Jongmyo Shirne, Secret Garden & Unhyungung Palace

14:00 – 18:00 US$74 KD08 Jongmyo Shrine Jongmyo Shrine – Secret Garden – Unhyungung Palace

Jongmyodaeje, Koreas Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite, is a traditional ritual

that has been recognized with many important designations. It is an

UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 56 (Jongmyo Jerye), and Koreas Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 1 (Jongmyo Jeryeak). The ritual is held yearly on the first Sunday of May. It begins with eogahaengnyeol (어가

행렬), the fabulous royal parade dating from the Joseon Dynasy, which is truly a sight to behold as it moves through the modern city.

Changdeokgung’s rear garden was constructed during the reign of King

Taejong and served as a resting place for the royal family members. The

garden had formerly been called Bukwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon after King Kojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when

the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.

Unhyeongung Royal Residence was the home of young Gojong, who later became Emperor during the Joseon Dynasty. Under the orders of Queen Mother Jo, Unhyeongung was renovated into a grand, palace-like house with four gates. Gojongs father, Yi Haeung, or better known as Heungseon

Daewongun, continued to live at Unhyeongung for most of his life. Damaged during the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War, the Unhyeongung Royal Residence seen today is a much smaller version of the majestic structure that it used to be.