A Stroll Through Namsan Yedam Village: A Glimpse into Korea's Scholarly Past
A stop on the way to a temple stay brought me to...
Namsan Yedam Village!
This old village retains the dignity of scholars.
It's known as a cradle of learning, where countless scholars passed the national civil service exam and brought honor to their families.
Like the 'Daechi-dong' of its time?! Haha.
Looking closely at the village, you can see the old houses of various clans still standing.
Some are preserved, while others are still inhabited by residents.
You'll find the old houses of the Ha, Jeong, Choi, and Lee clans.
There are also spots like Sayangjeongsa Pavilion and the Couple Trees, which have appeared in dramas.
I can see why they'd want to include it in a drama scene – every alley is so beautiful and heartwarming.
In 2011, it was selected as the #1 most beautiful village in Korea.
(The village is great, but there are also hidden gem restaurants inside.)
The entrance features a large sign welcoming tourists to Namsan Yedam Village.
A detailed map of the village is provided.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to explore beyond the Namsancheon Stream.
It seems like it would take quite a while to see everything, both above and below.
The reason?
There's a hidden gem restaurant here.
They have a wonderful lunch and a fantastic cafe, so you need to factor in enough time for that when you visit.
At my leisurely pace,
I'd recommend allowing at least 4 hours: 2 hours for food and tea, and 1.5 hours or more for sightseeing.
Perhaps it's because it's a village of scholars, but the restrooms aren't much different from other traditional houses.
I would have missed it if not for the picture.
It was clean and blended well with the surroundings, showing a lot of attention to detail.
If I remember correctly,
I saw the old houses of Choi, Lee, and Ha clans, followed by
lunch and tea time.
Then it was on to
the Couple Pagoda Trees and Sayangjeongsa Pavilion, and that was the end of my tour.
Because of the rain, I only saw the Jeong clan's old house from a distance and didn't go inside.
Every alley was so pretty.
What would have been even better is if it hadn't been raining,
and there were fluffy clouds in a clear sky.
But can travel ever really go exactly as you want?
I consider myself a weather fairy when I travel,
but I couldn't overcome the person who seems to bring drizzle along. (Same person as my travel companion in Japan! Second time with the drizzle.)
One thing I noticed while traveling was
that Hadong seems to have a lot of persimmons.
Persimmons hanging everywhere in every alleyway.
And so many persimmons had fallen to the ground!
They looked delicious.
I guess they leave them for the bugs and birds to eat.
This is the Sahyojae Chinese juniper.
The sign says it's 520 years old,
but it's probably even older.
My chubby hand making an appearance.
(Once again reflecting on the importance of angles.)
Stroking the Chinese juniper.
It's a little damp from the rain,
but I'm amazed that this tree has been standing in the same spot for over 500 years.
It must have been lonely,
or maybe it just looks that way because of the rain.
I also passed the Eojegaegungongsin Gyoseobi Stele and
several other steles.
(To be honest, I didn't read them all.)
There's a separate sign indicating that this is where a famous scene from the drama 'The Crowned Clown' was filmed.
Following the path.
There are photo zone markings on the ground.
The Couple Pagoda Trees stand majestically.
I wish I could have taken better pictures,
but I can't help but blame the rain.
The two pagoda trees are strangely intertwined, which is why they are called the Couple Trees.
I believe this is Lee clan's old house.
The large tree at the entrance is magnificent.
The interior seemed a bit more colorful than the other old houses.
Perhaps it was the brightly colored flowers that made it seem more vibrant.
Lycoris Radiata
Flowers
It is said that it is a legendary flower that is always longing because the flower and leaves can never meet each other throughout their lives.
It mainly grows in clusters in temples or open spaces.
Colorful and eye-catching.
This place is the most memorable.
Ha clan's old house.
How do I get in? Is this the right place?
That's what I wondered when I entered.
Someone was living there,
and it felt like seeing an old, large house.
A single-story hanok house with a wooden floor.
The charming doors made of Korean paper, the rafters on the ceiling, and the wide yard evoke memories.
After visiting the old houses, I explored every nook and cranny of the alleys that I hadn't been to yet.
There were many dead ends, but most of them were where residents lived.
A house with colorful flower pots from the entrance.
The dog was barking so much,
but when I looked again, it was just staring quietly.
Persimmons here.
Persimmons there.
Ripe persimmons rolling around on the ground.
Sayangjeongsa Pavilion.
This is one of the most famous places.
The meaning of Sayangjeongsa is a house for studying in a sunny place in 'Sasu', which meanders around the village.
In other words, it is said that the Jeong clan gathered here to hold meetings or study.
To be honest, I wondered why a seodang (village school) was so famous,
but it seems to be famous for its architecture itself.
Also, it is said to be the largest hanok in Namsan Yedam Village.
According to my travel companion,
she wants to buy this kind of house for her mother.
(My acquaintances are really filial daughters haha)
With a small garden in the front yard and a spacious and comfortable house,
I think it would be great if my acquaintance lived in this kind of house.
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