Tomb [UNESCO World Heritage]
Gangwon-do(Yeongwol-gun)

Jangneung is the tomb of Danjong, the 6th king of the Joseon Dynasty (r. 1441-1457). After having the throne taken away by Suyang Daegun, his uncle, Danjong was condemned to exile in Yeongwol County, where he was later murdered and his remains were abandoned in the Dongang River. When no one else was brave enough to find his body, Eom Heung-do, the governor of Yeongwol Lake, found his body and buried him in the tomb that later became Jangneung, one of the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Danjong had been stripped of his title at the time he was exiled. His title was later restored in the year 1698, during the reign of King Sukjong, receiving the posthumous name of Danjong, and thereafter was referred to as King Danjong.Jangneung houses such buildings as Jeongjagak, Baesikdansa, Jaesil, Yeongcheon, and Hongsammun, and a history hall with relics of Danjong. The area is surrounded by magnificent pine trees. Since 1967, a religious service called Danjongje is held every year on April 5th, according to the lunar calendar, in commemoration of Danjong.[Buildings in Jangneung]* Jeongjagak Stone – This is where a special offering is presented during the Danjongje service.* Danjongbigak Stone – The building houses the tombstone with the inscription "Joseonguk Danjong Daewang Jangneung."* Baesikdansa Temple – Built in 1791, the building enshrines the tablets of the subjects and eunuchs of Danjong who dedicated their lives to the king. Every year, a religious service is held on their behalf following the service for Danjong.* Yeongcheon Stream – Water was pumped from this well on Danjongje day. Normally, the well only produces a small amount of water, but it is said that water pours out in large amounts during the time of Danjongje.* Danjong History Hall – Miniature models depict the life of Danjong, from the time he became a king to the time of his death. 

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Gongju Gongsanseong Fortress [UNESCO World Heritage]
Chungcheongnam-do(Gongju-si)

Located in Gongju-si, Gongsanseong Fortress is a mountain castle which was established during the Baekje Period (234-678). The castle is about 2.5km long, and there are two ways of touring the castle. One way is to start from the parking lot, pass the west gate, Geumseoru, and walk along the cement road. The other way is to turn left at the beginning of the cement road and walk along the top of the castle, which is called Sanseong Road. The cement road is very smooth and you can walk along it comfortably. On the other hand, Sanseong Road has many twists and the passage is narrow, but it has the advantage of following along the Geumgang riverside.When you begin the tour, the first site that you will meet is the Gongbukru, in front of the Sanseong village. From Gongbukru, follow the Sanseong Road, go over a low hill, and you will see Yeongeunsa, a small temple built in the 4th year of King Se-Jo’s reign. In front of the temple is Manharu and Yeonji, and this place is probably the most elegant out of the whole fortress. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Geumgang riverside right here. Follow the trail path a little further up and Imryugak Pavilion appears, known as the largest of its kind within the fortress. You can glimpse a view of Geumgang River, but the trees may obstruct the open view of the scenery.It is worth the visit for its historical and cultural significance, and also for the beautiful view Geumgang riverside and the castle’s trail. The whole course is about 3 km, and 110m high, and so if you travel at a leisurely pace, it will take you about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

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Jangneung(Located in Paju, Gyeonggi-do) [UNESCO World Heritage]
Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , Paju(Heyri Art valley)

Jangneung (장릉) is located in Paju, Gyeonggi-do province. For preservation reasons, this royal tomb is not open to the general public. This is the mausoleum of King Injo (1595-1649, reign 1623-1649), the 16th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Illyeol.King Injo took the throne in 1623 after having overthrown the previous king, Gwanghaegun, in a military revolt. During his reign, King Injo faced challenges from two foreign invasions in 1627 (Jeongmyohoran, 정묘호란) and 1637 (Byeongjahoran, 병자호란). He died in 1649 in Changdeokgung Palace. 

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Buyeo Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs [UNESCO World Heritage]
Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Hundreds of Baekje tombs are scattered across Buyeo. Among them, Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs, which are close to Buyeo, have been relatively well preserved and are fairly large in size.The Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs were the royal tombs of the Baekje Dynasty from 538 to 660 when the capital of Baekje was Sabi (now Buyeo). In the Baekje Gobun Miniature Museum at the entrance to Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs, mockups and miniature tombs are on display with their cross sections exposed. Here, one can view all kinds of Baekje tombs including stone mounds of the Hanseong Era as well as those discovered in Buyeo.

