Temples & religious sites
Jongmyo
Jongmyo Shrine
Jongmyo is a Confucian shrine in Seoul dedicated to the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. It serves as the site where memorial tablets are enshrined and ancestral rites are performed. Travelers visit this site to see the traditional architecture of the shrine buildings and the layout of the ritual grounds.
Getting there from the city center depends on your starting point, but it is centrally located in the Jongno district. Using the Seoul subway or bus system, most visitors can reach the area within 20 to 40 minutes from major hubs like Myeong-dong or Seoul Station.
Planning Your Visit
Allow approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to walk through the grounds and view the main halls. The site is expansive, and the pace of the visit is generally slow due to the nature of the shrine.
The shrine is accessible throughout the year. It can get crowded during public holidays and weekends. Visiting during the early morning or late afternoon typically offers a quieter experience.
Nearby Attractions
Because of its location, this site can be combined with other historical landmarks in the vicinity. The following attractions are within walking distance:
- Changgyeonggung: 0.5km
- Changdeokgung: 0.6km
- Wongaksa Pagoda: 0.6km
- Unhyeongung: 0.6km
Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors