Explore Joseon Royal Tombs: Fall 2025 'Royal Tombs Palgyeong' Program
Experience Korean history and culture with the 'Royal Tombs Palgyeong' program! This immersive one-day (approximately 8 hours) tour connects Joseon Dynasty royal tombs, palaces, and surrounding historical and cultural sites. Accompanied by expert guides, the fall 2025 program will run for 22 sessions from September 6th to November 10th.
Royal Tombs Palgyeong allows you to walk the paths of kings and queens during their visits to the royal tombs ('Neunghaeng,' the act of a Joseon king visiting the tomb of a deceased king or queen for memorial rites or to pay respects). Discover fascinating historical events and stories related to these royal journeys. The program operated with six courses in the first half of the year, attracting around 300 participants who experienced the Joseon royal tombs in various engaging ways.
This fall, in addition to the six courses offered in the first half of the year, two new courses, 'The Great Korean Empire Inspection Route' and 'Emperor Sunjong's Royal Visit Route,' have been added, bringing the total to eight. Starting on September 6th with 'Emperor Sunjong's Royal Visit Route,' which follows the path taken by Emperor Sunjong of Joseon to Donggureung and Hongneung Royal Tombs, the program will continue for approximately three months, culminating on November 10th with 'The Great Korean Empire Inspection Route,' retracing the path of Emperor Gojong as he declared the Great Korean Empire. For residents outside the Seoul metropolitan area, one session departing from Daejeon will be offered for each course.
Royal Tombs Palgyeong: 8 Courses
① <Gillye (吉禮) - Performing National Rites> Joseon Royal Family's Tomb Visit Route (Paju Samneung)
② <Chinje (親祭) - Offering Sacrifices in Person> Samjeon Tomb Visit Route (Namyangju Gwangneung)
③ <Sichwi (試取) - Holding Special Exams> King Seongjong's Tomb Visit Route (Yeoju Yeongneung)
④ <Bokwi (復位) - Becoming King Again> Danjong's Path (Yeongwol Jangneung)
⑤ <Sihe (施惠) - Bestowing Grace> King Sukjong's Tomb Visit Route (Goyang Seooreung)
⑥ <Sangeon (上言) - Listening to the People's Voices> King Jeongjo's Royal Parade Route (Hwaseong Yungneung and Geolleung)
⑦ <Bongsim (奉審) - Inspecting the Royal Tomb> The Great Korean Empire Inspection Route (Seoul Uireung)
⑧ <Gisin (忌晨) - Remembering with Heart> Emperor Sunjong's Royal Visit Route (Guri Donggureung and Namyangju Hongneung)
Each course will feature a variety of engaging experiences, including pottery crafting, a visit to the Yeongwol five-day market, mother-of-pearl lacquerware crafts inspired by royal tomb stone statues, sound therapy in the royal tomb forests, and music performances. All participants will also receive a specially crafted 'Joseon Royal Tomb Road Yut Nori' game as a souvenir.
Each session is limited to 25 participants. Reservations can be made on a first-come, first-served basis through Naver Booking (available from 11 AM on August 21st for September reservations, September 25th for October reservations, and October 16th for November reservations). The cost is ₩30,000 for adults and ₩20,000 for children/teenagers (under 18 years old). A maximum of four people can be booked per person. Seniors (65 years or older), people with disabilities, and veterans can also make reservations by phone.
For more details, please visit the website of the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center or the website of the tour operator, Travel Story Co., Ltd.
Joseon Royal Tomb Road Travel Program 'Royal Tombs Palgyeong'
Program Description: One-day experiential travel program linking Joseon royal tombs, palaces, and local cultural heritage.
