Seoul Munmyo and Sungkyunkwan

Just inside the main gate of Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul Munmyo and Sungkyunkwan preserve a shrine to Confucius and the highest state academy of the Joseon dynasty within one walled compound. The old lecture hall and student dormitories stand beneath a huge ginkgo that is a designated Natural Monument, and with free admission all year it is an easy addition to a walk around Jongno.

History: a Confucian centre since 1398

After moving the capital to Hanyang, King Taejo had Munmyo built following Gyeongbokgung, Jongmyo and Sajikdan, and the shrine and academy were completed in 1398. They burned down in 1400, were rebuilt in 1407, and were largely destroyed again during the Japanese invasions of the 1590s. After the war, the academy's students raised funds across the country to rebuild Daeseongjeon in 1601–1602 and Myeongnyundang with its dormitories in 1606; a major repair in 1869 gave the complex its present form. Sungkyunkwan carried on the tradition of the Goryeo-era Gukjagam as Joseon's top state school. It lost its teaching role with the modern education reforms, but the rites are still performed today.

What to see

The layout follows the principle of shrine in front, school behind.

• Daeseongjeon: the main hall enshrining Confucius together with his four closest followers (Yan Hui, Zengzi, Zisi and Mencius), ten disciples, six Song-dynasty scholars and the Eighteen Sages of Korea, among them Choe Chi-won, Yi Hwang and Yi I. It is a solid five-bay building with a hipped-and-gabled roof.
• Dongmu, Seomu and Sammun: the long side halls flanking the courtyard and the south gate. The central gate is reserved for the spirits and normally stays closed.
• Myeongnyundang: the lecture hall where students attended classes, a neat building with a raised central section and two side wings.
• Dongjae and Seojae: the long dormitories either side of the lecture-hall courtyard, where students preparing for the state examinations lived.
• Ginkgo trees: a huge ginkgo in front of Myeongnyundang is a designated Natural Monument. In autumn the whole courtyard turns gold.

Daeseongjeon, Myeongnyundang, Dongmu, Seomu and Sammun are designated Treasures, and the Munmyo and Sungkyunkwan area became a Historic Site in 1964.

Good to know

• Every spring and autumn the Seokjeon Daeje rite in honour of Confucius and the sages is held at Daeseongjeon, accompanied by Munmyo jeryeak ritual music on bronze bells, stone chimes and drums, and a ritual dance.
• The two juniper trees in front of Daeseongjeon symbolise the Three Bonds and Five Relationships of Confucian ethics.
• Bicheondang, northwest of the lecture hall, was used for state examinations.

Nearby

• Changgyeonggung Palace: about 600 m away, an easy walk south after Munmyo.
• Daehangno: the small-theatre district around Hyehwa Station, good for a show and a meal.
• Naksan Park and the Seoul City Wall: climb the hill east of Daehangno for the wall trail and views across the city.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: 09:00–18:00 from March to October and 09:00–17:00 from November to February. Open every day, free admission.
• Getting there: the address is 31 Seonggyungwan-ro, Jongno-gu. From Hyehwa Station (Line 4), walk uphill towards the university's main gate.
• Best time: early to mid November, when the ginkgo leaves turn, is the busiest and most beautiful period. Check Sungkyunkwan's notices for the date of the Seokjeon Daeje.
• Time needed: 40 minutes to 1 hour is enough for the shrine and lecture-hall areas.