Food & Cafés
Seolleung Station Series
Seonjeongneung: A Royal Tomb Walk in the Middle of Gangnam
After the sundae-guk and the hand brew, a quiet walk through UNESCO-listed Joseon royal tombs — history, hours, fees, and a café with a forest view.
A bowl of sundae-guk and a very good cup of coffee make for a full afternoon. The last stop of this Seolleung Station day is lighter: a slow walk through the royal tombs that gave the neighborhood its name, set among the office towers of Gangnam.
Here is the walk itself, a short history of who is buried here, the practical details for visiting, and one café to try if you would like to go straight to coffee after the tombs.
01
From Alexander Coffee Studio to the Tombs
From Alexander Coffee Studio, the entrance to Seonjeongneung is about a 10 to 15 minute walk, a comfortable distance for an unhurried stroll. It is also a good way to shake off the aroma of sundae-guk, which tends to cling to clothing after the meal. A stretch of fresh air in the middle of the city, ending at a World Heritage site, is a fitting way to close the day.
02
Planning Tip: Palaces and Tombs
If you are planning a trip to Korea and searching for sights near your hotel or route, consider Korea’s traditional palaces and royal tombs. The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, run by the Korea Heritage Service, publishes official information on both, including admission details. It is worth checking when you plan your itinerary and where you stay. The official admission page for Seolleung and Jeongneung is the best place to confirm current hours.
03
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the City
Seonjeongneung is the place Seolleung Station is named after. It combines two tomb areas, Seolleung and Jeongneung, in one precinct, and its green grounds sit between the high-rises of Gangnam. The site is Historic Site No. 199 and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009 as part of the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty.
Who Is Buried at Seonjeongneung?
Seolleung
King Seongjong and Queen Jeonghyeon
The tomb of Seongjong, the ninth king of Joseon, and his third queen, Queen Jeonghyeon. Seongjong completed the Gyeongguk Daejeon, Joseon’s legal code, and set the foundations of the state.
Jeongneung
King Jungjong
The tomb of Jungjong, the eleventh king of Joseon, who rests alone. He was the son of Seongjong and Queen Jeonghyeon, and his tomb stands close to Seolleung.
What Is a Dongwon-igangneung Tomb?
Seolleung was built in the dongwon-igangneung style: the king’s tomb and the queen’s tomb sit on separate hills within the same precinct. Jeongneung is a danneung, a single tomb for one king. Walking between them, you can take in the stillness that marks Joseon royal tombs and the careful arrangement of the stone figures that stand beside them.
Admission is KRW 1,000, about USD 0.7, for a UNESCO World Heritage site in the middle of Gangnam.
04
Visiting Information
Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs (Seonjeongneung)
1 Seolleung-ro 100-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Seolleung Station (Line 2 and Bundang Line), Exit 10. Seonjeongneung Station on Line 9 is also close.
Closed: Mondays.
Hours: March to October 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; November to January 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; February 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Last admission is one hour before closing.
Admission for foreign visitors: adults (19 and older) KRW 1,000 (about USD 0.7); youth (7–18) KRW 500 (about USD 0.4); children 6 and under are free. Converted at 1 USD = 1,400 KRW.
Time needed: at least 30 minutes to walk around both tombs, longer if you stroll slowly.
→ View on Google Maps · Official English Site
Hours and fees can change with the season and over time, so confirm them on the official site before you go.
05
After the Walk: A Café With a View of Jeongneung
If you skipped the earlier meal and coffee stops and would like coffee straight after the tombs, Torch Coffee’s Samseong branch is about a five-minute walk from the entrance of Seonjeongneung. Its windows look out over the green of Jeongneung, which makes it one of the better view cafés in the area.
In my experience the drip coffee, americano, and latte are all excellent, and I especially recommend the vanilla latte. I will review Torch Coffee in more detail in a separate post.
Torch Coffee (T.O.CH Coffee) — Samseong Branch
41 Bongeunsa-ro 68-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (ground floor). About a five-minute walk from the Seonjeongneung entrance. Please check the café’s Instagram for current hours before you go.
→ View on Google Maps · Instagram: @t.o.ch_coffee
06
The Whole Day at a Glance
Part 1
A Hearty Meal
Sundae-guk at Nongmin Baekam Sundae, Korea’s year-round soul food.
Part 2
An Unhurried Coffee
Hand brew at Alexander Coffee Studio, about 15 minutes on foot from the restaurant.
Part 3
A Walk Through History
Seonjeongneung, or a coffee at Torch Coffee if you would like to go straight to the café after the tombs.
That closes this day around Seolleung Station: a bowl of sundae-guk, a cup of carefully brewed coffee, and a walk through the royal tombs at the heart of Gangnam. I hope it serves as a useful route the next time you are in the area.
Sources & Notes
Opening hours, closing day, and admission fees for Seonjeongneung are drawn from the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center of the Korea Heritage Service and its admission information page. The site’s address, Historic Site No. 199 designation, and 2009 UNESCO World Heritage inscription are drawn from the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s English guide and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Details on who is buried at Seolleung and Jeongneung are drawn from Korea.net. The Torch Coffee address is drawn from public place listings and the café’s Google Maps listing. Prices are converted from Korean won to US dollars at an approximate rate of 1 USD = 1,400 KRW and are estimates. Hours and fees may change, so please confirm them on the official site before visiting.
Paul Cho — Your Man in Korea
Where are the Seonjeongneung royal tombs?
At 1 Seolleung-ro 100-gil in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Take Seolleung Station (Line 2 and Bundang Line), Exit 10. Seonjeongneung Station on Line 9 is also close.
What are the opening hours?
March to October 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., November to January 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and February 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Last admission is one hour before closing.
Which day is Seonjeongneung closed?
Mondays.
How much does it cost to enter?
For foreign visitors, KRW 1,000 for adults 19 and older (about $0.7) and KRW 500 for ages 7 to 18 (about $0.4). Children 6 and under are free. These are estimates at 1 USD = 1,400 KRW.
How long does a visit take?
At least 30 minutes to walk around Seolleung and Jeongneung, and longer if you stroll slowly.
Who is buried at Seonjeongneung?
King Seongjong, the ninth king of Joseon, and Queen Jeonghyeon at Seolleung. King Jungjong, the eleventh king and Seongjong’s son, at Jeongneung.
Is Seonjeongneung a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Yes. It was inscribed in 2009 as part of the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty.
How far is it from Alexander Coffee Studio?
About a 10 to 15 minute walk to the entrance at an easy pace.
Is there a café with a view of the tombs?
Not over view, but Torch Coffee’s Samseong branch is about a five-minute walk from the entrance, and its windows face the greenery of Jeongneung.