Traditional residence welcoming people for 300 years
Gangneung Seongyojang House
This is a typical upper class residence of the Joseon period. Measuring 99 kans (traditional unit of measurement for the space between two pillars), this is the largest traditional Korean house that has been well preserved for approximately 300 years. The anchae (the main quarters) was first constructed in 1703, then was extended through more than ten generations. This includes the construction of Hwallaejeong Pavilion, Dongbyeoldang (east detached quarters), Seobyeoldang (west detached quarters), Yeonjidang Hall and Yeolhwadang Hall. The name of the house, which combines seon (boat) and gyo (bridge), originated from the fact that a boat was needed to reach the house since at the time of its initial construction, Gyeongpoho Lake extended right up to the house.
Despite the size of the mansion, its main gate is rather modest, similar to that of a commoner’s house. Under the signboard that reads “Wolhamun,” a poem (“A bird falls asleep on a tree by the pond, and a monk knocks on the door under the moonlight.”) hangs on the two pillars holding the door. This reflects the owner’s thoughtfulness and consideration to any traveler who needs a place to rest. As such, Gangneung Seongyojang House was always prepared to welcome guests.
One of the common wishes among Confucian scholars who had an appreciation for the arts was to see the Geumgangsan Mountains and the “Eight Scenic Views of Gwandong,” currently Gangwon-do Province. Then the scholars would compose poems and other writings describing the beauty they had witnessed. Being located in Gangneung, which was on the way to these destinations, the house was visited by many renowned poets and writers of the time. In particular, Yeolhwadang Hall was used to accommodate highly literate and important guests. Built in 1815, Yeolhwadang has an awning, which is rarely seen in a hanok (traditional Korean house). A copper awning supported by octagonal pillars adorned with lotus flower-shaped decorations stands on a 4-sided foundation stone. This awning was a gift from the Russian Minister to Joseon, who stayed at Seongyojang, as a token of his gratitude.
Hwallaejeong Pavilion also adds to the beauty of Seongyojang House. The pavilion’s unique design, which has two pillars standing in the pond, resembles Buyongjeong Pavilion in Changdeokgung Palace’s Huwon Garden. Half of the pavilion’s structure stands on the pillars in the pond, and the interior is comprised of a lofted floor, an ondol (underfloor-heating) room, and a tearoom. In particular, the pavilion has doors on all four sides, without walls. If you open all the doors, you will be surrounded by the superb view of the pond and the pine forest. Behind the house is an old pine tree forest that existed long before the house was built. You can follow the forest trail that overlooks the sophisticated tiled roofs, fences, stone walls, and gates while enjoying the fresh scent and air of the forest.
TIP
Gangneung Seongyojang House offers traditional accommodations and various activities in which guests can experience traditional Korean cultures such as making tea confectionery, and woodcrafting such as making black bamboo flute, sotdae (thin totem poles with a carved bird on top), and jangseung (totem pole).
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
• Kim Siseup Memorial Hall
• Gangneung Haeunjeong House
• Ojukheon House & Municipal Museum
Address
63 Unjeong-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
Way
Taxi (10mins) from KTX Gangneung Station
Tel
033-648-5303
Admission
5,000won (free for overnight guests)
Website
knsgj.net
Time
Mar–Nov 09:00–18:00;
Dec–Feb 09:00–17:00
* Guided cultural tours are available in English, Chinese and Japanese.
Representative private garden of the Joseon Dynasty
Soswaewon Garden
Soswaewon Garden is a traditional private garden built and named by Yang Sanbo (1503–1557), an official and Confucian scholar of the early Joseon era. He built the garden to devote himself to studying during his life in seclusion. The name of the garden can be translated to “clean and refreshing.” Unlike other Asian gardens, traditional Korean gardens are known for their emphasis on natural beauty and use of the natural topography as is, without artificial intervention. Soswaeson Garden is in great harmony with the natural surroundings, such as the valleys and streams, and beautiful pavilions that blend naturally with the landscape were placed throughout the garden. In the past, many Confucian scholars and poets stayed here while sharing their knowledge and wrote poems, contributing to the development of the Confucian culture.