Program Schedule: September 6th (Sat) ~ November 10th (Mon), 2025 / Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun 9:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM
| Category | Course Name | Visiting Locations | Operation Day | Operation Date | Application Deadline | Number of Sessions | Number of Participants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joseon Royal Family's Tomb Visit Route | <Gillye 吉禮> Performing National Rites * Sajikdan * National Palace Museum of Korea * Paju Samneung * Mother-of-Pearl Lacquerware Crafting |
Mon Sat |
September 20th (Sat) *Daejeon October 27th (Mon) |
August 21st (Thu) September 25th (Thu) |
2 | 25 | |
| 2 | Samjeon Tomb Visit Route | <Chinje 親祭> Offering Sacrifices in Person * Namyangju Gwangneung * Bongseonsa Temple (Wonchal) * Changgyeonggung Palace |
Fri Sun |
September 26th (Fri) November 2nd (Sun) |
August 21st (Thu) October 16th (Thu) |
2 | 25 | |
| 3 | King Seongjong's Tomb Visit Route | <Sichwi 試取> Holding Special Exams * Yeoju Yeongneung * Yeoju Hyanggyo * Pottery Crafting |
Fri Sat |
September 13th (Sat) *Daejeon October 31st (Fri) |
August 21st (Thu) September 25th (Thu) |
2 | 25 | |
| 4 | Danjong's Path | <Bokwi 復位> Becoming King Again * Yeongwol Cheongnyeongpo * Gwanpungheon Pavilion * Yeongwol Jangneung * Yeongwol Traditional 5-Day Market |
Fri Sun |
September 19th (Fri) October 24th (Fri) November 9th (Sun) |
August 21st (Thu) September 25th (Thu) October 16th (Thu) |
3 | 25 | |
| 5 | King Sukjong's Tomb Visit Route | <Sihe 施惠> Bestowing Grace * Gyeonghuigung Palace * Sayuksin Shrine * Goyang Seooreung * Mother-of-Pearl Lacquerware Crafting |
Fri Sat |
September 27th (Sat) *Daejeon November 7th (Fri) |
August 21st (Thu) October 16th (Thu) |
2 | 25 | |
| 6 | King Jeongjo's Royal Parade Route | <Sangeon 上言> Listening to the People's Voices * Suwon Hwaseong Fortress * Hwaseong Yungneung and Geolleung |
Mon Sun |
September 14th (Sun) October 12th (Sun) November 3rd (Mon) |
August 21st (Thu) September 25th (Thu) October 16th (Thu) |
3 | 25 | |
| 7 | The Great Korean Empire Inspection Route | <Bongsim 奉審> Inspecting the Royal Tomb * Site of Hwangudan Altar * Jongmyo Shrine * Donggwanwangmyo Shrine * Uireung |
Mon Sun |
September 7th (Sun) September 29th (Mon) October 26th (Sun) *Daejeon November 10th (Mon) |
August 21st (Thu) August 21st (Thu) September 25th (Thu) October 16th (Thu) |
4 | 25 | |
| 8 | Emperor Sunjong's Royal Visit Route | <Gisin 忌晨> Remembering with Heart * Guri Donggureung * Namyangju Hongneung |
Mon Sat |
September 6th (Sat) September 22nd (Mon) October 13th (Mon) November 1st (Sat) *Daejeon |
August 21st (Thu) August 21st (Thu) September 25th (Thu) October 16th (Thu) |
4 | 25 | |
| General Public Recruitment Event (Total) | 22 | 550 | ||||||
| Event for Socially Disadvantaged Groups (Participating organizations, dates, and courses to be determined later) |
6 | 150 | ||||||
| Total | 28 | 700 | ||||||
* Schedules and content are subject to change depending on circumstances.
Eligibility: General public (elementary school students and above)
Number of Participants: 25 per session
Participation Fee: ₩30,000 for adults / ₩20,000 for children & teenagers (under 18 years old)
- Up to 4 tickets can be booked per person.
Application Period: Varies for each travel program and date. Refer to the [Event Date Table] above.
* One session departing from outside the Seoul metropolitan area (Daejeon) is prepared for each theme.
Application Method: First-come, first-served online registration or phone registration (only for seniors aged 65 or older, people with disabilities, and veterans).
- How to access the reservation page: Royal Palaces and Tombs Center website or Travel Story Co., Ltd. website > Notice > Click on the relevant event post > Access the reservation page, enter information, and make payment.
Cancellation Policy:
* This program is a group travel program, and a refund fee will be charged in accordance with the standard terms and conditions for domestic travel.
* Standard Terms and Conditions for Domestic Travel
- Article 13 (Contract Termination Before Departure)
- Notification up to 3 days before departure: Full refund
- Notification up to 2 days before departure: 10% compensation of the fee
- Notification up to 1 day before departure: 20% compensation of the fee
- Cancellation on the day of departure or no-show without notice: 30% compensation of the fee
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