Changdeokgung Palace Complex and Gwangneung Cluster\t

Scenic road chapters

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Changdeokgung Palace Complex

   Changdeokgung was built in 1405 as a secondary palace for the Joseon kings, and it ended up being the one they actually liked living in. Where the main palace, Gyeongbokgung, was laid out on a strict axis, Changdeokgung was fitted into the foot of the hills, following the folds of the ground, and its halls, gates and courtyards feel more relaxed and more human as a result. After the Japanese invasions of the 1590s burned all of Seoul's palaces, this was the first to be rebuilt, and it served as the main royal residence for some two and a half centuries.

   Read the complete Changdeokgung Palace Complex write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Changdeokgung Palace Complex is where the day begins. Next is Donggureung Cluster.

2. 2. Donggureung Cluster

   Nine kings and ten queens of the Joseon dynasty lie at Donggureung, in the city of Guri, just north-east of Seoul. The name means the Eastern Nine Tombs, and it is the largest royal burial ground of the dynasty, which ruled Korea for over five centuries from 1392 to 1910. The tombs are spread across a wooded hillside, each a grassy mound surrounded by stone figures of officials and animals, set according to the rules of geomancy with a mountain behind and water in front.

   Read the complete Donggureung Cluster write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Donggureung Cluster comes up about 18 km into the recorded legs. Next is Gwangneung Cluster\t.

3. 3. Gwangneung Cluster\t

   Gwangneung is the tomb of King Sejo of Joseon and his queen, Jeonghui, and it sits inside one of the best-preserved forests in Korea, north-east of Seoul between Namyangju and Pocheon. Sejo seized the throne in 1455 from his young nephew Danjong, who was later exiled and killed, and he spent much of his reign strengthening royal power. In death, though, he asked for modesty: he ordered that his tomb be built without the usual stone burial chamber and without some of the stone ornaments, to save the people labour and expense. The two mounds lie on separate ridges, with a shrine between them.

   Read the complete Gwangneung Cluster\t write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   about 39 km into the recorded legs you reach Gwangneung Cluster\t. Next is back through Donggureung Cluster.

4. 4. back through Donggureung Cluster

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Donggureung Cluster write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   back through Donggureung Cluster, late in the day. Next is Changdeokgung Palace Complex.

5. 5. Changdeokgung Palace Complex

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Changdeokgung Palace Complex write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back at Changdeokgung Palace Complex. That is the ride.