Joseon heritage tour reopens with new focus on young monarch's tragic story

Tourists walk through Gyeongbok Palace, Seoul, March 15. Yonhap

A popular heritage tour through the royal tombs of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty will return this month with an expanded itinerary, officials said Wednesday, including a newly added overnight route tracing the life and death of King Danjong, the teenage monarch who was overthrown and later killed after a brief reign.

The Korea Heritage Service’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center said its Royal Tombs Eight Scenes program will operate 34 times from April 30 to Nov. 15, marking its sixth year, with guided tours taking participants through eight UNESCO World Heritage-listed Joseon royal tombs, paired with expert commentary and cultural experiences.

The program is divided into two sessions, running from April 30 to June 13, and from Sept. 5 to Nov. 15.

This year, the organizers have expanded the Path of Danjong course from a one-day itinerary to a one-night, two-day program, reflecting renewed public interest following the film “The King's Warden.” The route traces the tragic story of King Danjong and Queen Jeongsun.

The program will accommodate 26 participants per session, with up to 30 participants for the in-depth courses and the Path of Danjong itinerary.

Reservations for the April and May programs are now open via Naver’s booking platform, with each applicant allowed to register up to four people. Seniors aged 65 or older, people with disabilities and national merit recipients may also reserve by phone.

The cost is set at 30,000 won ($20) for adults for the one-day programs and 80,000 won for the overnight course, with discounted rates for children and teenagers.

More information is available on the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center website and on operator Travelstory’s website.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.