Between the bustling Gangnam Station area and the shopping mecca known as COEX, you can find a small, yet beautiful park that is truly a hidden gem. Located in the Gangnam-gu district of Seoul, Seonjeongneung is the home of the royal Joseon tombs referred to as Seolleung and Jeonneung (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Here, King Seongjong, who ruled from 1469 to 1494, is buried along with his wife, Queen Jeonghyeon, and his son, King Jungjong, who also ruled from 1506 to 1544.
The tombs are characterized by massive, grass covered mounds topped with stone fences and statues of military guards with horses who keep watch over the burial sites. There are also a few other structures in the park which served as shrines and storage rooms along with a couple of beautiful gates and stone walkways leading to each tomb. While it may seem strange to find such a place amidst all the tall modern buildings and bright lights of Gangnam, this park is truly worth visiting. It is particularly nice in the springtime when the flowers are in bloom and in the summer when the grass on the tombs themselves is a brilliant green.
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