Royal Tomb of Joseon Dynasty (part 6)

This is the T-shaped shrine at Jeongneung or the tomb of King Jungjong.

who's he?

He's the 11th ruler of Joseon Dynasty (1488-1544).

and that is enough to make me amazed at how intact the tomb and the shrine are. 

These are ridge tiles on top of the roof. Most of them are animal shaped. What are these? If I am not mistaken, they are japsang (잡상).

I've been admiring these figurines since they do resemble the ones we have back home in Javanese culture. 

As I gazed into the shrine, I could see the laid out tables where the offerings are put in time for the ancestral rites. 

and the window (door?) right through it, we could see the burial mound behind this very shrine.

Up until today, the solemn ancestral rites are designated every year. This kind of legacy is an interesting feature of this royal tomb that people (tourists alike) are looking for.

Now, turn around into the front yard of the shrine, I could now see again the 신도 Spirit Road & the 어도 the King's road that both lead to this shrine.

*once again...I didn't know how to react....to the fact that this shrine is encapsulated within the city.^^

But I guess..since this is within-easy-reach via subway and buses and any other transportation...and the fact that it is right in Gangnam area....I happened to bump into lots of tourists visiting this royal tomb.

But, I guess..only those interested in historical features of Korean culture do visit this place. Others might just go straight to Myeongdong or Namdaemun.:-)

So, I guess this is something that people should consider visiting.

I can assure you that it is a worth-visiting place to get a little more understanding of Joseon  or well, Korean traditional past.

And..what would a historical trip (답사) be without at least a picture of myself in it?

Though I did my own itinerary...and with one-click of the button...zoomed I was in the picture. 

phew..what a day.!!!

Another last glace towards both the T-shape shrine and the burial mound behind it.

Bye-bye....and maybe I will visit again in Autumn or in Winter when all of these are covered in snow? ^^

Royal Tomb of Joseon Dynasty (part 4)

After a 30-minute walk trying to find where the best spot to see and admire this talked-about and sought-after royal tomb of Joseon Dynasty, I finally managed to find my way of going straight into the up-front lawn right in front of the tomb.....tens of meters away. 

Right, please keep in mind that the royal tomb is not that far off from the city, in fact it IS inside the city, so the serene atmosphere of the tomb itself must be viewed by our own sense of appreciating. *gee..I didn't even know what I'm saying... 

What I mean is that...no matter how hard I tried to sort of admire the beauty of its location, I was--more often than not--distracted by the high-rise building behind it.:-( 

But, what could I do? 

So, I just keep on walking until I found the perfect spot to see the royal tomb from afar.

This is the Tomb of King Jungjong. 

I was then standing in front of the Red Gate. (not yet visible) 

but I wonder if I ever did take a photo of the red gate through which all of the burial rites and its ancestral rites are performed? 

Anyway, it does not matter. Since I was standing from afar..I could barely see the T-shaped shrine (which I visited later on)...and apparently...the green burial mound right at the back of the shrine was not that clearly visible, either. 

Was I contented? nope, not the least. 'Let's see what I could make out out of this panoramic view?'

wow...a nice burial site in the middle of the city, right?

oh, there you are, Red Gate!! See the one on the right side? 

With a sunlight filter mode, I could vividly capture the serenity of this burial site for the Joseon Royal kings.