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

1.8Km 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.

Daepo Jjimdak - Daehangno Branch (대포찜닭 대학로)

1.8Km 2021-03-19

18, Daehak-ro, 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-6669

This is a Korean cuisine located in Daehak-ro, Seoul. The best menu at this restaurant is braised chicken. A restaurant that's popular among college students.

Mijin (미진)

1.8Km 2024-03-06

19 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-1954

Mijin is a Korean-style cold buckwheat noodle restaurant located near Gwanghwamun, specializing in Korean-style naeng memilguksu (cold buckwheat noodles). They offer a broth that is richer in flavor compared to Japanese soba bonito soy sauce, along with chewier buckwheat noodles. The restaurant produces the broth and noodles in-house and serves them directly to customers. The cold broth and buckwheat noodles condiments can be adjusted according to preference. Another popular menu is the memil jeonbyeong (buckwheat crepe) filled with bean sprouts, bean curd, aged kimchi, and ground pork.

Dongdaemun Heopajip (동대문허파집)

1.8Km 2021-03-19

26, Jong-ro, 17-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-4445-7672

A barbecue specialty restaurant located in Tapgol Park, Seoul. A store that uses only Korean beef. The most famous menu is grilled beef small intestine/grilled pork small intestine.

Dolgorae Hoetjip (돌고래횟집)

1.8Km 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.

Hottracks - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (핫트랙스 광화문점)

1.8Km 2024-04-23

1, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Korea Furniture Museum (한국가구박물관)

1.8Km 2024-10-29

121 Daesagwan-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

The Korea Furniture Museum, located on a hill in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, is a special museum that displays items related to Korea's traditional living culture. The museum exhibits wooden furniture made in the late Joseon dynasty by material (persimmon tree, maple tree, paulownia tree, zelkova tree, pine tree, papers, etc.), by the type of space (men’s quarters, women’s quarters, kitchen, etc.), and by regional characteristics. It also exhibits interior decorations, flower walls, chimneys, and yards, as well as ten traditional Korean houses.
This museum operates through a guided tour (maximum of 20 people per group) only, suitable for showing Korea's housing culture that harmonizes furniture and nature. The old household items, “furniture,” are displayed in rooms outside glass storage boxes, allowing visitors to experience a beautiful traditional culture.
Since it was selected as the official luncheon venue for the spouses of leaders of 20 countries at the 2010 G20 Seoul Summit, there has been a steady stream of state guests and worldwide celebrities, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, the German President, the Prime Minister of Hungary, the Prime Minister of Singapore, the King and Queen of Belgium, the King of Sweden, the head of the IMF, and movie stars Brad Pitt, and Victoria Beckham.

In addition, it was selected as the "most beautiful museum in Seoul” by CNN in 2011. The museum also served as an interview location for BTS members, who are receiving global attention. As such, it is attracting attention as a representative tourist destination in Seoul and a cultural space preferred by government ministries and companies. Tours require reservations, which can be made through the website.

Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun (교보문고)

1.8Km 2024-12-04

1 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
02-3295-0312

Kyobo Book Centre is the first large-scale bookstore in Korea, and this particular store can be found next to Gwanghwamun Square. Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun divides its internal area into 11 sections and organizes them in a way that allows readers to find books easily. The store also has specialized shops for stationery, digital devices, and accessories, as well as exhibition spaces and cafés.

Dakgopsae (닭곱새)

1.8Km 2021-03-19

7, Jong-ro 5gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6226-8220

This Korean cuisine is located near Jonggak Station, Seoul. The representative menu is chicken, beef small intestine and shrimp hot pot. A restaurant where chicken, intestine, and shrimp are fried and served with spicy sauce.

New Balance - Daehangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (뉴발란스 대학로점)

1.8Km 2024-04-16

133-2, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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