The thatched-roof pavilion at the entrance of the garden has a signboard that reads “Daebongdae.” The name can roughly be translated to “a place where one waits for the bonghwang (an oriental phoenix that symbolizes an important guest).” Legend says that this auspicious bird nests on foxglove trees and eats bamboo fruits, which is why such trees were planted around the pavilion. In particular, the small path toward Daebongdae Pavilion is lined with dense bamboo forests on both sides. The sound of the wind blowing through the bamboo trees and the chirping of birds will clear your mind.
Gwangpunggak Pavilion, one of the main buildings of Soswaewon, was specially designed to accommodate guests. As the name, which can be translated to “pavilion of refreshing wind on a clear day after the rain,” suggests, you can enjoy the refreshing wind from the valley if you open the deureoyeolgae1 doors on all three sides. You can sit in the middle of the pavilion and enjoy picturesque views around you.
Jewoldang House, standing at the highest spot in Soswaewon Garden, was built for the owner of the garden. It has a small room where the owner can read books all day long. As the name of the house can be translated to “the bright moon on the clear sky after the rain,” the house allows you to imagine a Confucian scholar sitting on the lofted floor in front of the small reading room, reciting a poem after studying all day long while enjoying the beautiful moonlit nightscape.
TIP
In the vicinity of Soswaewon Garden, Sigyeongjeong Pavilion, surrounded by mountains and rivers, houses the Gasa Poetry Hall. Gasa poetry is one of the literary genres of the Joseon Dynasty, and related artifacts are exhibited.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
• Juknokwon
• Metasequoia Road
• Mudeungsan National Park
• Gasa Poetry Hall
Address
17 Soswaewon-gil, Gasamunhak-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
Way
Taxi (40mins) from Gwangju Station
Tel
061-381-0115
Admission
2,000won
Website
www.soswaewon.co.kr
Time
Nov–Feb 09:00–17:00;
May–Aug 09:00–19:00;
Mar–Apr & Sept–Oct 09:00–18:00
Living history of Korean Buddhist architecture
Seonamsa Temple
In 2018, seven of Korea’s mountainside temples were registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list as “Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries of Korea.” Sansa means “a temple in the mountain,” which reflects the key feature of Korean temples as opposed to Chinese or Indian cave temples and Japanese temple gardens.
Since most Korean temples are located deep in the mountains, forest trails leading to these temples were created naturally. Such trails symbolized temporal and spatial distances from the sacred ground. Plus, they boast natural beauty, with the most beautiful ones found near Seonamsa Temple. While walking the trail to Seonamsa Temple, you will see superb views created by Seungseongyo Bridge and Gangseonnu Pavilion. The picturesque image of the pavilion reflected on the water under the bridge, which is referred to as “Rainbow Bridge2,” is also worth the visit.
If you walk uphill and pass Iljumun Gate, the time-honored temple buildings surrounded by the beautiful trees and flowers will unfold before your eyes. Variously sized buildings stand at different heights along the terrain, creating a superb view of elegantly curved roofs overlapping one another. Furthermore, you can take a leisurely walk up the stairs and the path along the old tile topped stone wall to enjoy the temple’s tranquil and cozy ambiance.
If you walk uphill and pass Iljumun Gate, the time-honored temple buildings surrounded by the beautiful trees and flowers will unfold before your eyes. Variously sized buildings stand at different heights along the terrain, creating a superb view of elegantly curved roofs overlapping one another. Furthermore, you can take a leisurely walk up the stairs and the path along the old tile topped stone wall to enjoy the temple’s tranquil and cozy ambiance.
Seonamsa Temple is also known for its beautiful flowers in addition to its architectural beauty. The flowers in the temple area bloom in different colors during different seasons so you can enjoy the colorful scenery of the temple any time of year.
As such, Seonamsa Temple is considered the most beautiful and the representative temple of Korea by many.
