Hyanggyo (local Confucian school) is an educational institution from the Joseon era. It housed memorial tablets for esteemed Confucian scholars, such as Confucius and Mencius, and hosted commemorative services. Gangneunghyanggyo consists of traditional hanok buildings, including Daeseongjeon Shrine, used for rites; Myeongryundang Lecture Hall, a space for education; and the East (Dongjae) and West (Seojae) Dormitories, where students resided. Today, Seokjeon (rite to honor Confucius and Confucian scholars) is held every spring and fall.
Gangneung Hyanggyo is the earliest Hyanggyo recorded in historical documents in Korea and the only Hyanggyo that still enshrines the memorial tablets of sages worshipped during the Joseon Dynasty. Among its main buildings, Gangneung Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon, Gangneung Hyanggyo Myeongnyundang, Dongmu, Seomu, and Jeonrang have been designated as treasures. Among these, the Myeongnyundang located at the front was first built as a pavilion called 'Namru' in 1413 and underwent several renovations. It began to be used as an educational space called Myeongnyundang after a major restoration was completed in 1644. It is currently a building with 11 bays wide at the front and 2 bays deep, the largest Myeongnyundang among Korean Hyanggyo. Although the exact founding period is uncertain, it is generally known to have been established in the late Goryeo period to enshrine memorial tablets of classical Confucian scholars, provide secondary education regionally, and promote the moral education of the local people. After being destroyed, it was established in 1313 by Kim Seung-in, a local military official of Gangwon-do, under Hwabusang. After another destruction in 1411, it was rebuilt in 1413 by Lee Maeng-sang, magistrate of Gangneung, with the support of 68 local Confucian scholars. During the Joseon Dynasty, the state provided farmland, slaves, and books to support it, and instructors taught students. Currently, it no longer functions as an educational institution but holds Seokjeon rites in spring and autumn and incense offerings on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month. One Jeongyo and several Jangui manage its operations.
Gangneung Suwollae, a traveler platform located in Yucheon-dong beside the main gate of Gangneung Wonju University, provides various information on Gangneung accommodations, restaurants, and Bau-gil trails for free. It is housed in a remodeled former Yucheon-dong office building and serves as a space for Gangneung travelers. Always open for travelers, it offers simple snacks and coffee for self-service free of charge. Visitors can browse and purchase Gangneung souvenirs and goods, and enjoy various reading materials freely. It holds a full set of brochures needed for a Gangneung trip, enabling easy access to information about lodging, dining, and activities. A Gangneung travel expert is available on site to advise on schedules and travel routes. Additionally, there are free lockers for storing travel bags. Gangneung Suwollae also functions as a walking trail information center, with the 16th section of Gangneung Bau-gil, the Hakishi Wetland Trail, starting from here. Travelers wishing to walk Gangneung Bau-gil are highly recommended to visit Gangneung Suwollae at least once.
Gangneung Art Center was established in 1993 as Gangneung Culture and Arts Hall and is a complex cultural space where new values can be created. Aiming to expand opportunities for cultural enjoyment, it has grown as a cultural space for citizens through various performances, exhibitions, and art education programs. It features two performance halls and three exhibition rooms. The building's exterior and interior are planted with various flowers and plants, making it pleasant to visit. Visitors can enjoy and experience art directly at performances and exhibitions, including special art lectures and stage tours, catering to children, examinees, and families. It also operates an art education program called the Saturday Art Tasting Team.
Ojukheon House was where Yi I (penname Yulgok; scholar and politician of the Joseon Period) was born. It was built during the early Joseon dynasty and was designated as a Treasure in 1963 for its historical value.
Inside the house is Mongryongsil, where Yi I was born. The household complex also features the household shrine (Munseongsa), the sarangchae (men's quarters), Eojaegak Pavilion, Yulgok Memorial Hall, and Gangneung Municipal Museum. Since 1961, the city of Gangneung has held a memorial ceremony at Yulgok Memorial Hall from October 25 to 26.
The Gyeongpo Ecological Retention Basin was established to prevent loss of life and property from floods by creating a retention basin based on the basic river plan and comprehensive flood prevention measures due to concerns of river flooding during heavy rains. It is located between the famous spots of Ojukheon in Gangneung and Gyeongpo Lake. A walking trail has been created here for many people to enjoy and see. It is a famous healing spot in Gangneung where visitors can enjoy the scent of flowers; in spring, canola flower fields and cherry blossoms bloom brightly, while in autumn cosmos blooms across the wide fields creating a magnificent view. Another attraction is the opportunity to see migratory birds such as egrets, mallard ducks, and cranes.
