Jongmyo Shrine (Seoul, South Korea)

Jongmyo Shrine is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Jongmyo Shrine is Historic Site Number 125

Jeongjeon (main hall) is National Treasure no 227. It is the location of the memorial tablets of 19 Joseon kings and queens. At 109 meters (357 feet) in length, the building is said be the longest single wooden structure in the world. The picture is below.

Yeongnyeongjeon is Treasure number 821

Jongmyo is a Confucian shrine dedicated to memorial services for the deceased kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). Jongmyo Shrine was built by Lee Seong Gye (1335-1408), the first king and founding father of the Joseon Dynasty. It was a primary place of worship for kings throughout the Joseon Dynasty.

There is a 3-forked path of slightly raised roads that starts in front of the main gate. The middle path is in honor of kings of the past. The road leads to Jeongjeon where mortuary tablets of kings are preserved and memorial services are held. Jeongjeon has 19 rooms honoring 19 kings.

The east road is for the living king and the west is for the living prince. These paths connect to a room where the king and prince used to go for ceremonial cleansing and to prepare for memorial services. After they were prepared they moved into Jeonsacheong, a square shaped room with a yard where the food for the service was prepared.

Pictures:

https://plus.google.com/photos/106518880659515557565/albums/6056273409926863489

How to Get there: Jongno-3(sam)-ga Station (Subway Line 1), Exit 11
10-min walk from station.
Jongno-3(sam)-ga Station (Subway Line 3, 5), Exit 8.
10-min walk from station.

Closed on Tuesdays

Visitors may only enter on a guided tour (except Saturdays)

Admission: 1,000 won

Tour Schedule:

[General Tour]
Tour times vary according to interpretation services.
(* Available in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

[Free Tour]
Feb-May, Sep-Oct 09:00-18:00
Jun-Aug 09:00-18:30
Nov-Jan 09:00~17:30
(Free tours available on Saturdays only.)

Tour Length: 1 hour

Tapgol Park (Seoul, South Korea)

Tapgol park was the first modern park built in Seoul. It is also known as Pagoda park. The park was once the site of a Buddhist temple called Wongaksa. The 10 story Wongaksa Pagoda (National Treasure #2) is located in the park.

Tapgol Park was the site of the March 1st Movement in 1919. This was the first location where the Proclamation of Independence was read. There are some monuments in the park relating to that event. You can also read the Proclamation of Independence.

Tapgol Park is Historical site No.354.

Palgakjeong Pavilion: Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No.73

Palgakjeon Pavilion

Wongaksa Pagoda (National Treasure #2)

More Pictures:

https://plus.google.com/photos/106518880659515557565/albums/6056272451615326097

How to get there: Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station (Subway Line 1, 3, 5), Exit 1

Open year round

Admission: Free

Hours: 6am-8pm