On June, 30th 2011 Korea Post released a new series of stamps. Every 2 weeks new stamps are released with a different theme. On June 30th two new stamp designs were released of King Sejong’s Royal Tomb and King Taejo’s (the founder of the Joseon Dynasty)

Stamp of King Sejong's Tomb

On June, 30th 2011 Korea Post released a new series of stamps. Every 2 weeks new stamps are released with a different theme. On June 30th two new stamp designs were released of King Sejong’s Royal Tomb and King Taejo’s (the founder of the Joseon Dynasty) Royal Tomb .

The tombs are part of 40 royal tombs which hold the bodies of dead Kings and Queens from the Joseon Dynasty. The 40 royal tombs were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in June, 2009. To find out more information about the Royal Tombs visit our Royal Tomb Page.

The cost of both stamps is 250 won. The size of the King Sejong stamp is 52mm x 36mm. The size of the King Taejo stamp is 52mm x 24mm

For more information about the stamps and new stamps that are released every fortnight check out http://www.koreastamp.go.kr/

Huireung Royal Tomb is located at Seosamneung in Korea. Huireung tomb holds the body of Queen Janggyeong. She was born in 1491 and died in 1515.  Queen Janggyeong was the second wife of King Jungjong, the 11th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty. The Queen gave birth to King Jungjong’s [...]]]>

Huireung Tomb Gate

Huireung Royal Tomb is located at Seosamneung in Korea. Huireung tomb holds the body of Queen Janggyeong. She was born in 1491 and died in 1515.  Queen Janggyeong was the second wife of King Jungjong, the 11th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty. The Queen gave birth to King Jungjong’s son, Injong (later King Injong). She died just seven days after giving birth to their son at Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Opening Hours / Admission:

March to October: 9am ~ 6:30pm
November to February: 9am ~ 5:30pm
Tickets stop going on sale 1 hour before closing time.
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:

1,000 won for adults (19 to 64)
500 won for youth (7 to 18)

How to get to Huireung Tomb:

Take line 3 to Samsong Station and leave exit 5. Take bus number 41 and get off at Seosamneung Entrance (서삼릉입구). Walk straight for 5 minutes and you will see the ticket area.

Visit the other tombs located at Seosamneung Tomb Cluster.

Seosamneung Tombs (서삼릉) are the names given to the three royal tombs (Huireung, Hyoreung & Yereung) west of Seoul. There are many other tombs at this site and in the surrounding area. The tombs are of Heomyo (deposed queen lady Yun), Hyochangwon,

Statue at Huireung Tomb

Seosamneung Tombs (서삼릉) are the names given to the three royal tombs (Huireung, Hyoreung & Yereung) west of Seoul. There are many other tombs at this site and in the surrounding area. The tombs are of Heomyo (deposed queen lady Yun), Hyochangwon, Uiryeongwon,  45 tombs for royal concubines, tombs for princes and princesses and the placenta chambers. These tombs are a short walk from the main Seosamneung site.

Huireung:
This is the royal tomb of Queen Janggyeong, 2nd wife of King Jungjong. She was born in 1491 and in 1515 died 7 days after giving birth to a son who later became King Injong. For pictures and a detailed guide to this tomb at Seosamneung, visit our Huireung tomb page.

Hyoreung:
This is the royal tomb of King Injong, the 12th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty and Queen Inseong. King Injong was born in 1515 and passed away in 1545. Queen Inseong was born in 1514 and passed away in 1577. King Injong was the shortest reigning king of the Joseon Dynasty. He served as king for only nine months. For pictures and a detailed guide to this tomb at Seosamneung, visit our Hyoreung tomb page.

Yereung:
This is the royal tomb of King Cheoljong, the 25th monarch and Queen Cheorin. King Cheoljong was born in 1831 and died in 1863. Queen Cheorin was born in 1837 and passed away in 1878. Cheoljong became King after King Honjong died without an hier. For pictures and a detailed guide to this tomb at Seosamneung, visit our Yereung tomb page.

Opening Hours / Admission:

March to October: 9am ~ 6:30pm
November to February: 9am ~ 5:30pm
Tickets stop going on sale 1 hour before closing time.
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:

1,000 won for adults (19 to 64)
500 won for youth (7 to 18)

How to get to Seosamneung Tomb:

Take line 3 to Samsong Station and leave exit 5. Take bus number 41 and get off at Seosamneung Entrance (서삼릉입구). Walk straight for 5 minutes and you will see the ticket area.

