Jongmyo is the Royal Ancestral Shrine where the spirit tablets of Joseon (1392-1910) kings and queen-consorts are enshrined and rituals performed. As the number of spirit tablets increased, the complex was repeatedly expanded. There are two royal shrines in Jongmyo: Jeongjeon (the main hall, National Treasure No. 227) and Yeongnyeongjeon (Hall of Eternal Peace, Treasure No. 821). At present, a ceremony is held on the first Sunday in each May. The ritual and music used for the ceremony have been designated as Intangible Cultural Properties No. 56 and No. 1, respectively.

When built, Jongmyo's main hall had the longest floor space of any contemporary wooden building in the world. The structure has the Spartan atmosphere preferred by Confucianism instead of the elaborate decoration found on palaces and Buddhist temples. Its wide front gives it a distinct appearance.

When ancestral rites were systematized in China's Zhou Kingdom, homage was paid to seven generations of ancestors; in Ming, this was expanded to nine generations, and thus, China's ancestral shrine has nine cubicles. Jongmyo, on the other hand, has a unique structure consisting of 19 partitions. The Jongmyo rites are based on the ritual culture of the ancient Chinese kingdoms of Xia, Yin and Zhou and thus give researchers a glimpse into the unique character of these ancient cultures.