Jongmyo Royal Shrine, Seoul

Jongmyo Royal Shrine is the most authentic and oldest surviving Confucian royal ancestral shrine in East Asia. Constructed soon after King Taejo moved the capital to Hanyang in the late 14th century, the shrine houses memorial tablets for deceased kings and queens of the Joseon dynasty and remains remarkably preserved in its original layout dating back to the early 1600s. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, Jongmyo offers visitors an opportunity to step into a solemn and sacred space dedicated to centuries of royal tradition.

The longest wooden structure in Korea, the Main Hall stretches nearly 109 m and contains 19 niches-each memorial tablet representing a king and his queen. Adjacent to it, Yeongnyeongjeon Hall holds additional tablets for long-lived or interim monarchs. Built according to strict Confucian principles, the complex also includes supportive facilities like ritual utensil storage and commemorative altars, all arranged within reverent courtyards surrounded by quiet forested grounds.

Once a year-on the first Sunday in May-the shrine becomes the site of the Royal Ancestral Rite, a living cultural ceremony that combines court music, dance, and ritual worship. This event has been faithfully observed for over 500 years and is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For many visitors, joining a guided tour during visiting hours is the best way to learn about these deep-rooted royal rituals and architectural symbolism.

Jongmyo Shrine also offers a peaceful retreat from the surrounding urban energy. Its adjacent Stonewall Path is a tranquil walkway hugging the shrine’s western wall, leading through traditional hanok cafés and craft studios.