Right in the middle of busy Jongno sits one of the calmest places in Seoul. Jongmyo Shrine is where the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) are honored, and it was one of the very first places in Korea to join the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. If you want to feel the soul of old Seoul without the palace crowds, this is the place.
Why Jongmyo Shrine is worth visiting
Jongmyo was founded in 1395, right after the Joseon capital moved to Hanyang (today's Seoul). It holds the spirit tablets of the Joseon kings and queens. Its main hall, Jeongjeon, is about 101 meters long and is often called one of the longest single wooden buildings of its kind in the world. Its long, simple rows of red columns are a masterpiece of Confucian architecture.
After a five-year restoration, the royal tablets were ceremonially returned to Jeongjeon in April 2025, so the hall is fully open again. The royal ancestral ritual, Jongmyo Jerye, and its court music are also listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Highlights not to miss
- Jeongjeon (Main Hall) and its huge stone courtyard
- Yeongnyeongjeon, the Hall of Eternal Peace
- The raised stone 'spirit path' (please don't walk on the center lane)
- Royal ritual kitchens and wells
- The footbridge that connects to Changgyeonggung Palace
Photo: Bgag / CC0 / via Wikimedia Commons
Visitor information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 157 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 종로 157) |
| Opening hours | About 09:00–18:00 (to 17:30 in winter); last entry 1 hour before closing |
| Closed | Every Tuesday |
| Admission | Adults KRW 1,000; free for visitors in hanbok and on the last Wednesday of each month (Culture Day) |
| Weekdays | Usually guided-tour-only, with English tours a few times a day; weekends and holidays are free self-guided |
Tip: rules on age discounts and English tour times change from time to time, so check the official Jongmyo website (jm.khs.go.kr) before you go.
How to get to Jongmyo Shrine from Seoul
By subway (easiest)
- Take Line 1, 3 or 5 to Jongno 3-ga Station (종로3가역).
- Line 1: use Exit 11. Lines 3 and 5: use Exit 8.
- Walk east about 5 minutes along Jong-ro to the main gate.
- From Seoul Station: Line 1 directly to Jongno 3-ga, about 10 minutes.
- Fare: about KRW 1,550 with a T-money card.
By city bus
Many blue buses along Jong-ro stop at 'Jongno 4-ga, Jongmyo' (종로4가·종묘), right across from the entrance. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap to find the best bus from where you are staying.
Photo: Bgag / CC0 / via Wikimedia Commons
Where to eat near Jongmyo Shrine
Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's oldest markets, is only a 10–15 minute walk east. It is famous for food stalls that appeared on Netflix's Street Food: Asia.
- Soonhee-ne Bindaetteok (순희네빈대떡): crispy mung bean pancakes fried to order. Great with makgeolli rice wine.
- Gohyang Kalguksu (고향칼국수): handmade knife-cut noodle soup and kimchi dumplings.
- Buchon Yukhoe (부촌육회): Korean beef tartare with egg yolk and pear, a Michelin Bib Gourmand favorite since 1965.
- Ikseon-dong Hanok Street (익선동 한옥거리): a 5–10 minute walk west, full of hanok cafes, bakeries and Korean fusion restaurants.
Travel tips
- Want to explore freely? Go on a weekend or public holiday.
- Rent a hanbok nearby in Ikseon-dong or Insadong for free entry and great photos.
- Combine Jongmyo with Changgyeonggung Palace, then finish with street food at Gwangjang Market.
- Late October to early November brings beautiful autumn colors along the forest paths.
- The Grand Ancestral Rite (Jongmyo Daeje) is held on the first Sunday of May.
Photo: Korea Heritage Service (국가유산청) / KOGL Type 1 / via Wikimedia Commons
FAQ
Q. Is Jongmyo Shrine closed on Tuesdays?
A. Yes. Jongmyo is closed every Tuesday.
Q. Do I need a guided tour to enter Jongmyo?
A. On most weekdays entry is by guided tour only. On weekends and public holidays you can explore on your own.
Q. What is the nearest subway station to Jongmyo?
A. Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3 and 5). Use Exit 11 (Line 1) or Exit 8 (Lines 3 and 5).
Featured image: Jeongjeon main hall of Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul in summer. Photo: Korea Heritage Service (국가유산청) / KOGL Type 1 / via Wikimedia Commons
Sources
- Seoul Media Hub – Jongmyo visitor tips
- Seoul Media Hub – Jongmyo 2026 viewing changes
- Korea JoongAng Daily – Jeongjeon reopens after restoration
- Trazy – Jongmyo Shrine
Opening hours, fares and prices can change. Please check official websites before you travel. Information as of October 2026.
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