“Seosamneung” echoes through the air. It means “The Three Western Tombs”. This cluster is a window into Korea’s royal past.
Here at Seosamneung we find royal tombs from the Joseon Dynasty. These tombs aren’t just piles of earth. They are UNESCO World Heritage sites. They embody Confucian and geomantic traditions. These traditions shaped Korean culture.
Seosamneung includes Hwireung. It also has Hyoreung and Yereung. These three reung-type tombs give the area its name.
Hwireung holds Queen Janggyeong. She was King Jungjong’s second wife. She rests here. Hyoreung is the shared tomb of King Injong and Queen Inseong. Yereung houses King Cheoljong and Queen Cheorin. They lie side by side.
The area around Seosamneung once covered 4240000 square meters. Today it is only 224254 square meters. Sadly half of it is closed to the public.
Beyond the main tombs, Seosamneung has other stories to tell. Taesil are also here. These are stone rooms for a prince’s placenta. Tombs of princesses by concubines can also be found. Sogyeongwon and Hyochangwon add to the site’s significance.
King Jungjong’s second wife Queen Janggyeong was originally buried here. This marked the beginning of Seosamneung’s story. It became a royal burial ground.
Getting here is easy. You can take the subway to Samsong Station. From there, bus 041 will bring you directly to Seosamneung Royal Tombs.
When visiting Seosamneung note the Gokjang. These are walls that protect the sacred area. Look out for the Seokho. These tiger statues guard the tombs. The Mangjuseok are stone pillars. They stand on both sides of each mound. You can see the Muninseok. They are statues of scholars beside the Jangmyeongdeung lantern.
Imagine the royal processions. Picture the memorial services. Feel the weight of history. Seosamneung invites you to step back in time. It is a chance to learn about Korean royalty. It is also a space of reverence.