Uireung Tomb is one of the 40 royal tombs of Korea that were added to UNESCO in 2009. The tomb is of King Gyeongjong, the 20th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty and his second wife, Queen Seonui. King Gyeongjon was born in 1688 and died in 1724. Queen Seonui [...]]]>

Entrance at Uireung Tomb

Uireung Tomb is one of the 40 royal tombs of Korea that were added to UNESCO in 2009. The tomb is of King Gyeongjong, the 20th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty and his second wife, Queen Seonui. King Gyeongjon was born in 1688 and died in 1724. Queen Seonui was born in 1705 and passed away in 1730. King Gyeongjong was the child of the very unpopular Lady Jang.

King Gyeongjong ascended the throne in 1720 at the age of 33. He was so weak that he did not produce an heir. After only two months on the throne he appointed his half brother, Prince Yeoning (later King Yeongjo) as heir to handle state affairs. It is said that his mother, Lady Jang is to blame for his diseases. When Lady Jang was sentenced to death by poison, she begged to see her son the crown prince (Later King Gyeongjong). When she met him she dashed towards him and inflicted an injury to his lower abdomen.

Due to King Gyeongjong’s fragile health, he had no energy or time to do anything significant in the four years of his reign. The tomb at Uireung is quite unique as the arrangement of the tombs are different than others. Usually the tomb of the King and Queen are placed side by side however at Uireung they were arranged front to back. The area around Uireung is quite large and would be a great place to have a picnic.

Opening Hours / Admission:

March to October: 9am ~ 6:30pm
November to February: 9am ~ 5:30pm
Tickets stop going on sale 1 hour before closing time.
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:

1,000 won for adults (19 to 64)
500 won for youth (7 to 18)

How to get to Uireung Royal Tomb:

Take line 1 to Sinimun Station and leave exit 1. Walk for 15 minutes. Follow the map below.
Take line 6 to Dolgoji Station and leave exit 7 and walk for 15 minutes. Follow the map below.
Alternatively at Dolgoji station go out exit 7 and take bus 120, 147, 261 or 1222. Get off at Uireung Entrance (의릉입구) about 5 minutes.

Sugyeongwom Tomb located at Seooreung Tombs is a Won type tomb. Won means it was built to hold the Crown Prince / Princess or the King’s parents. Sugyeongwon Tomb holds the body of the royal concubine Lady Yeongbin Yi. She was the concubine of the 21st monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, King Yeongjo. Lady Yeongbin Yi [...]]]>

Sugyeongwon Tomb

Sugyeongwom Tomb located at Seooreung Tombs is a Won type tomb. Won means it was built to hold the Crown Prince / Princess or the King’s parents. Sugyeongwon Tomb holds the body of the royal concubine Lady Yeongbin Yi. She was the concubine of the 21st monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, King Yeongjo. Lady Yeongbin Yi was born in 1696 and passed away in 1764. She bore 4 children for King Yeongjo. Three daughters and one son who later became the Crown Prince Sado.

The tomb of Lady Yeongbin Yi was originally located in Yonsei University in Sinchon, Seoul. The tomb was moved to it’s current location in June, 1968.

The tomb is very basic and has no worship road or shrine. Also the tomb is not located on a hill top like other tombs.

Opening Hours / Admission:

March to October: 6am ~ 6:30pm
November to February: 6:30am ~ 4:30pm
Tickets stop going on sale 1 hour before closing time.
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:

1,000 won for adults (19 to 64)
500 won for youth (7 to 18)

How to get to Sugyeongwom tomb at Seooreung Royal Tombs:

Take line 3 to Nokbeon Station and leave exit 4. Walk straight for about 100 metres and there will be two bus stops on your left. Get on bus 9701 (Red) or Bus 702A (Blue, make sure its is A). Get off at Seooreung Entrance(서오릉입구).
You can also get bus 9701 (Red) from Gusan station line 6 exit 1.
When you get off at the bus stop take the first right and head straight. You will then see the Seooreung Tomb Entrance.

Visit the other tombs at Seooreung.

Sunchangwaon tomb located at Seooreung Tombs is a Won type tomb. Won means it was built to hold the Crown Prince / Princess or the King’s parents. Sunchangwon holds the bodies of Crown Prince Sunhoe (1551 – 1563) and his wife Crown Princess Gonghoebin (? – 1592) from the Yun Family. Crown Prince Sunhoe was the [...]]]>

Sunchangwon Tomb at Seooreung tombs

Sunchangwaon tomb located at Seooreung Tombs is a Won type tomb. Won means it was built to hold the Crown Prince / Princess or the King’s parents. Sunchangwon holds the bodies of Crown Prince Sunhoe (1551 – 1563) and his wife Crown Princess Gonghoebin (? – 1592) from the Yun Family. Crown Prince Sunhoe was the son of the 13th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Myeongjong. Crwon Prince Sunhoe died at the age 13 without an heir to the throne.

