2024.11.16. (Sat)
Seoul Outing: Exploring Seosulla-gil and Jongmyo Shrine
We visited Seosulla-gil, which has recently gained attention as a hot spot after being featured by Jeon Hyun-moo on the MBC entertainment program ‘I Live Alone’. This place, emerging as a mecca for Gen MZ, is also popular among friends as a gathering spot for university alumni. Seosulla-gil, stretching from Jongno 3-ga 45-4 to Gwonnong-dong 26 in Seoul’s Jongno District, derives its name from the Sunorocheong, an ancient patrol office that used to guard the Jongmyo Shrine.
As we walked along Seosulla-gil, I felt the strong desire of many people to experience the trends of the Gen MZ generation. My best friend also had a university alumni gathering here.
As we ascended the path, various shops lined the left side, while the stone walls of Jongmyo Shrine formed a picturesque backdrop on the right. The scenery, with foxtails swaying as if greeting us, felt warm and inviting.
In a photo taken looking back, shops selling accessories, jewelry, and handmade products caught my eye.
We also spotted the caricature shop that Jeon Hyun-moo recommended as a great place to eat.
There are also several charming Hanok (traditional Korean house) cafes where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the stone wall view. ☕️
Thanks to the weather, which was above 15 degrees Celsius, we often saw customers enjoying drinks in front of the shops.
The taco house ‘비틀비틀, 비틀스타코 서순라점’, which Jeon Hyun-moo enjoyed, is also located here. It’s on the 1st floor at Seoul Jongno District Seosulla-gil 89-7, and a Naver Map link is provided.
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Flowers made of Hanji paper and the sign for ‘Uri Suljip Daramjwi’ (Our Liquor House Squirrel) caught our attention. 🐿
This place, where the squirrel illustration is more prominent than the name, is a traditional folk liquor house that opens at 5 PM. 🍶
It was a Saturday morning, so the street was quiet, but surprisingly many shops opened at 5 PM.
We also visited ‘Sunoragil,’ famous for its fermented skate dish and certified by the Blue Ribbon Survey, but unfortunately, it was closed due to its regular Sunday closing day. (It was also featured in ‘Sikgaek: The Gourmet’.)
The weather was a bit cloudy and windy, so there weren’t as many visitors in Seosulla-gil as expected. However, there are rumors that it gets lively after 5 PM.
At the northern end of Seosulla-gil, there were exercise equipment and stairs behind them.
Climbing the stairs, we saw a building with a beautiful roof, exuding a strong autumn atmosphere.
The walking trail around Jongmyo Shrine had designated opening hours. The old fortress site was also preserved.
Upon reaching the east entrance of Jongmyo Shrine, we purchased admission tickets from the unmanned ticket machine. The adult ticket price was 1,000 won.
Following the map, we began our tour of Jongmyo Shrine in a clockwise direction.
The red maple leaves, ablaze with color, formed a magnificent spectacle.
There were more visitors inside Jongmyo Shrine than in Seosulla-gil.
The enormous Sophora tree was impressive.
The Sophora tree, maple tree, cloudy sky, and tiled roof blended together to create a beautiful landscape.
There was also a well site.
We saw a persimmon tree laden with fruit, but no magpies were present, perhaps due to the strong astringent taste.
Jongmyo Shrine, located in Hunjeong-dong, Seoul Jongno District, is a royal ancestral shrine where the ancestral tablets of Joseon Dynasty kings and queens, as well as posthumously honored kings and queens, were enshrined and ancestral rites were performed. (Excerpt from Knowledge Encyclopedia)
At first, the entrance was closed, and we worried we wouldn’t be able to see inside, but fortunately, entry was permitted.
[Samdo]
The raised paths, resembling paving stones, are divided into three sections, symbolizing the king’s path.
This is a spot with a magnificent ginkgo tree. While not as grand as the Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree, it displays a beautiful form.
It seems like it would be even more beautiful when the ground is covered with ginkgo leaves.
I had never seen a yew tree this large before, located next to the ginkgo tree. I was surprised, having only ever seen the small ones in apartment complex flowerbeds.
[Jongmyo Shrine Jeongjeon]
The interior of the Jongmyo Shrine Jeongjeon was undergoing major construction, so we couldn’t get close to see it.
[Jeongjeonak Gongcheon]
This was the waiting area for the musicians and dancers.
[Yeongnyeongjeon]
Yeongnyeongjeon is a separate shrine housing the ancestral tablets of kings and queens not enshrined in Jeongjeon. It was first built during King Sejong’s reign.
As Jongmyo Shrine is a space for ancestral rites, it exhibits an extremely simple and restrained architectural style, rather than being ornate. The dancheong (colored decorative painting) is also extremely minimalist.
[Samdo]
Upon entering the main gate of Jongmyo Shrine, you are met with the Samdo stretching long to the north. The elevated central path is the Shingnyang-ro (path for incense burner), the lower eastern path is the Eoro (king’s path), and the western path is the Sejaro (crown prince’s path). The Eoro is for the king, the Sejaro for the crown prince, and the Shingnyang-ro is for carrying the incense burner.
The red maple in the pond was brilliantly red and incredibly beautiful. It was the most beautiful autumn foliage I had seen this year and a very popular photo spot.
The magnificent pine tree in the center of the pond also caught our eye.
Many people, including foreigners, families, and couples, visited Jongmyo Shrine. It was my first visit to Jongmyo Shrine in 24 years since moving to Seoul from Busan, and it was a great course for a leisurely trip, including Seosulla-gil, the Jongmyo Shrine walking trail, and Jongmyo Shrine itself.
Yesterday, a lot of snow fell, turning the whole world white, but it also caused traffic disruptions. Please be careful on the snowy roads, and I wish all my neighbors good health! ♡
Jongmyo Shrine
Seoul Special City Jongno District Jongno 157
#Seosulla-gil #Jongmyo Shrine #AutumnFoliage #SeoulAttraction #SeoulOuting #IHaveLivedAloneJeonHyunmoo
