Taereung ep.2

Since it's only about 3 km from our home, we took the bikes!!! The kids rode the bikes and I walked^^

First stop: the museum.

Take some peeps on the diorama. This one is about the royal funeral procession.

The way leading to the tomb of Queen Munjeong was pretty neat. We passed through wooden blocks with wheat plantations on each side.

loved it.

since it's summer, the trees turned green and it's giving us some shades and cooling oxygen^^

Keep on walking, gals.

There were some benches. Just perfect.

not for picnic...but to step on it so as to give it a sense of height ㅋㅋㅋ. *kidding 

Finally we reached the gate to the royal tomb.

we came there. Serene.

a serene place ...even in summer.

ok...kids...!

it's a good day to.have a stroll.in the park. Though this isn't a park.

Of course...there are sime other people coming in.

...to see the complex closer.

so...green.

this is an altar to see...the tomb.

...and we took.some more shots before taking a rest at one of the benches we saw earlier.

#subway line 6. Then take the bus no.202. Or simply walk to Seoul Women University...and it's just 15-20 minute walk from the main gate of the university.

Royal Tomb of Joseon Dynasty (part 9)

 A nice afternoon hangout in historical trail that would transport us into the depth and intricate layer of Confucianism in Joseon Dynasty.

Come and visit the Royal Tomb of Joseon Dynasty at Seolleung. 

a green lawn and blue sky: a perfect day to chill out outdoor.  

This is the entrance door and the ticket booth.

it cost me only 1,000 Won for adult.

So..one hour tour into a history of Joseon as seen from the royal tour would be a rewarding experience--for anyone keen into history..or into natural atmosphere of Seoul. 

This is the signage informing where to go..

we could get off at Seolleung station (line 2-green line) and walk from exit 8 and walk for about 5 minutes and we'll meet this sign. 

I didn't bring any cash in my wallet, so...debit card is acceptable, too. 

This is the ticket.

A unique memory.

Half-day tour spent in Seoul.

Royal Tomb of Joseon Dynasty (part 8)

This is the view from where I was standing behind the shrine of the King Seongjong:

The 9th ruler of Joseon Dynasty. 

That's the burial mound up there. I was just admiring the surrounding serenity that it offered. green lawn, trees, blue sky...a perfect combination... 

With just an entrance fee of 1,000 won or not even 1US$, it is considered a perfect spot to ...well...any activities that people want to. 

But..please in mind that this is still...considered as a sacred place...

so be thoughtful and ...well, you know.

but..taking pictures are surely allowed. 

Zoomed the burial tomb of King Seongjeong. 

Also the stone figurines of the military officials guarding the tomb. 

What I liked and loathed(:) to a certain degree of this place is how this traditional building is encapsulated and wrapped inside the modern high-rise building.

Wait...doesn't it make it even more unique??? 

hmmm...yes...in such a way, it is indeed. 

Another glance into the burial mound....a green mound with the perfect blue backdrop.

Can you see two magpies on the lawn? 

There's one of them.  

It would've been great if I could just walk on it...but...keep off the lawn, Suray!!!

Royal Tomb of Joseon Dynasty (part 7)

Now..after I visited the 중종대황릉 (the tomb of King Jungjong), I got to walk for about one kilometer up the hills towards another royal tomb, i.e. the tomb of 성종대왕 (King Seongjong) 

Okay..let's start the tour. As I was walking through the alley, I bumped into the birds....that happened to be about to fly...and just they were about to...I snapped my camera...and I could see the flutter of their wings...

and oh..the sun rays that shone through it....

what a sight.

Trivial as it may seem, for me...it's a masterpiece of my own.:-) ^-^ 

because that's how I always enjoy the beauty of life.

phew...gosh..should I go up these trails? 

no other way around, Suray. You got to. 

The trails seemed to be left naturally like this without any tiles or rocks. This was just perfect! 

Oh, I noticed that each tree had its name plated on it. And what's more is that...most of the trees along the trails were covered in black wrapping plastic...so as to keep them from being vandalized. ^^ ok, I agree to that. Only that I thought...it was for the protection against the winter season. 

Oh..another magpie(?) that I spotted on my way to the other place.... 

Phew..finally...the descending trails were visible. 

and...da..da...I arrived safely at Seolleung (선릉) or the Royal tomb of King Seongjong.

He's the 9th ruler of Joseon Dynasty (1457 - 1494).

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? ^^