Yungneung and Geolleung Tombs

These two tombs hold the central story of late Joseon. Crown Prince Sado was ordered by his father, King Yeongjo, to climb into a rice chest in 1762, and he died in it after eight days - an episode recorded in unusual detail, including in the memoir of his wife Lady Hyegyeong. Yungneung is his tomb, shared with her. Geolleung, a short walk through the pines, holds their son, King Jeongjo, and his queen. Jeongjo moved his father's remains here in 1789, chose the site for its geomancy, built the fortress city of Hwaseong nearby so he could visit, and made the journey repeatedly - his tomb was placed alongside at his own instruction. Sado's mound carries carved stone screens of unusual quality, commissioned by a son making a point about his father's status. The two tombs sit in a large pine wood with a walking path between them, and it is a quiet site with a heavy story.

What you actually see

• Yungneung - Sado and Lady Hyegyeong's mound and stone screens.
• Geolleung - Jeongjo's tomb through the pines.
• The carved stonework - the unusually fine screens and figures.
• The pine wood - the walk linking the two.

When to go

April to June and October to November. Closed on Mondays. Weekday mornings are quiet and the pine wood is the pleasant part of it.

Honest expectations

Mounds are viewed from the terrace below, not approached. Interpretation on site is limited - the history rewards reading beforehand. The walk between the two is about a kilometre.

Nearby

Yongjusa, the temple Jeongjo rebuilt for his father, is close; Suwon's fortress is 30 minutes north.