Cultural Heritage Administration Establishes Plan for Joseon Royal Tombs Trail
Second Half Public Opening of Donggureung Gyeongneung to Yangmyojang Path and Others
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jong-gil] A 600km-long path connecting Joseon Royal Tombs will be created. The Cultural Heritage Administration’s Office of Royal Palaces and Tombs announced on the 27th that it has established a plan to create a “600km Joseon Royal Tombs Path to See, Feel, and Walk Together” to utilize the forty UNESCO World Heritage Joseon Royal Tombs more systematically and diversely. Based on last year’s “Research on Infrastructure Construction for the Joseon Royal Tombs Path,” the forest trails inside the royal tombs will be gradually maintained.
This year, forest trails totaling 12.3km across eleven royal tomb sites will be maintained, including the Donggureung Gyeongneung to Yangmyojang path (1,500m), Namyangju Sareung Pine Tree Path (200m), Seoul Jeongneung Korean Hackberry Forest Path (600m), Goyang Seooreung Zelkova Tree Path (800m), Namyangju Hongyureung Gwanghwadang to Yeongwon Path (1,900m), Seoul Taereung to Gangneung Path (1,500m), Seoul Uireung Landscape Forest Restoration Site Path (900m), Seoul Heoninreung Alder Tree Path (1,100m), Hwaseong Yunggeolleung Oak and Pine Tree Path (1,300m), Gimpo Jangneung Reservoir Area (500m), and Yeoju Yeongneung King’s Forest Path (2,000m). These will be opened sequentially starting in the second half of the year. A “Royal Tombs External Path” course exploration program (by bus and on foot) will be promoted to expand forest trails into surrounding areas and enhance connectivity between royal tombs.
The external paths are categorized by theme into ▲“Pilgrimage Paths” connecting royal tombs to each other ▲“Procession Paths” linking royal tombs and palaces ▲“G·Ti Paths” (a compound word combining “Gachi” meaning “value” and “gil” meaning “path”) connecting royal tombs and surrounding regional cultural resources. The “Pilgrimage Path” is a 558km circular route starting from Changdeokgung Palace and connecting thirty Joseon Royal Tombs. The “Procession Paths” are seven routes linking palaces and royal tombs, totaling 173.5km. The “G·Ti Paths” connect seven royal tombs and original tombs with nearby cultural resources.
The Office of Royal Palaces and Tombs stated, “We expect the ‘Royal Tombs External Paths’ to greatly contribute to revitalizing local cultural tourism,” and added, “We will continue to consult with the relevant local governments to ensure that tangible benefits reach local residents.”
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