Jongmyo Shrine [UNESCO World Heritage]

Jongmyo Shrine is Korea's oldest and most revered royal ancestral temple, housing wooden tablets of deceased Joseon kings and queens. Built in 1395 during the early Joseon dynasty, the site exemplifies Korean ritual architecture and Confucian state ideology. The expansive grounds feature serene courtyards, stone pathways, and rows of ancestral halls set among mature trees. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, it remains an active place of worship where traditional memorial rites are performed on specified dates. Visitors can walk the peaceful pathways and observe the architectural details that reflect centuries of Korean royal history and spiritual practice.