By Kang Gahui and Kim Hayeon  
Photos = Cultural Heritage Administration

Forest trails at nine royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty filled with dense vegetation will be opened to the public.

The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center of the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) on May 16 said such trails at the tombs, including the one at East Nine Royal Tombs in Guri, Gyeonggi-do Province, will be opened from May 17 to June 30.

In the capital, a 1.8 km-long street connecting Taereung and Gangneung and a 970-m road from Cheonjangsan Mountain at Uireung Royal Tomb to a restoration site of a historical landscape forest are set to open. 

Slated to open in Gyeonggi-do are seven streets in East Nine Royal Tombs in Guri, Jangneung Royal Tomb in Paju, Gwangneung Royal Tomb in Namyangju, Sareung Royal Tomb in Namyangju, Yungneung and Geolleung royal tombs in Hwaseong, Three Royal Tombs in Paju and Yeongneung Royal Tombs in Yeoju.

The tombs in Guri have a nature learning center newly decorated with field flowers and lakeside plants.

Visitors can freely visit the tombs daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays). More information is available on the website of CHA (cha.go.kr) and its center (royal.cha.go.kr). 

The center said, "Also called 'God's Garden,' the forest trails of the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty are places of relaxation and healing," adding, "We will create and develop more forest trails."

kgh89@korea.kr