The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty form a collection of 40 tombs scattered over 18 locations. Built over five centuries, from 1408 to 1966, the tombs honoured the memory of ancestors, showed respect for their achievements, asserted royal authority, protected ancestral spirits from evil and provided protection from vandalism. The roads to the royal tombs lead travelers to an auspicious place. The sites of the royal tombs were carefully selected by Feng Shui experts, and the landscape, structures, and architecture surrounding the tombs combined to produce the highest art form of the time. The premises of the royal tombs are surrounded by mountains, bodies of water, and grass lawns and covered by old pine trees. Not only have they been preserved perfectly for 600 years, but the memorial rites from then are still practiced today. The royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty are the ultimate icons of Joseon history and culture that have continued to today.
credit: KOREA.NET – Official page of the Republic of Korea