Jongmyo is the shrine where the spirit tablets of the Joseon kings and queens are kept and honored. It was built without ornament, and that restraint is exactly what makes it so powerful. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Highlights
- Jeongjeon — the main hall, a row of chambers stretching on and on under one long roof. One of the most impressive buildings in Korea.
- Yeongnyeongjeon — a second shrine for kings and queens not housed in the main hall.
The royal ancestral rite
The Jongmyo Jerye ritual and its court music are still performed today, and are listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. If your trip falls on a ceremony day, it is a rare chance to see a royal rite from centuries ago.