Opening Hours / Admission:

March to October: 6am ~ 6:30pm
November to February: 6:30am ~ 4:30pm
Tickets stop going on sale 1 hour before closing time.
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:

1,000 won for adults (19 to 64)
500 won for youth (7 to 18)

How to get to Sunchangwon tomb at Seooreung Royal Tombs:

Take line 3 to Nokbeon Station and leave exit 4. Walk straight for about 100 metres and there will be two bus stops on your left. Get on bus 9701 (Red) or Bus 702A (Blue, make sure its is A). Get off at Seooreung Entrance(서오릉입구).
You can also get bus 9701 (Red) from Gusan station line 6 exit 1.
When you get off at the bus stop take the first right and head straight. You will then see the Seooreung Tomb Entrance.

Visit the other tombs at Seooreung.

Hongneung tomb is located at the Seeoreung tomb site. Hongneung tomb is made up of the tomb of Queen Jeongseong. Queen Jeongseong was born in 1692 and passed away in 1757. She was the wife of the 21st monarch of the Joseon dynasty, King Yeongjo. Queen Jeongseong was married at age 10 to King Yeongjo [...]]]>

Shrine at Hongneung Tomb

Hongneung tomb is located at the Seeoreung tomb site. Hongneung tomb is made up of the tomb of Queen Jeongseong. Queen Jeongseong was born in 1692 and passed away in 1757. She was the wife of the 21st monarch of the Joseon dynasty, King Yeongjo. Queen Jeongseong was married at age 10 to King Yeongjo who was aged 8. King Yeongjo expressed his gratitude to Queen Jeongseong, saying that she always welcomed him with a smiling face during her entire 43 years of royal residency and was fully devoted to her superiors. Queen Jeongseong died at age 66 in Changdeok Palace, leaving no children.

Hongneung tomb was built in 1757 to hold the body of Queen Jeongseong. The memorial ceremony is held every year on April the 3rd.

Opening Hours / Admission:

March to October: 6am ~ 6:30pm
November to February: 6:30am ~ 4:30pm
Tickets stop going on sale 1 hour before closing time.
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:

1,000 won for adults (19 to 64)
500 won for youth (7 to 18)

How to get to Hongneung Tomb at Seooreung Royal Tombs:

Take line 3 to Nokbeon Station and leave exit 4. Walk straight for about 100 metres and there will be two bus stops on your left. Get on bus 9701 (Red) or Bus 702A (Blue, make sure its is A). Get off at Seooreung Entrance(서오릉입구).
You can also get bus 9701 (Red) from Gusan station line 6 exit 1.
When you get off at the bus stop take the first right and head straight. You will then see the Seooreung Tomb Entrance.

Visit the other tombs at Seooreung.

Ingneung tomb is located at the Seeoreung tomb site. Ingneung tomb is the tomb of Queen Ingyeong. She was the first wife of King Sukjong, the 19th monarch of the Joseon dynasty.  She became the crown princess in 1671 at the age of 11 after marrying prince Sukjong. She then became Queen Ingyeong when her [...]]]>

Ingneung Tomb Entrance

Ingneung tomb is located at the Seeoreung tomb site. Ingneung tomb is the tomb of Queen Ingyeong. She was the first wife of King Sukjong, the 19th monarch of the Joseon dynasty.  She became the crown princess in 1671 at the age of 11 after marrying prince Sukjong. She then became Queen Ingyeong when her husband became King. She died at the age of 20 from small pox at Gyeonghuigung Palace. She had three princesses but all three of them (Princess Myeongsun, Myeonghye and Myeongan) did not live long.

Ingneung tomb was built in 1681. The memorial rites are held every year on November 1st.

Opening Hours / Admission:

March to October: 6am ~ 6:30pm
November to February: 6:30am ~ 4:30pm
Tickets stop going on sale 1 hour before closing time.
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:

1,000 won for adults (19 to 64)
500 won for youth (7 to 18)

How to get to Ingneung Tomb at Seooreung Royal Tombs:

Take line 3 to Nokbeon Station and leave exit 4. Walk straight for about 100 metres and there will be two bus stops on your left. Get on bus 9701 (Red) or Bus 702A (Blue, make sure its is A). Get off at Seooreung Entrance(서오릉입구).
You can also get bus 9701 (Red) from Gusan station line 6 exit 1.
When you get off at the bus stop take the first right and head straight. You will then see the Seooreung Tomb Entrance.

Visit the other tombs at Seooreung.

