The situation at Jongmyo Shrine not shown on the map
It is considered the essence of Korean culture and the Confucian culture of the Joseon Dynasty. Jongmyo is a Confucian shrine located in Hunjeong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The shrine is dedicated to the royal family of the Joseon Dynasty and the imperial family of the Korean Empire, where the souls of former kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty and revered kings and queens are kept. The total area of Jongmyo is 186,786 ㎡.
The term ‘Jongmyosajik’ represents one of the most iconic buildings of the royal family and the country during the Joseon Dynasty. It was declared a national historic site on January 18, 1963, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Therefore, visiting Jongmyo is a must-do when traveling to Seoul. Moreover, due to its central location, it is easily accessible and can be visited along with Gyeongbokgung Palace during a trip to Seoul.
Therefore, it is recommended to visit Jongmyo Shrine when travelling to Seoul.
However, there is also a reason why you should not visit Jongmyo Shrine until 2025. This is because Jeongjeon, the heart of Jongmyo Shrine, is currently undergoing renovation, which is scheduled to last until at least the second half of 2024. The construction period has already been extended more than twice, so it is unlikely that the repair work will be completed within 2024. In the autumn of 2023, I visited Jongmyo Shrine and asked the tour director directly. The director said that although it is currently known that construction will officially end in the second half of 2024, based on the current situation, repairs will continue until at least the spring of 2025.
Regarding the current power outage, maintenance work has left the entire section covered by a screen. While guided tours are available, it is currently impossible to view the core buildings. This situation is like being in Athens and not being able to see the Parthenon.
If you still want to go to Jongmyo or are planning to go there after construction is completed in 2025, find out everything I wrote about Jongmyo through the link below.
So what is the alternative?
Where else can we go besides Jongmyo Shrine? As it is situated in the heart of old Seoul, there are numerous historical buildings in the surrounding area. The royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, Changdeokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace, are just a 10-minute walk away from Jongmyo Shrine. These palaces are some of Korea’s oldest and most beautiful remaining royal structures, and are a must-visit on any trip to Seoul.
I also recommend for you to go to the Hyehwa Station. Which is in 15 minutes by taking a bus in front of Jongmyo 3-ga Station in front of Jongmyo Shrine. The fastest way to get from Jongmyo to Hyehwa Station is by bus, or you can also take the subway, but since you have to transfer once, I recommend the bus. Bus numbers 140, 150, 160, or 273 will take you there in 15 minutes.
Once you arrive at Hyehwa Station, there are many things to see. Hyehwa Station is a popular spot for Korean college students and office workers to gather and socialize, making it less of a tourist attraction compared to Itaewon. The downtown area of Hyehwa Station, also known as ‘Daehakro'(Daehak Means University in Korean, and ‘Ro’ means street in Korean), is home to many large universities, making it a frequent destination for nearby college students. The main attraction of Hyehwa Station is watching plays. Hyehwa Station is renowned for its plays and theaters, and has served as a launching pad for many Korean actors’ careers.
If you are curious about 10 things to see at Hyehwa Station, please follow the link below.
So, through this article, I hope that you will not be disappointed when you go to Jongmyo Shrine. Thanks for reading.