Feeling the Old Scholars Elegance at Suseungdae | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

This place was a border area between Silla and Baekje during the Three Kingdoms period and belonged to Anui-hyeon in the Joseon era before being incorporated into Geochang-gun during Japanese administrative reorganization, continuing to the present. Suseungdae originated as Susongdae (愁送臺), named with characters meaning 'worry' and 'send off,' because Baekje envoys sent to Silla did not return during their conflict. Susongdae implied a place so beautiful it made worldly worries vanish and is sometimes likened to Buddhist names. Later, during King Jungjong’s reign, scholar Yosoo Shin Gwon (樂水 愼權) retired here, established Guyeon Seodang (龜淵書堂) to teach disciples, and named the cave-shaped rock formation Amgudae (岩龜臺), with the surrounding area called Guyeondong (龜淵洞). In 1543, scholar Toegye Yi Hwang (退溪 李滉), while touring Samdong in Anui-hyeon and staying in Marimyeon Yeungseung-ri, heard this history and, unable to visit due to urgent official duties, sent a four-line poem recommending the name be changed to Suseungdae (搜勝臺), meaning 'searching for scenic beauty,' inspired by the homophone and a carving by Yosoo Shin Gwon on the rock face. The site includes Guyeon Seowon (龜淵書院), shrine buildings, Naesammun (內三門), Gwansurou (觀水樓), Jeonsacheong (典祠廳), Yosujeong (樂水亭), Hamyangje (涵養齊), Jeongnyeo (旌閭), Sanggosujangbi (山高水長碑), historic site monuments, Amgudae (岩龜臺), all co-managed by Confucian scholars and the Geochang Shin clan’s Yosoo lineage. The pine forest, water, and rocks create outstanding scenery, and rare plants including Goranso grow naturally near Jagoam and the surrounding area.

돌담사이로는 거창군과 농촌진흥청이 지정한 농가맛집으로 화학조미료를 사용하지 않고, 덕유산 자연의 맛을 살려 음식을 준비하는 집으로 산나물 전문 음식점이다. * 문의/안내 : 055-941-1181

Hwangsan Village is a traditional hanok village located in Hwangsan-ri, Wicheon-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, opposite the Suseungdae National Tourist Complex. In 1540 (Joseon Jungjong 35), Master Yosu Shin Gwon retired here, established Guyunjae, and cultivated disciples, making the village a clan village of the Geochang Shin family. Guyunjae was renamed Guyun Seowon by the Sarim faction after Shin Gwon’s death in 1573 and enshrined him alongside Seokgok Seong Paeng-nyeon. The village prospered further when Noron scholar Hwanggo Shin Su-ui adopted here in mid-18th century during Joseon Yeongjo’s reign. Most houses date from late 19th to early 20th centuries, showcasing traditional hanok architectural styles of local gentry during the late Korean Empire and Japanese colonial periods. About 50 remaining hanoks include anchae and sarangchae, all tiled-roof houses, depicting a typical wealthy clan agricultural village. The village’s walls are built with large natural stones in a soil-stone wall style, with a 1.2 km-long curved traditional wall path harmonizing with the old houses, creating a very tranquil and cozy atmosphere. At the entrance stands a 15-meter high Zelkova tree called Anjeongjwa, estimated to be 600 years old. In the village center is the Geochang Hwangsan-ri Shin clan old house, rebuilt in 1927 over an older structure and also known as Wonhak Old House. It is designated as a Gyeongsangnam-do folk cultural heritage site and consists of anchae, sarangchae, jungmunchae, storage house, main gate, and back gate. The sarangchae is decorated with luxurious ornaments typically seen in palaces, reflecting the wealth of the landowner then. The anchae has been significantly renovated, showing deviation from traditional hanok style. While clean pensions and hotels are available at Suseungdae National Tourist Complex, experiencing traditional hanok life by walking to Hwangsan Traditional Hanok Village could be a valuable experience. Geochang has long been famed for its high mountains and clear waters. Enjoying water play in cool valleys by day and traditional hanok stay at Hwangsan Village by night makes it ideal for a summer vacation. Hwangsan Traditional Hanok Village is close to Deogyusan, Gayasan, and Jirisan, with nearby tourist attractions including Songgyesa Valley, Geochang Sculpture Park, Geumwonsan Natural Recreation Forest, Wolseong Valley, Geochang Museum, Hwage Temple, and Ssanggyesa Valley.

This is the house where the mid-Joseon Dynasty scholar Jeong On was born. His descendants rebuilt it in 1820 and enshrine Jeong On's spirit tablet in the shrine on the premises. The old house is located in a basin surrounded by high mountains, so despite being in the southern region, the cold is severe. It was built in the northern-style double-house form. Because it is near the Hoseo region where rainfall is frequent, the outer house's nunmaru (wooden veranda) was constructed with a double roof, which is architecturally unique and also called an eyebrow roof. The outer house is notable for decorating the angled section with a nunmaru and installing an eyebrow roof. Both the main house and outer house are composed in the double-house style typical of northern houses, but the foundation is low and the wooden porch is set high, characteristic of southern houses. These features contribute to the academic value of the house, making it an excellent resource for studying late Joseon yangban residences. It is designated as a National Folk Cultural Heritage and is generally open to the public, though access may be restricted due to the owner's personal circumstances.