A Century-Old Research Forest Next to a University Food Alley

Hoegi-dong is known as a university food-alley neighborhood, but the forest right beside it, Hongneung Forest, began as Korea's first forestry research station on ground that once held the tombs of two queens, in succession — one stripped of her royal title, the other assassinated.

Key takeaways

First-time visitors to Hoegi-dong and Hongneung Forest notice the food alley in front of Kyung Hee University and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies before anything else. But the neighborhood's name and the forest's identity both trace back to the deaths of two queens. Hoegi-dong takes its name from Hoemyo, the tomb of Lady Yun — mother of King Yeonsangun, whose title as queen was posthumously stripped. Hongneung Forest takes its name from Hongneung, the tomb of Empress Myeongseong, who was assassinated in 1895 in an incident known as the Eulmi Incident. Fact Both tombs originally stood here before later being relocated elsewhere, and the site of Hongneung became Korea's first forestry research station in 1922. Fact

FIT TRIP reads this neighborhood as a place where modern academic research took root on ground that had already witnessed the repeated loss of royal status. Budget three to four hours from Hoegi Station to the King Sejong Memorial Hall, and you'll see Joseon-dynasty royal history, the history of modern forestry, and today's university district all layered together. Actual time depends on how long you linger. Est.

What the postcard image misses

"The food alley in front of Kyung Hee University" only shows half this neighborhood's story. FIT TRIP asks the sharper question: why did two queens' tombs stand here in succession, and why was this same ground closed off from the public as a research forest for over a hundred years? The answer isn't coincidence — it's the process by which a royal burial ground was converted into land for a modern state research institution.

✅ Before you go

Confirm Hongneung Forest's closing days — Mondays and some national holidays
The Hoemyo tomb site sits inside the grounds of Kyunghee Girls' Middle & High School today, so outside access is limited
The King Sejong Memorial Hall is a separate facility, just across the road from Hongneung Forest
The university food-alley area has a different atmosphere by day versus by night

FAQ

Q: Can you see an actual royal tomb inside Hongneung Forest?

A: The burial mound itself was relocated to Namyangju, but you can still see the site where the tomb once stood, along with a royal well called "Eojeong" where King Gojong once rested. Fact

Q: What does the "gi" in Hoegi-dong mean?

A: The name originally used the character for "tomb" (墓), later replaced with the character for "site/foundation" (基), a phonetically similar but less ominous-sounding character. Fact