Yeongnyeongneung Royal Tomb of King Hyojong, Royal tomb from the Joseon dynasty in Yeoju, South Korea
Yeongnyeongneung is a royal tomb from the Joseon dynasty located in Yeoju, South Korea, built for King Hyojong. The burial mound sits on a gentle slope among trees, enclosed by stone walls and flanked by stone figures and memorial tablets.
King Hyojong ruled in the mid-17th century and is remembered for his efforts to rebuild Joseon's strength after a Manchurian invasion. The tomb was created following the strict rules of Joseon-era Confucian burial rites.
Yeongnyeongneung is part of a group of Joseon royal tombs recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stone figures stand around the burial mound, placed there according to the customs of the time to guard the king in death.
The site is mostly outdoors, so it is worth dressing for the weather. The paths are natural and sometimes uneven, so sturdy shoes are a good idea.
Although King Hyojong is buried here, his tomb was originally placed at a different site and later moved to its current location in Yeoju. Relocating a royal tomb was not common in Joseon times, and it required careful ritual preparation.
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