Geonwolleung, Royal cemetery in Guri, South Korea.
Geonwolleung is a royal cemetery in Guri featuring stone guardian statues, ritual altars, and memorial structures thoughtfully arranged across its grounds. The site is part of a larger tomb complex that contains multiple royal mausoleums and additional burial sites in one location.
Built in 1408, this site was created for King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty that ruled Korea for over 500 years. The tomb marks the beginning of a royal burial tradition that would continue with the ruling family throughout the dynasty's long reign.
The site reflects Confucian ritual principles in how it is organized and designed, with specific architectural choices that show Korean burial practices of the time. Walking through the grounds, visitors can see how religious beliefs shaped the arrangement of sacred spaces.
The grounds are open to visitors daily, allowing you to explore at your own pace or with informational guidance along the paths. Plan to spend enough time to see all the structures and understand how they are arranged across the site.
Located near Wangsukcheon Stream, the site contains nine royal mausoleums and additional burial grounds arranged together in one complex. This grouping reveals how multiple generations of royalty were buried in a single location following specific ceremonial customs.
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