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Iksan Wanggungni Historic Site [UNESCO World Heritage]
Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

Starting in 1989, archeologists undertook a 20-year-long excavation project at what is now known as the Wanggung-ni Historic Site. During excavation it was discovered that the area had been the site of the royal palace of King Muwang of the Baekje Dynasty from 600 to 640 AD. After the passing of the king, several key buildings of the palace were dismantled and a temple was built. Even today, the outer wall of the royal palace can still be seen, standing as a testament to the site’s unique history. Relics found at the site serve as important documentation of the construction of the royal palace and the lifestyle of the king. Significant discoveries at Wanggungni include 14 building sites (including Jeongjeon Hall where the king took care of political affairs and held ceremonial rituals), the site of the most impressive garden of the Baekje Dynasty, a ceramics workshop site, and remnants of a large palace restroom.

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Hongneung / Yureung (a.k.a, Hongyureung) [UNESCO World Heritage]
Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si) , Namyangju

Hongyureung (홍유릉) refers to the two royal tombs, Hongneung and Yureung, which are both located in the same area. Hongneung is the mausoleum of the 26th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, Emperor Gojong (1852-1919, reign 1863-1907), and his wife Empress Myeongseong (1851-1895).Hongneung(홍릉) was first the tomb of Empress Myeongseong, and it was located in Cheongnyangni, Seoul. When Emperor Gojong died, he was buried together with the previously deceased empress and the tomb was moved to its current place.Emperor Gojong was the second son of the regent Heungseon Daewongun and ascended to the throne at the young age of twelve. In 1897, he declared Korea to be the “Daehan Empire” and established himself as the emperor. However, under unrelenting pressure from Japan, he signed the Eulsa Treaty, and as a result, the Daehan Empire was deprived of its diplomatic rights. In 1919, Emperor Gojong died in Deoksugung Palace at the age of 67.Empress Myeongseong became the empress in 1866. However, at that time, Korea was actually governed not by Emperor Gojong, but by his father, who was controlling things from behind the scenes. In 1873, when Emperor Gojong began to administer state affairs, Empress Myeongseong exercised considerable power and deeply participated in political affairs. Her diplomatic policy was in obvious favor of Russia. This angered Japan, and she was killed by Japanese assassins.Yureung (유릉) is both the last royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty and the tomb of the first Korean emperor. It is the tomb of Emperor Sunjong (1874-1926, reign 1907-1910), the 27th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, his first wife Empress Sunmyeonghyo, and his second wife, Empress Sunjeonghyo. Emperor Sunjong was the second son of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong. He was the last ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and he struggled to defend the dynasty during that era of turbulence.Empress Sunmyeonghyo died when she was still the crown princess. She was originally buried at the foot of Mt. Yongmasan. After Emperor Sunjong died, the tomb was moved to its current location, and the emperor was buried alongside Empress Sunmyeonghyo. Empress Sunjeonghyo became the second wife of Emperor Sunjong at the age of twelve. It is known that she concealed the Imperial Seal when Japan put pressure on the Joseon Dynasty to sign the Korea (Joseon) -Japan Consolidation Treaty in 1910. However, the treaty was concluded, and the Daehan Empire came to an end after being deprived of its sovereignty. Empress Sunjeonghyo is said to have maintained her dignity right up until the moment she died. She was the last empress of the Daehan Empire.Hongneung and Yureung look different from other royal tombs. When the name of the country changed from the Joseon Dynasty to the Daehan Empire, the rulers of Korea were called emperors. Therefore, the tombs of the two emperors were modeled after the tomb of the Ming Dynasty’s ruler, King Taizu (Zhu Yuanzhang). Surrounding Hongneung and Yureung are statues carved in the shape of animals such as giraffes, elephants, and lions, which can’t be seen at the other royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. The stonework of Hongneung tomb was made in a traditional way, while the stonework of Yureung tomb shows a more realistic and advanced technique. 

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