September in Gangneung - Seongyojang Hanok House [Day 4]

Let's travel back to the old Joseon Dynasty through the gates of these two historical residences in Gangneung~~~

Seongyojang (선교장)

After decided Gangneung as one of our destinations, I  browsed on tourist attractions to visit from KTO's website. Somehow, I was summoned to this ancient, gigantic and picturesque Seongyojang!

Imagine myself walking around Hwallaejeong in my previous life.

Upss... pardon me in this Gisaeng costume, should be in normal Hanbok (for servant?)
 

 or maybe match with this Fusion Hanbok from MoranBaepil?

OMG!!!  It's so unbelievable and so excited when I read that visitors are welcome to stay overnight in this 300 years National Treasure Hanok House! Thank you! I can finally stop imagine myself staying in this residence in my previous life .ㅋㅋㅋ

FYI, drama Hwang Jin-Yi (황진이), Princess Hours Gung (궁) and Princess’ Man (공주의남자) were filmed in Seongyojang.

Do check out these links for filming location of Korean Drama Gung (궁): Unhyeongung (운현궁) Royal Palace | Gyeongju Anapji Pond (안압지) | Gyeonggijeon (경기전) | Jeonju Sago (전주 사고)

I quickly went to Seongyojang's website (in Korean language) and selected (행랑채1~5 정보) room that fit 4 people. A big thanks to BnBHero assisted us to reserve the room, although that's not their regular service...

Interesting information about Seongyojang...

 In 1703, Mugyeong Lee Naebeon, the 11th descendent of Prince Hyoryeong,
a brother of King Sejong, build this vast 99-kan house.
(Kan: traditional measurement that corresponds to the space between two columns)
Until now, the descendants of Naebeon Lee still residing here.

  

In the past, the site was accessed by a boat that crossed Gyeongpoho Lake,
hence its name Seongyojang, which literally means a "Boat-Bridging House," 

using the Chinese characters "seon" for boat, "gyo" for bridge and "jang" for house.

Despite the passage of over 300 years, the original architecture is very well preserved,

and has been designated as the important Folklore National Treasure No. 5.

 

Seongyojang [선교장] is comprised of several buildings, including a main quarter,

a detached house, Hwallaejeong [활래정], Yeolhwadang [열화당], Haengnangchae [행랑채]
and breathtaking garden called the 'Garden of Four Seasons.

Haengnangchae (행랑채) in particular, is used as a Guesthouse for travellers and guests. Yeonhwadang (열화당), the most beautifully decorated part of the house, and ideal area to receive guests. It is currently being used as a library. It's frequently used as a backdrop for historical dramas including drama ‘Hwang Jin-Yi’.

Interestingly, every single part of the house has both symbolic meaning and a practical function

Seongyojang has a slightly different structure to it compared to other Traditional Hanok Houses.

* Master quarters and inner quarters are positioned parallel to one another.

* The two quarters have their own gates for the convenience of visitors.

* The gate to the inner quarters, located in front of a well, was designed to provide residents with the utmost privacy.

Picturesque Hwallaejeong was built in 1816 has 'ondol' (Korean underfloor heating)

is located just beside the main entrance.

Hwallaejeong Pavilion served as a tea room for guests.
It's a nice place to enjoy the beauty of the lotus flower filled pond in front of the building.
Lotus Pond is an important component in Korean garden.

We received an unexpected email from Seongyojang on our second day in Seoul. It's actually informing that SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) will be recoding in Seongyojang for Chuseok program. They would like us to participate and  take a little part for the program as foreign visitors in Seongyojang. We agreed to it... will post about it in separate article.

 

Since it's nearby Ojukheon House, we stopped by Seongyojang to make payment for room booking. From the staff, we're told to arrive in Seongyojang around 6:00 pm tomorrow for the recording. 

Then, I decided to have a stroll inside Seongyojang, so tomorrow we'll have more time for touring from Gangneung to Samcheok. The kind staff  waived our admission fees, although we're only staying in this Hanok house tomorrow.

 

The guide explaining some details of Seongyojang to a group of local tourists.

Visitors can experience various Cultural Programs such as Traditional Tea Ceremony, Plaque rubbing experience, making traditional Korean cookies, making rice cakes (tteok), Seongpyeon,  and also playing Traditional Games. It'll be free admission for those using the Traditional Culture Experience Center.

Please reserve in advance if you want to eat delicious Hanjeongsik (한정식) at Seongyojang, as preparation for the meal is needed for this full-course traditional Korean meal.

   

Traditional Cultural Experiences in Seongyojang

Related Posts: 
~  [Yeongju] Museom Hanok Village (영주 무섬마을)
~  [Yeongju] Seonbichon Village (선비촌)
~  Jeonju Hanok Village
~  [Seoul] Bukchon Hanok Village