4,000 reenactors to march 32 km in Korea's largest historical reenactment
In the autumn of 1795, King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty set out on an unprecedented eight-day royal pilgrimage from his palace in Seoul to his father’s memorial site in Hwaseong. Escorting his mother, Lady Hyegyeong, the monarch marched with thousands of soldiers, officials and horses in a historic display of filial piety and royal authority. That grand journey will return on a monumental scale…
In Korea, the largest historical reenactment in the nation's history is set to take place this Sunday. Organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gyeonggi Province, and the cities of Suwon and Hwaseong, the 2026 King Jeongjo Royal Parade will commemorate the legendary eight-day royal pilgrimage undertaken by King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty in 1795.
King Jeongjo, accompanied by his mother Lady Hyegyeong, embarked on a journey from his palace in Seoul to his father's memorial site in Hwaseong. The historic procession, spanning 31.8 kilometers, showcased the monarch's filial piety and royal authority, with thousands of soldiers, officials and horses participating in the event.
Nearly three centuries later, the 2026 Royal Parade aims to bring this momentous occasion back to life, featuring more than 4,000 participants and 108 horses. The festival, one of Korea's most significant living history spectacles, will traverse four major municipal boundaries, transforming urban thoroughfares into dynamic outdoor stages for traditional pageantry, street theater, and cultural performances.
The parade will commence from Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, crossing the Han River, and conclude at Yungneung, the royal tomb complex in Gyeonggi Province. This monumental event promises to be a captivating display of Korea's rich history and cultural heritage, attracting spectators from across the nation.
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