Sareung

Sareung is a royal tomb in Namyangju that spans about 16 hectares of land and includes ceremonial structures, stone guardian figures, and protective stone walls surrounding a central mound. The grounds form a contained sacred space with clearly defined areas for different parts of the burial ritual.

The burial ground was established in 1698 as the final resting place of Queen Jeongsun, wife of King Danjong from the 15th-century Joseon Dynasty. The later placement of her remains reflects the political upheavals that affected royal families during that era.

The site displays traditional Korean burial architecture with specific wall structures and ritual pathways that shape how visitors move through the sacred ground today. These design choices reflect beliefs about the balance between the living world and the resting place.

Visitors need prior permission from local authorities to enter the grounds and should arrange this in advance. This procedure helps protect the sacred nature of the site and manages visitor numbers.

Stone lions and sheep position themselves in geometric patterns around the mound and serve as spiritual guardians of the tomb. These animal sculptures follow a concept of directional harmony deeply rooted in Korean burial art.