Jongmyo Shrine is the premier state shrine in the country to hold ancestral rites for kings and queens, emperors and empresses of Joseon and the Korean Empire. It was built by the left side (east) of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1395 (the 4th year of King Taejo's reign) according to the precedent of "Jongmyo Shrine should be placed on the left side of the palace and Sajikdan Altar on the right" to move the capital to Hanyang after the founding of the Joseon in 1392.

Initially, there was only the Jeongjeon Shrine, where the five kings (the four ancestors of the reigning kings, including King Taejo, the founder of Joseon) were enshrined according to Confucian manners. However, during the King Sejong, Yeongnyeongjeon Hall was built to house the deities of kings who deviated from the four ancestors in a separate shrine. Later, during the King Yeonsangun, the system of enshrining the gods in Jongmyo Shrine was changed, and the gods were enshrined as an examples of Sesil, who continues to serve new shares in Jeongjeon Hall, and Jocheon, who moves new shares to Yeongnyeongjeon Hall. The criteria for determining a "Sesil" and "Jocheon" were set as a "Sesil" for kings who succeeded or had high merit, and a "Jocheon" for kings with a short line of succession or who had passed away or honored. As a result, Jeongjeon Hall and Yeongnyeongjeon Hall added additional rooms to enshrining deities several times, resulting in the current structure of 19 rooms in Jeongjeon Hall and 16 rooms in Yeongnyeongjeon Hall.

Jongmyo Shrine was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 for its well-preserved original structure and globally unique architectural style, and Jongmyo Shrine Jerye Ritual and Jongmyo Shrine Jeryeak Music were registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Currently, Jongmyo Shrine Ritual is held every May and November.