Hwaseong Yunggeolleung is a historical site related to the filial piety of King Jeongjo during the Joseon Dynasty.
Yungneung is the tomb of Crown Prince Sado (Emperor Jangjo) and his wife Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hyeon clan (Empress Heongyeong). When Jeongjo ascended the throne, he honored his father as Jangheon-seja, and in 1899, Jangjo was posthumously honored as emperor. At that time, Lady Hong was also posthumously honored as Empress Heongyeong. Yungneung is a joint burial tomb (hapjangneung) where the emperor and empress are buried together under one mound. In 1762 (Yeongjo 38), when Jangjo (Crown Prince Sado) died after being confined in a wooden rice chest by order of his father King Yeongjo, a tomb was established on Baebongsan in what is now Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, called Su-eunmyo (Tomb of Bestowed Grace). In 1776, after Jeongjo ascended the throne, he bestowed the honorary title Jangheon-seja on his father and elevated the tomb to a won, naming it Yeonguwon (Eternal Protection Garden). This was because Jangheon-seja was not only crown prince but also the father of the king, so the tomb was named a won. Later, in 1789 (Jeongjo 13), Jeongjo moved Yeonguwon from Baebongsan to its current location on Hwasan in Suwon and renamed the won to Hyeonryungwon (Illustrious Prosperity Garden). In 1815 (Sunjo 15), Empress Heongyeong (Lady Hong) died and was interred in Hyeonryungwon the following year. After the proclamation of the Korean Empire in 1899 (Gwangmu 3), when Jangheon-seja was posthumously honored as Emperor Jang, the won was elevated to a neung and renamed Yungneung. Geonneung is the tomb of the 22nd Joseon king Jeongjo and Empress Hyoeui Kim. Jeongjo was highly filial, appointed many talented officials, and established the golden culture of late Joseon. Geonneung is also a joint burial tomb where the emperor and empress are buried together under one mound. Geonneung was constructed in 1800 (Jeongjo 24), after Jeongjo's death, on the eastern hill of Yungneung (then the Hyeonryungwon of Crown Prince Sado). However, due to geomantic concerns, it was decided in 1821 (Sunjo 21), after the death of Empress Hyoeui, to move Geonneung. The tomb site was set on the western hill of Yungneung, the current location, where Jeongjo was first enshrined, followed by Empress Hyoeui in a joint burial.
The historic site "Hwaseong Yungneung and Geonneung" located in Annyeong-dong, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, consists of Yungneung, which enshrines Emperor Jangjo (Sado Seja) and Empress Heongyeong (Queen Hyegyeong) Hong, and Geonneung, which enshrines the 22nd King Jeongjo Seon of Joseon and Empress Hyoeseon Kim. It is a valuable cultural heritage that reflects the Joseon Dynasty's royal tomb system and King Jeongjo's filial piety. On site, there is the History and Culture Center where visitors can learn about the historical background of Yunggeon Tombs, and a cultural tourism guide service is operated to help visitors understand the royal tombs while walking. The well-maintained Joseon royal tomb forest path is famous as a pine forest trail used by local residents for walking. Yungneung and Geonneung are located on both sides of the ticket office, and it takes about 1 to 1 hour and 30 minutes to visit both. After passing the ticket office, the History and Culture Center shows photos explaining Yunggeon Tombs in an easy-to-understand way, and it is recommended to visit this before touring the royal tombs. Next to the ancestral rite building, where ritual items are stored, there is a Taxus cuspidata designated as a natural monument. There is a public parking lot near the entrance of Yunggeon Tombs, making parking convenient. If a holiday falls on Monday, the closed day is the following day.
Yongjusa Temple is located near Yungneung and Geolleung Royal Tombs. This site was originally the location of Garyangsa Temple, which was constructed in 854, during the 16th year of King Munseong of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was very famous as it was surrounded by beautiful mountains and crystal clear waters. However, the temple was destroyed by fire during the Manchu War of 1636.
During the Joseon dynasty, King Jeongjo moved the tomb of his father to this spot, and built Yongjusa Temple here to pray for the repose of his father’s soul. It is said that one night before the temple was completed, King Jeongjo dreamt of a dragon ascending to the sky holding a magic ball in its mouth. He therefore named the temple “Yongjusa,” which means the temple of a dragon with a magic ball in Korean.
The courtyard of the temple contains the Bronze Bell of Yongjusa Temple, a National Treasure; a stone pagoda; Daeungbojeon (the main hall); and Cheonboru Pavilion. Visitors to Yongjusa Temple can also find the “Bumoeunjunggyeong” books, which were written by King Jeongjo on the subject of filial affection and respect for one’s parents. These days, Yongjusa Temple and the Yungneung and Geolleung Royal Tombs are highly valued for their cultural heritage.
Yongjusa is a temple founded by King Jeongjo. Originally, this place was the site of Gilyangsa, established in the 16th year of King Munseong of Silla (854), and during the early Goryeo period, the water and land rituals were held here. However, due to frequent wars and destruction, it was abandoned. Later, when King Jeongjo moved the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado, to Hwaseong and built the main temple, it is said that on the night of the inauguration ceremony, King Jeongjo dreamed of a dragon holding a yeouiju jewel ascending to heaven, which led to naming the temple Yongjusa. The main cultural heritage of Yongjusa includes the Yongjusa Bell (National Treasure), Yew Tree (Natural Monument), Gilt-bronze Incense Burner (Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage), Bronze Incense Burner (Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage), Sangryangmun (Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage), Copies of Scriptures (Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage), Folding Screen (Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage), Main Buddha Hall Back Wall Painting (Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage), and Buddhist Scripture Block (Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage). Yongjusa, founded out of King Jeongjo’s filial piety, was rebuilt to pray for Crown Prince Sado’s rebirth in paradise and is a place where the spirit of filial piety lives among the cultural heritage passed down by ancestors. Through the kind guidance and detailed explanations of the [Yongjusa Filial Piety Museum], visitors can discover the wisdom needed in life from the relics left by our ancestors.
This park is located at the foot of Yungneung in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. It is a 20-minute walk from Yungneung. It is equipped with a gateball court and various exercise facilities for physical fitness, as well as comfortable walking trails. In addition to the gateball court, there are facilities such as Hongjaewon, Bamboo Garden, and Rainwater Garden. Hongjaewon is a space created borrowing the name Hongjae, the first pen name of King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of Joseon, offering a traditional garden's serene atmosphere for rest and contemplation. The Rainwater Garden collects rainwater to soak into the ground and grow various purification plants. To the left of the parking lot is a large lawn plaza, ideal for children to run freely and for family picnics. It is a good place to visit along with Yungneung and Yongjusa Temple. If using public transportation, take the village bus at Suwon City Transfer Center towards Suwon University and get off at the Yunggeon-ro bus stop. ※ Pets are allowed (however, not allowed in Play Yard A).
