Beijing Tourist Attractions and the Tour’s Impression of the Joseon Envoys in the Early Joseon Dynasty

Joseon envoys, during their approximately 40-day stays in Beijing in the late 15th century, consistently toured significant cultural and religious sites, including the Temple of Confucius, the Temple of Heaven, and the Temple of Ancient Monarchs. These tours, which became a habitual part of their official visits since 1534 under the Ming Dynasty, revealed both cultural homogeneity and encounters with alien cultures to the Joseon people. While the Temple of Confucius and the Temple of Ancient Monarchs reinforced cultural connections, sites like Chao tian gong exposed them to Taoism and Buddhist influences. The envoys also expressed admiration for Beijing's splendid architecture and scenery but critiqued Ming customs, indicating a nuanced perception that did not idealize the Ming Dynasty over time.

Koo, D. Y. (2019). Beijing Tourist Attractions and the Tour’s Impression of the Joseon Envoys in the Early Joseon Dynasty. The Korean Historical Review, 244, 157–193. https://doi.org/10.16912/tkhr.2019.12.244.157