Skip Navigation

home >FAQ >FAQ

FAQ

Are royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty situated only in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province?

Are royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty situated only in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province?

  • The location of a Joseon royal tomb site was determined by the distance from the capital city of Hanyang and its surrounding areas, the condition of roads, boundaries, and the harmony with the surrounding landscape or the principles of pungsu (feng shui).
  • During the early Joseon period, it was prohibited by regulations to develop a tomb site within a four-kilometer radius of the city boundaries of Hanyang and within 100 paces, or about 120 meters from village homes. In the late Joseon, a burial was banned within a distance of about 40-kilometer from Hanyang and within 50 paces, or about 60 meters from village homes. 
  • Most of the remaining Joseon royal tombs are located in Seoul and the Gyeonggi-do area, including Goyang-si, Gwangmyeong-si, Namyangju-si, Guri-si, Paju-si, Hwaseong-si, and Gimpo-si. 
  • Taereung Royal TombHowever, some royal tombs are situated outside Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province. The royal tomb of King Danjong, called Jangreung, is in the Yeongwol-gun area, Gangwon-do Province, and the Jungyeongmyo and Yeonggyeongmyo royal tombs of King Taejo’s ancestors are located in the Samcheok-gun area in Gangwon-do Province. Ten royal tomb sites, including those of posthumously designated kings, are situated in North Korea.