Introduction

The royal tomb named Yeongneung where the Great King Sejong, the fourth king of Joseon (r. 1418–1450), and his consort, Queen Soheon, are buried together. King Sejong was the greatest and wisest monarch in the history of Korea, creating hangeul, inventing scientific instruments, such as the rain gauge and sundial. He is also known for arranging royal music scores, conquering the outlaws in the north to expand the country’s frontier, and subjugating Tsushima Island to stabilize national defenses. He prioritized academic values, fostering scholars and renovating the print system to publish countless books, including Yongbieocheonga (Song of Dragons Flying in Heaven) and Nongsa Jikseol (Farmer’s Handbook). The tomb is a great example of the burial system of the Joseon dynasty, with two tombstones that show that it is a combined burial site, stone rails along the perimeter of the graves, and the 12 zodiac signs written with letters on the 12 stones.

At the center of the tomb is an octagonal stone lantern. Around it are stone sheep, tigers, horses, scholars, soldiers, and posts. Low fences are placed around the back of the tomb. Below the tomb is a T-shaped structure for ancestral rites, suragan, which is the royal kitchen that prepares the food for the rite, subokbang, where the grave keepers live; at the east of the T-shaped structure, stele and headstone have been placed. Recovered versions of various scientific instruments, such as the sundial, clepsydra, observatory, rain gauge, and celestial globe, are placed at the left after the main gate. At Sejongjeon, a wide range of relics and data related to King Sejong’s achievements are exhibited to be utilized for academic purposes.

Information for Visitors

• Location 269-50 Yeongneung-ro, Sejongdaewang-myeon, Yeoju-si
• Contact +82-31-885-3123
• Website

  https://sejong.cha.go.kr/

• Open

  Information for visitors - feb-may /sep.-oct , jun-aug, Nov -jan

  Feb. - May / Sep. - Oct		Jun. - Aug.		Nov. - Jan.
  Ticket Office	Open	Ticket Office	Open	Ticket Office	Open
  9AM - 5PM	9AM - 6PM	9AM - 5:30PM	9AM - 6:30PM	9AM - 4:30PM	9AM - 5:30PM

  warning Regular holidays: Every Monday

  warning Free admission: Culture Day (every last Wednesday of the month)

• Admission

  Admission --, Individuals, Groups(10 or more)

  -	Individuals	Groups (10 or more)
  Ages 25–64	KRW 500	KRW 400

• Parking 12,000㎡(up to 700 vehicles)
• Cultural heritage commentator service +82-31-887-2868