Along Gyeongpoho Lake: Encountering the Joseon Dynasty
7 stops · 6 hours
Gyeongpoho Lake in Gangneung is one of the region's must-see scenic spots. It is a place alive with the history and many figures of the Joseon Dynasty, as well as being home to Gyeongpo Beach. On this journey, you can quietly take in Joseon-era architecture, including Gyeongpodae Pavilion, the birthplace of Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon in Chodang-dong (famous for chodang sundubu, or handmade tofu), the Maewoldang Memorial Hall, Seongyojang - a traditional 99-kan house, Banghaejeong Pavilion, and Haeunjeong Pavilion.
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Distance
- 9km
Along the way
- 1Seongyojang House
선교장
Seongyojang is the best-preserved and most dignified house of the yangban (noble) class remaining in Gangwon-do. Located about 4km from downtown Gangneung toward Gyeongpo, Seongyojang represents the residences of the upper class during the Joseon Dynasty and has been designated Important Folklore Material No. 5. When Gyeongpoho Lake was larger than it is today, this village was called Baedari Village (meaning 'crossing by boat'), and the name Seongyojang derives from this. MoreLess
- 2
Sim Sang-jin House, Gangneung
강릉 심상진가옥
This house has a square ('ㅁ'-shaped) layout without a main gate. Its exact construction date is unknown, but it is presumed to have been built in the 17th century, and it shares a wall with Haeunjeong Pavilion. The main hall (anchae) features napdori-style framing (a type of structure where the rafters rest on beams set at a right angle) with a single-layered eave and a hip-and-gable roof, forming a five-bay-wide, two-bay-deep floor plan. MoreLess
- 3Gyeongpodae Pavilion
경포대
Gyeongpodae is one of the Eight Scenic Views of Gwandong, a pavilion on a hill on the northern shore of Gyeongpoho Lake. It was built in 1326 (the 13th year of King Chungsuk of Goryeo) by Park Suk-jeong, a Gangwon-do official, on the former site of Inwolsa Temple behind what is now Banghaejeong Pavilion. It consists of 48 pillars in total and has a three-dimensional floor plan with varying floor heights. The pavilion is surrounded by pine and oak trees that create an elegant, atmospheric setting. Gyeongpodae and the surrounding lake were designated a Gangwon-do Provincial Park in 1981, and along the coast lies the famous Gyeongpo Beach, 6km long. MoreLess
- 4Chodang Halmeoni Sundubu
초당할머니순두부
When people think of tofu, they immediately think of Chodang tofu - and it was Grandmother Park Eung-sun, founder of the restaurant Chodang Halmeoni Sundubu ('Chodang Grandmother's Sundubu'), who made the biggest contribution to spreading Chodang tofu's fame nationwide. Today her son, Kim Yeong-hwan, continues the tradition. Chodang tofu has traditionally been coagulated using seawater as a coagulant, which, unlike ordinary coagulants, gives it a softer, nuttier flavor that is truly exceptional. Visitors who come to see Gyeongpo Beach nearby or the sunrise at Jeongdongjin often stop by early in the morning for breakfast or simply to enjoy this local specialty, keeping the restaurant busy from early morning onward. * Chodang Halmeoni Sundubu: 033-652-2058 MoreLess
- 5Birthplace and Memorial Hall of Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon (Lee Gwang-no House, Gangneung)
허균, 허난설헌생가와 기념관(강릉 이광노 가옥)
Located in Chodang-dong, Gangneung, this is the birthplace of the brilliant poet Heo Nanseolheon. The site includes a spacious garden and a main house built in a square layout, surrounded by dense pine forest, making it a pleasant place for a quiet walk or reflection. Every October, a cultural festival commemorating the site, the 'Heo Gyun & Heo Nanseolheon Festival,' is held here, and nearby is Chodang Tofu Village, known for its local specialty. MoreLess
- 6Gyeongpo Beach
경포해변
Gyeongpo Beach has a 1.8km-long sandy shore with an average depth of 1-2m, and its moderate depth and gentle slope draw large crowds every year. The surrounding pine forest allows visitors to enjoy both swimming and forest bathing at the same time, making it an ideal summer destination. Every summer, a Summer Night Arts Festival is held on Gyeongpo Beach's permanent outdoor stage, offering a variety of cultural attractions. With Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks nearby, visitors can also explore mountains, valleys, and the sea all in one area. MoreLess
- 7
Chamsori Museum (Chamsori Gramophone & Edison Science Museum)
참소리 박물관(참소리축음기&에디슨과학박물관)
The Chamsori Museum consists of two specialized museums centered around the theme of sound: the Gramophone Museum and the Edison Science Museum. The Chamsori Gramophone Museum has four independent exhibition halls organized by type of item on display, along with a dedicated music listening room of about 330 square meters, and on the third floor there is an observation deck where visitors can enjoy the view of Gyeongpoho Lake. MoreLess
Source: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI) · Machine-translated