Myeongneung tomb is located at the Seeoreung tomb site. Myeongneung tomb is made up of three tombs. The tomb of King Sukjong, Queen Inhyeon and Queen Inwon. King Sukjong was born in 1674 and died in 1729. He was the 19th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty. He ruled for 46 years and accomplished many things [...]]]>

Worship road leading to Myeongneung Tomb

Myeongneung tomb is located at the Seeoreung tomb site. Myeongneung tomb is made up of three tombs. The tomb of King Sukjong, Queen Inhyeon and Queen Inwon. King Sukjong was born in 1674 and died in 1729. He was the 19th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty. He ruled for 46 years and accomplished many things during his reign. King Sukjong’s reign was filled with the greatest turbulence in political power in the history of the Joseon Dynasty and fierce competition was under way among political factions. However, King Sukjong strengthened royal powers and almost completed the work to restore and improve the overall social systems

He was married three times during his life to Queen Ingyeong (First Wife, 1661-1680 ), Queen Inhyeon (Second wife, 1167 – 1701) and Queen Inwon (Third Wife 1687 – 1757). King Sukjong is buried in a twin tomb with his second wife Queen Inhyeon. Queen Inwon (Third Wife) is buried on the adjacent hill. His first wife Queen Ingyeong is buried separately at Seooreung tombs.

Myeongneung tomb is located across the road from the main entrance to Seooreung tombs. The tomb is located in an area with lots of space and has a long worship road leading up to the T-shaped Shrine. At Myeongneung tombs, you are able to climb the hill and look at the tombs up close and take in the great view of the surrounding area.

Myeongneung tomb was built in 1701 to bury Queen Inhyeon. King Sukjong was added in 1720 followed by Queen Inwon in 1757. The memorial rites for Myeongneung tomb are held every year on May 13th.

Opening Hours / Admission:

March to October: 6am ~ 6:30pm
November to February: 6:30am ~ 4:30pm
Tickets stop going on sale 1 hour before closing time.
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:

1,000 won for adults (19 to 64)
500 won for youth (7 to 18)

How to get to Myeongneung Tomb at Seooreung Royal Tombs:

Take line 3 to Nokbeon Station and leave exit 4. Walk straight for about 100 metres and there will be two bus stops on your left. Get on bus 9701 (Red) or Bus 702A (Blue, make sure its is A). Get off at Seooreung Entrance(서오릉입구).
You can also get bus 9701 (Red) from Gusan station line 6 exit 1.
When you get off at the bus stop take the first right and head straight. You will then see the Seooreung Tomb Entrance.

Visit the other tombs at Seooreung.

Gyeongneung tomb is located at the Seeoreung tomb site. Gyeongneung tomb is made up of two tombs. The tomb of King Deokjong and Queen Sohye. King Sejo was the 7th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty. He was born in 1438 and passed away in 1457. In King Sejo’s lifetime he wasn’t given the title of [...]]]>

Shrine at Gyeongneung Tomb

Gyeongneung tomb is located at the Seeoreung tomb site. Gyeongneung tomb is made up of two tombs. The tomb of King Deokjong and Queen Sohye. King Sejo was the 7th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty. He was born in 1438 and passed away in 1457. In King Sejo’s lifetime he wasn’t given the title of King Sejo. He passed away at the age of 19 as a crown prince. When his second son (King Seongjong) became King, he gave his father and mother (Sohye) the tittle of King and Queen.

Queen Sohye was from the Han family and was born in 1437 and passed away in 1504. She married the crown prince Sejo in 1455 and gave birth to two sons, Wolsan and Seongjong. Queen Sohye was very clever and promoted Instructions for Women to teach them etiquette and translated Buddhist sutras from Chinese to Korean. She wrote a book called Naehun.

For a look at the life during the Joseon Dynasty watch the Korean Drama, “The King and I” it is a South Korean historical drama about a man who serves the Kings of Joseon. He serves Queen Sohye’s son, King Seongjong and Queen Sohye also makes an appearance.

The tomb was built in 1457 for crown price Uigyeong (Later King Sejo) and the tomb was upgraded to a Kng’s tomb by King Seongjong named “Gyeongneung” in 1472. Queen Sohye was buried on the adjacent hill in 1504.

Every year on September 20th there is a ceremony for the memorial rites of Gyeongneung tombs.

Unfortunately like other royal tombs in Korea there is a fence blocking off access. You are still able to get great views of the tomb and Shrine located at the tomb.

Opening Hours / Admission:

March to October: 6am ~ 6:30pm
November to February: 6:30am ~ 4:30pm
Tickets stop going on sale 1 hour before closing time.
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:

1,000 won for adults (19 to 64)
500 won for youth (7 to 18)

How to get to Gyeongneung Tomb at Seooreung Royal Tombs:

Take line 3 to Nokbeon Station and leave exit 4. Walk straight for about 100 metres and there will be two bus stops on your left. Get on bus 9701 (Red) or Bus 702A (Blue, make sure its is A). Get off at Seooreung Entrance(서오릉입구).
You can also get bus 9701 (Red) from Gusan station line 6 exit 1.
When you get off at the bus stop take the first right and head straight. You will then see the Seooreung Tomb Entrance.

Visit the other tombs at Seooreung.