Jongmyo Shrine종묘

At a glance

Jongmyo is where Joseon's royal family, and later the Korean Empire's, kept the spirit tablets of past rulers and their consorts and held rites for them. Building began in 1395, soon after the dynasty moved its capital to Seoul. The long main hall, Jeongjeon, now has 19 chambers, and the smaller Yeongnyeongjeon, added under King Sejong, has 16. Come for the quiet grounds and the striking length of the halls rather than for decoration.

Book ahead

Paid links · These are affiliate links: when you book through them, K for All earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Booking, payment, cancellations and refunds are handled by the booking site — check its final terms before you pay.

Jongmyo Shrine · 4 tours & tickets

1. GetYourGuidePrivate tour: Gyeongbokgung, Jongmyo, COEX, BongeunsaAn 8-hour private tour of Gyeongbokgung, Jongmyo Shrine, COEX and Bongeunsa Temple, with entry tickets included.Book
2. KlookWorld Cultural Heritage Tour in SeoulA UNESCO heritage tour covering Changdeokgung, Jongmyo Shrine and other listed sites, in half-day or full-day versions.Book
3. KlookRoots of Seoul walk: Jongmyo & JogyesaA guided walking tour of Jongno heritage: Jongmyo Shrine, Jogyesa Temple and Gwangjang Market.Book
4. Trip.comSeoul self-guided audio tourA self-guided audio walk in 24 languages with 10 stops, from Tapgol Park through Bukchon and Changdeokgung to Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo; audio plays offline.Book

Places to stay nearby

Paid links · Expedia links are affiliate links: when you book through them, K for All earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Distances are rough straight-line figures. Pick your dates on Expedia for live prices, and check each property's cancellation policy before you book.

Map

Numbers match the list. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

KakaoMapNaver MapGoogle Maps

Tips

• 01
  Jongmyo closes on Tuesdays, while Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung close on Mondays, which helps when planning a palace day.
• 02
  In November the last entry moves to 16:30, so go earlier in the day.
• 03
  Viewing rules can change, so check the Royal Palaces website (royal.khs.go.kr) for current notices before you go.

Nearby

Gwangjang MarketKorea's first permanent market (1905): sizzling mung-bean pancakes, mini gimbap and yukhoe at busy food stalls, plus hanbok, fabric and vintage floors.Ikseon-dong Hanok StreetA maze of 1920s hanok turned into cafés and shops — best at dusk, when the street-food tents next door light up.Changgyeonggung PalaceA Joseon palace built for three queen dowagers, unusual for facing east, that was turned into a zoo and park before being restored; open until 21:00.Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon (Secret Garden)The UNESCO-listed palace Joseon kings used most, set into wooded hills, with a guide-only Secret Garden of ponds and pavilions.