Visit Gangneung Seongyojang House to see where the noble Naebeon Lee family lived for almost a century. Parts of this beautiful building are as much as 300 years old. It is a stunning example of old-style Korean architecture. The level of opulence in the design gives some insight into the lives led by the upper classes of the past. Stay overnight to get even more value out of your visit.
Walk past the picturesque pond filled with beautiful floating lotus blooms and enter the house. Stop to admire the ornate building that rises from behind the pond. The courtyard contains about 100 individual rooms and structures. Explore as many as you can. Be sure to stop at the impressive “Yeolhwadang” building, which was once home to the patriarch of the family and carries great prestige.
Other spaces to visit include the “Seobyeoldang” (library) and the “Hwallaejeong”(pavilion). With so much rich detail here, from precise geometric windows to dark wood paneling, it is no wonder that the Gangneung Seongyojang House makes regular appearances as a set in South Korean TV productions. Linger over the museum exhibits contained within some of the buildings to see the house’s past brought to life.
Enjoy lunch at the wonderful on-site restaurant, which serves tasty Korean classics. Consider staying overnight. Book ahead to sleep in the simple traditional bedroom reserved for guests seeking a “hanok stay,” or a stopover in a traditional Korean house.
There is a fee to enter the house. Stay overnight in the coastal city of Gangneung or come as part of a daytrip from Seoul. Anmok Beach with its characterful Coffee Street is another good spot to add to your Gangneung itinerary. The South Korean capital is about 3 hours away by public transportation. Buses run regularly on this route.
