Jongmyodaeje (Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite of Joseon) (종묘대제) - Area information - Korea travel information

Jongmyodaeje (Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite of Joseon) (종묘대제)

Jongmyodaeje (Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite of Joseon) (종묘대제)

128.54910672297572m    24413     2022-10-05

157, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-3210-4806, +82-2-6011-1067

Jongmyodaeje, Korea’s Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite, is a traditional ritual that has been recognized with many important designations. It is a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 56 (Jongmyo Jerye), and Korea’s Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 1 (Jongmyo Jeryeak). The ritual is held yearly on the first Sunday of May. It begins with eogahaengnyeol, the fabulous royal parade dating from the Joseon dynasy, which is truly a sight to behold as it moves through the modern city.

Jongmyodaeje originated as a royal ancestral ritual to honor the past kings and queens of the Joseon dynasty. During the Joseon era, the ritual was held five times a year (spring, summer, autumn, winter, and December) until it was abolished by Japanese colonial rule. In 1969, Jongmyodaeje was reinstated and has been held in May every year since.

Jongmyo Shrine, the destination of the procession, was the setting of ceremonial rituals during the Joseon dynasty. Originally, Jongmyo only referred to Jeongjeon (Main Hall) where the memorial tablets of Joseon’s reigning kings and queens are enshrined. Today, however, Jongmyo also encompasses Yeongnyeongjeon (Hall of Eternal Peace) where the tablets of posthumous kings and queens are enshrined and Gongsindang (Hall of Meritorious Subjects) where the tablets of esteemed ministers of the state are kept.

Manboseong (만보성)

Manboseong (만보성)

163.21212013400773m    60     2021-03-26

53, Seosulla-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-766-8488

It is a place where you can eat a variety of Chinese dishes at reasonable prices. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is sweet and sour pork.

Jongmyo Shrine [UNESCO World Heritage] (종묘 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

Jongmyo Shrine [UNESCO World Heritage] (종묘 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

240.24608417199678m    263035     2023-11-23

157 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-765-0195

Jongmyo Shrine was the primary place of worship for kings and their queens throughout the Joseon dynasty. The compound is composed of various buildings in addition to the main hall. The shrine was built at the same time as Gyeongbokgung Palace, under the orders of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty. The shrine is the site of the royal memorial service, called Jongmyo Jaerye, a national event that has been passed down since the Three Kingdoms period. The shrine was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site on December 9, 1995, for its well-preserved ancient customs, such as memorial services and traditional music, which are designated National Intangible Cultural Asset.

During the Joseon dynasty, the ritual was held on the first month of a seasonal change and the twelfth month of the lunar year, but was stopped during the Japanese colonial period. Now, it is annually reenacted on the first Sunday of May. Jongmyo Jaeryeak, the musical part of the ceremony, is produced by instruments, songs, and dances that originated over 500 years ago.

OH!WABA (오!바바)

OH!WABA (오!바바)

241.79548917082445m    161     2021-03-19

81, Seosulla-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6083-9167

A waffle shop. The best menu at this restaurant is waffle. This is a cafe located in Jongno, Seoul.

Dolgorae Hoetjip (돌고래횟집)

Dolgorae Hoetjip (돌고래횟집)

265.2694459170676m    59     2021-03-26

101, Yulgok-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-765-3612

A great place for group dining and gatherings. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is sliced raw fish.

Goldria - Jongno 3(sam)-ga Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (골드리아 종로3가)

289.73665354713694m    1     2023-04-05

1F, 50, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Salon Sulla (살롱순라)

Salon Sulla (살롱순라)

306.9432754514579m    63     2021-03-30

75, Yulgok-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6409-0027

It is a restaurant, decorated in a hanok style, that sells Western dishes. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is pollack roe pasta.

Seosulla-gil Road (서순라길)

Seosulla-gil Road (서순라길)

313.3170755942647m    1     2023-11-23

150-3 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Seosulla-gil Road is a road that was used by the nightguards during the Joseon dynasty. The road is on the west of Jongmyo Shrine with various attractions nearby including Ikseon-dong, Insa-dong, Bukchon, and Samcheong-dong, as well as restarants, cafes, and handicraft workshops. The road is also a beautiful date course with flowers in spring and fall foliage in autumn. 

Jalppajin Memil Ikseon Branch (잘빠진메밀 익선)

316.96374640719m    196     2024-03-18

73 Yulgok-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-4531-1214

Jalppajin Memil is a specialty restaurant that directly kneads 100% buckwheat dough to make buckwheat noodles. They offer both bibim makguksu (spicy buckwheat noodles) and mul makguksu (buckwheat noodles). Additionally, they serve memil jeonbyeong (buckwheat crepe), memil mandu (buckwheat mandu), and tender suyuk (boiled pork slices). They have a selection of 10 different kinds of makgeolli (unrefined rice wine) including chestnut, citrus, corn, and mulberry, allowing customers to choose according to their preference. Their famous makgeolli sampler set, which allows customers to taste five different types of makgeolli in small quantities, is popular.

GAMMEEOK (감미옥)

GAMMEEOK (감미옥)

326.05369650649294m    3745     2021-03-18

166-1, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2269-6933

A restaurant specializing in seolleongtang (ox bone soup) for over 30 years now. The best menu at this restaurant is ox bone soup. This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.