Heolleung and Illeung Royal Tombs

Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty

A total of 27 monarchs ruled Korea during the 518-year Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) and 42 units of tombs of kings and queens have been preserved until today. Except Jereung (제릉) and Hureung (후릉) which are located in North Korea, 40 units are scattered in and around Seoul. Those 40 units in South Korea were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009.

The national governing ideology of the Joseon Kingdom was Confucianism and ancestor worship was one of the most important confucian practices. Therefore, the burial sites for deceased kings and queens were carefully chosen based on the law book and geomancy and kings held a memorial service to pay tribute to their ancestors.

Heolleung and Illeung

Heonilleung which houses Heonleung and Inleung is located in the south of Seoul. Heonleung has twin mounds of King Taejong, the third king of the Joseon Dynasty, and his consort Queen Wongyeong. Inleung has one mound for King Soonjo, the 23rd king, and his consort Queen Soonwon. Mt. Daemo at the back of the tombs protects this sacred place and the stone figures of tigers, sheep, civil officials, military officials, and horses guard the mounds.

The red gate is a threshold to the sacred area.

The path has two lanes: the one for the spirit and the other for the living king.

A memorial service was held in the jeonjagak (정자각) building.

This is Inleung.

This is Heonleung.

The site also features a landscaped walking trail and a small alder tree forest.

Heolleung and Illeung Royal Tombs
Website : http://english.cha.go.kr
Address : 36-10 Heonilleung-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Operating Hours : Feb~May/Sep~Oct 09:00~18:00, Jun~Aug 09:00~18:30, Nov~Jan 09:00~17:30, Closed on Monday
Admission Fee: Adult (ages 19+) 1,000 won, Youth (ages 7~18) 500 won
Telephone: 02-445-0347