Tonggurung, Royal burial site in Guri, South Korea
Tonggurung is a royal burial site in Guri containing nine tombs where seven kings and ten queens of the Joseon Dynasty rest inside stone-walled mounds. The grounds feature the distinctive architectural layout of these royal sepulchers with multiple structures spanning hundreds of years of dynasty rule.
The site began when the Joseon Dynasty established its rule in 1392 and chose Guri as a burial ground for its kings and queens. Over five centuries, successive monarchs and their consorts were laid to rest here, making it a central record of the dynasty's long reign.
Stone statues of soldiers and officials stand guard around the burial mounds, reflecting how the Joseon Dynasty honored its leaders with solemn ceremony. These figures show the formal customs that shaped royal funeral practices during that historical period.
The site is accessible daily and visitors can walk the grounds to explore each tomb and its surrounding features at their own pace. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is helpful since the paths cross hilly terrain between the various burial areas.
Each tomb features a T-shaped shrine building where descendants once performed ancestral rites according to strict Confucian rules. These shrines remain visible today and reveal the spiritual practices tied to royal burial customs.
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