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

1.7Km 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.

Insa Art Space (인사미술공간)

1.7Km 2021-02-26

89, Changdeokgung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-760-4722

Insa Art Space was established in 2000 to support artists who are experiencing financial difficulties. In 2005, Art Space started to develop artistic projects and in 2006, the gallery began to provide project consultations, and publishing and marketing, to develop into a stronger self-sufficient gallery. Currently, the gallery provides special exhibitions for artists and independent curators.

Samcheong-dong Street (삼청동길)

1.7Km 2025-01-22

107 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

It is said that Samcheong-dong was named from the story about the three "cheong" (Chinese character meaning clean) of the area, namely the mountain, water, and people. Another theory is that the origin of the region's name came from Samcheongjeon Hall where three tablets called "Taecheong," "Sangcheong," and "Okcheong," were set up based on Taoism. Samcheong-dong Street features a mixture of old scenes of hanok buildings with traditional beauty and modern scenes of galleries and cafés, creating a unique atmosphere. Visitors can feel the abundant cultural mood at every corner of the street through the art galleries, museums, antique shops, and quiet pathways.

Namsan Cable Car (남산 케이블카)

1.7Km 2024-10-25

83 Sopa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-2403

Namsan Cable Car provides a panoramic view of downtown Seoul. The cable car has been in operation for over 40 years, taking tourists and residents alike to Namsan Seoul Tower, one of the most representative tourist attractions in the city.

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

1.7Km 2024-07-05

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 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. During the Joseon dynasty, the ritual was held on the first month of a seasonal change and the twelfth month of the lunar year.

Mongmyeoksanbang (목멱산방)

1.7Km 2024-03-07

71, Toegye-ro, 20-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-318-4790

Situated near Namsan Mountain, Mongmyeoksanbang specializes in bibimbap. Mongmyeok is the ancient name of Namsan Mountain. Bibimbap is a bowl of rice tossed with various vegetables, meat, sesame oil, and red chili paste, making it a nutritionally balanced dish. Their dishes are made with natural seasonings and seasonal herbs gathered from Jirisan Mountain. The soybean pasete and soy sauce are also handmade, and perilla oil and sesame oil are 99.9% natural, without artificial ingredients.

Culture Station Seoul 284 (문화역 서울 284)

1.7Km 2024-12-04

1 Tongil-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Culture Station Seoul 284 opened in 2011 by restoring the old Seoul Station. The complex holds various programs including exhibitions, performances, cultural events and workshops. It holds over 100 years of history with Namdaemun Station being the original name of the station in 1900 and changing to Gyeongseong Station, Seoul Station, and now Culture Station Seoul 284. The look of 1925 Gyeongseong Station offers visitors a flashback to the past, providing a fun and special experience.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm
This is where Mok-ha (played by Park Eun-bin) waited for Ki-ho (played by Chae Jong-hyeop) with flowers in the TV series "Castaway Diva." As the restored historic Seoul Station, it also appeared in "Reply 1994" as the location where Samcheonpo (played by Kim Sung Kyun) first arrived in Seoul.

PAULIN PANCAKE - Samcheong Branch(폴인팬케이크 삼청)

1.7Km 2021-04-15

108, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-8952

This is a cafe located in Jongno, Seoul. The best menu at this restaurant is souffle pancakes. Souffle pancake is a popular dessert in Korea.

Sewoon Plaza (세운상가)

1.7Km 2024-10-25

159 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Makercity Sewoon is Korea's first comprehensive electronics market, established in 1968 and has a 40-year history. As a mecca in the urban electronics industry area located in Jongno, the center of Seoul, you can purchase various electronic products here.
Since 2014, Seoul's urban regeneration project has been underway, and a pedestrian overpass, rooftop observatory, plaza, and Makers Cube, where you can experience the 4th industrial revolution, have been created to provide unique attractions.

Jingogae (진고개)

1.7Km 2024-03-12

19-1 Chungmu-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-0955

Jingogae is a standing store that opened its doors in 1963. Its signature dish is the eobok jaengban (boiled meat slices hot pot), where thick slices of meat are stacked along with vegetables, mandu, rice cakes, and eggs, all boiled together. In addition to this, they also serve dishes such as gejang jeongsik (marinated crab set menu), gopchang jeongol (small intestine hot pot), galbitang (galbi soup), and yukgaejang (spicy beef soup). The spicy and richly seasoned yangnyeom gejang (spicy marinated crab) is also a popular menu item, which when paired with rice, enhances its flavors even further.

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