Key takeaways
Behind the open-air stage near the park's main gate, more than 20 stone statues from the Yugangwon era stand on display outdoors — stone lanterns, civil and military official statues, and carved animal figures including horses, sheep, and tigers. Fact These statues were carved around 1904, when Yugangwon was originally built, and have remained in place as original artifacts even after the tomb itself was relocated. Fact In 2001, the city of Seoul designated this stone-statue grouping a Seoul Tangible Cultural Heritage under the name "Stone Statues of Sunmyeongbi's Yugangwon." Fact
Having a carousel and amusement-ride lighting appear in the same sightline as these statues is a striking, unusual juxtaposition unique to this park. Visitors should be encouraged not to simply walk past this royal heritage as if it were decorative amusement-park scenery.
What to look for on site
- The carving style of the civil and military official statues
- The arrangement of the animal statues (horse, sheep, tiger)
- The specific vantage point where the statues and the amusement rides both fall within view
Original, site-only, restored, or recreated?
- Original, still standing: the roughly 20 Yugangwon stone statues — genuine artifacts that remained in place even after the tomb's relocation. Fact
- Site only: Yugangwon itself — the burial mound and remains are now at Hongneung-Yureung and no longer exist here.
Avoid saying "the royal tomb remains intact here." Be precise: the stone statues survive, but the tomb itself was relocated.