On a warm Sunday afternoon, there were few tourists queuing to see Jongmyo Shrine. Entry was allowed on the condition: you must join a guided tour group. It was mildly annoying, especially, after a half day hike along the fortress wall at Bugaksan and a walk in Gwangjang Market. The tour (in the afternoon) was free — but in Korean. Fortunately, we had Basil’s Korean ex-colleague, YJ (and her husband, Vito) with us. After paying the entrance fee, we followed a small group of Korean tourists along with our guide.
I’m never good with guided tours. My mind wanders and prefers to admire something — the guide isn’t showing. Our guide, a young girl in her twenties, continued her descriptions with an unusual chirpiness. Whilst YJ tried to make sense of it, the three of us (Vito, Basil, & I) looked around aimlessly. As a reward, a gush of wind blew, and the cherry blossom tree showered petals below. It’s one of those scenes, you’d probably see, only in a movie. The lucky young couple, standing below, tried to make the most of this rare moment.
Jongmyo Shrine is steeped in ancient Korean royal history. The Kings of the Joeseon Dynasty used the shrine as a place of worship, enshrine deceased royals in the form of spirit tablets, and perform sacred rites in their honour. Most of the rituals adhere to the principles of Confucianism, probably, explaining the bare simplicity of the structures. The ancient memorial rites (held in the month of May), are a reenactment of the actual service — performed through the ages. Jongmyo Shrine was included as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1995. We were lucky enough to attend the ceremony, last Sunday, but could only view a portion of the service — standing outside.
As we walked through narrow pathways, our guide stopped at regular intervals, to continue her discourse on history. By then, I had stopped asking YJ to interpret. The wooded environs around the ancient wooden houses were soothing and peaceful. Magpies flew in pairs, often breaking the silence with their loud calls. My legs were tired (screaming for a chair) and if allowed, I could’ve have chosen a quiet spot to sleep.
There were times, I tried to pay attention. Every chamber had been built for a specific purpose. The chambers leading to Jeongjeon Hall, the main ceremonial hall, were built for the Kings to prepare themselves — before attending the memorial service.
Jeongjeon Hall wore a deserted look. With few people around and noisy magpies in the background; it was hard to imagine, how this hall might have looked like, centuries ago. 19 spirit chambers hold the memory of Joseon royals. Normally, places like these, spook me. There’s a strange silence and eeriness with these memorials. Fortunately, I was too tired to let it sink in.
Yeongnyeongjeon (Hall of Eternal Peace) looked very similar to the principle hall. Probably because, this hall was built after Jeongjeon Hall. Yeongnyeongjeon holds 16 spirit chambers in all.
The narrow stone path, running through the spirit chambers, and the rest of the shrine are believed to be the path (samdo) on which the spirits travel. As a mark of respect, tourists aren’t allowed to walk on this path. While our tour group continued their journey within the shrine, we wandered for a bit, before walking parallel to the spirit path. This time, I had read a signboard, and it felt very strange to avoid walking on this path. As if — we secretly believed — we were walking with spirits alongside.
The pond near the main gate looked stunning with petals of blossoms scattered all over. After one last look — we finally called it a day.
twobrownfeet 
Nice photo
Thanks! 🙂
No problem 🙂 stop by my blog when you get the chance
I did! Sorry, I’ve been tied up the past few days and haven’t been able to comment on many blogs. 🙂
It’s alright 🙂 thank you. Hope everything is well
Yup! Many public holidays here and the city had a ton of events happening simultaneously. 🙂
Well it sounds like you had a great time 🙂
Haha! And am really tired with all the walking. 🙂
This looks the perfect place to wander alone. How annoying you were forced to accompany a tour guide and in Korean to boot!
Yes! It was. There are few other places, like the secret garden, where we were forced to join a tour. We didn’t wait and missed it. And it’s so strange, we never make it in time for English tours. 😦
I couldn’t help but smile when I read about you not being very good with guides and your mind wandering while they are speaking. It’s happen to me more times than I can remember. These days I make sure I trail behind the group so that I can take photos instead of walking alongside the guide and listening to her going on and on and on and at the end say, ” Right. I will now let you wander around and we all meet back here in 20 minutes!” 😦
I’m like that. I prefer reading much later, in the comfort of my home, and with no noise around me. Plus I have a very low attention span. And I love that part – You’re on your own. Let’s regroup in 20 minutes.:) In this case, we wandered away.
I’m with you and Dancing With Shadows. I have about a 2 minute attention span for guides and prefer to wander alone taking photos. Speaking of photos, Basil delivers again. Gorgeous images.
Couldn’t agree more! We avoid guides and it’s been a while since we opted for a guided tour. I love to wander too. Especially, if its silent. Thanks, Lisa! Basil photography has truly grown over the years. I’m so happy! 🙂
I share your feeling about guided tours, even if I had good experiences in the past. Most of the time, it’s because we were nearly alone with them and they were tailoring the tour based on our “needs” and preferences. So it was very pleasant ! 🙂
Custom tours could be different. They might work. I agree. Maybe, my threshold for listening is really low. Or I dream too much! Haha! How have you been? Not seen a post in a while. 🙂
I’m so sorry, it has been a long time indeed. I went to Italy for a little bit then I got really busy with work and no energy was left for me to browse the internet and my blog in the evenings. Hope you are well 🙂
Ah! No need to be. Was wondering if things were OK with you. And then guessed you must be pretty tied with the new job! We’re fine and in Seoul (second month). Take care and have a good week. 🙂
what a fascinating place…
wow, that photo with the blossoms falling from the trees at the gust of wind is amazing… I first thought this is rain, it’s good your worte these are blossoms…
I like guided tours when I’m at an unknown place, just to get me a sense of direction, so I find my way around… but then I like to stray and explore the place on my own 🙂
It was fascinating, Alex. And ‘blossom rain’ is surreal. You’ve got to be very lucky! Guided tours can be good. We’ve had some incredible guides in Rome, Paris, and even Iceland. Maybe, I don’t have much of an attention span, anymore. Prefer walking and getting lost in my own thoughts. 🙂
Nice to remind me of the day again. Thank you for your day with us. Catch up soon 🙂
A big ‘Thank YOU’ to you! You planned the entire day. And it was fantastic! Yes! We’ll catch up soon! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Really means a lot! 🙂
What a nice and serene place to visit. I love the thought of the cherry blossoms blowing from the trees.
It is! And it was soothing and had a calming effect on us.