Royal Seonjeongneung Tomb in Seoul

seonjeongneung-tombSeonjeongneung Tomb is a royal burial place located at Seolleung Station in Seoul (photo credit: royaltombs.cha.go.kr)

Seonjeongneung Tomb

Seonjeongneung Tomb is the name given to both Seolleung and Jeongneung tombs. The name refers to the royal burial places of King Seonjong (the 9th king of the Joseon Dynasty), Queen Jeonghyeon (the second wife of King Seongjong), and King Jungjong (a child of the two).

Seonjeongneung Tomb is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Besides, the tomb is also designated as Historic Site No. 199 by the Korean government.

Although the Joseon Dynasty tombs pretty much look the same in design, what makes the difference is the surroundings and the serene environment.

It is excellent for a quiet time and relaxation space for family, friends, or as a lone traveler. Photography is ideal due to the picturesque milieu of the burial area.

Seonjeongneung Tomb can be accessed quickly via subway from Seoul or anywhere near the Korean capital city. It is close to Seolleung Station of subway Line 2. Check it out!

South of the tombs is a single T-shaped shrine of the type typically discovered at Joseon-era royal tombs.

King Seongjeong's first wife, Queen Han, died at age 18 and was entombed near Munsan, north of Seoul.

His second spouse, Queen Jeonghyeon (1462–1530), from the Yun family, was entombed here because she gave birth to the king's second son (the future King Jungjong) in 1506.

Queen Jeonghyeon had a profound faith in Buddhism and established the nearby Bongeunsa Temple.

The other burial place on the site is Jeongneung tomb. This grave is situated in the easternmost part of the area.

bongeunsa-templeDaeungjeon Hall at Bongeunsa Temple, Seoul

Brief Background

Queen Jeonghyeon's tomb was consequently built on the east side of Seolleung in 1530.

Buried in Jeongneung is King Jungjong (the 11th king of the Joseon Dynasty, reigned 1506-1544). This tomb was moved here in 1562 by Queen Munjeong (second wife of King Jungjong, 1501-1565) from its original site in Wondang, Goyang-gun, Gyeonggi Province.

Queen Jeonghyeon revealed a dream that she should be buried along with him. But this desire was never carried out. This unfulfilled dream made the king's burial place stands alone.

As Seolleung and Jeongneung were excavated during the Japanese intrusions of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty, the bodies of both Seongneung and Jeongneung could not be found in the three tombs.

Jeongneung is more uncommon as only the ashes were discovered in the tombs of King Seonjeong and Queen Junghyeon, but the bodies of the deceased in Jungjong were found.

To figure out whether or not this corpse came from King Jungjong, they conducted a study from the senior to the heads of the court.

A couple of people remembered his appearance since he had died a long time back. And it was troublesome to validate the fact that the rest of them were aged too.

The records and the dead body were different. And it was in the hot summer season when Jungjong passed away. But the reality was that the body was still intact.

Some questions have indeed been raised. Some thought that the Japanese army had kept the burial place for the sake of the deceased.

People could not quickly conclude because it might have been Jungjong's body. Eventually, Seonjo bought the body to be buried elsewhere.

bongeunsa-temple-teahouseTea House at Bongeunsa Temple that offers free cup of tea to all visitors!

Getting to Seongjeongneung Tomb

From your point of departure anywhere with the Seoul Subway line, take the subway that serves Line 2 and Bundang Line.

Get off at Seolleung Station, named after Seonjeongneung, Joseon Dynasty royal tombs Seolleung (선릉, 宣陵) and Jeongneung (정릉, 靖陵).

Seolleung Station, LINE 2, is between Yeoksam Station and Samseong Station. On the Bundang Line, Seolleung Station is also between Seonjeongneung Station and connecting with LINE 9, and Hanti Station.

Since the burial site is surrounded and within the shopping district and accessible area, you can quickly move around and see more exciting places, including Gangnam and Apgujong districts.

Useful Information to Visitors
Inquiry: +82-2-568-1291; Fax: +82-2-568-0773
Website: korean royal tombs

You can choose from the following languages on the website: Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese.

Operation Time: Open from Tuesday to Sunday except on special holidays.
Mar - Oct 06:00 - 21:00 (Last Entry 20:00)
Nov - Jan 06:30 - 17:30 (Last Entry 16:30)
Feb 06:00 - 18:00

Visitors are not allowed in after 8 PM. Only places with lights are accessible during the evening time.

Entrance Fees:
Locals from age 25-64: 1,000KRW; 800KRW for more than 10 people
Foreigners from 19-64: 1,000KRW; 800KRW for more than 10 people
Foreigners from 7-18: 500KRW; 400KRW form over 10 people

Facilities Available at the Burial Area
Baby Carriage Rentals

Guided Tour: more than 10 people will be accepted, but a reservation should be made. Phone: 02-568-1291.

Parking Area is available. From February to October, parking is allowed from 6 AM up to 9 PM only. From November to January, parking starts from 6:30 AM up to 5:30 PM only.

The parking fee is 400KRW for every five minutes. Additional 600KRW charges incur for parking over two hours per five minutes.

I hope you will visit and enjoy this historical and relaxing place within the Seoul area. Thanks for reading!

Return to Korean Royal Tombs from Seonjeongneung Tomb
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