Seomgye Seowon: Home to a 500-Year-Old Ginkgo Tree Natural Monument in Gimcheon
Are you looking for places to visit in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do?
This article introduces Seomgye Seowon and the 500-year-old ginkgo tree, a natural monument located behind the Seowon, known as the Geumneung Joryong-ri Ginkgo Tree.
Seomgye Seowon is a Seowon (Korean private academy) from the late Joseon Dynasty, located in Joryong-ri, Daedeok-myeon, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
It was established to honor the loyalty of Baekchon Kim Mun-gi, a civil official from the early Joseon period and one of the three loyal subjects who remained faithful even after King Danjong's deposition.
Joryong-ri, where Seomgye Seowon is located, is also known as a clan village of the Gimnyeong Kim clan, with Kim Mun-gi as their founding ancestor.
Currently, it is continuously managed and repaired by descendants and has been designated as Gyeongsangbuk-do Monument No. 160 due to its value as an educational site.
During my visit, construction was in progress, so I could only view it from beyond the fence.
But don't be disappointed just yet!
The reason Seomgye Seowon is considered a must-visit place in Gimcheon lies elsewhere.
If you go around the left side of the Seowon, there is a path that goes up along the fence.
If you go up this path, you can see the Geumneung Joryong-ri Ginkgo Tree.
This lush tree is the Geumneung Joryong-ri Ginkgo Tree.
Estimated to be 500 years old, it boasts a majestic appearance with a height of 28m, a chest height circumference of 11.6m, and a root circumference of 13.36m.
When you get closer, you can feel overwhelmed by the grandeur of the branches and knots extending in all directions.
Considering its cultural background and its estimated age of 500 years, this ginkgo tree was designated as Natural Monument No. 300 on November 9, 1982.
When I visited in mid-November for coverage, only the upper part of the tree was turning yellow.
Perhaps a little later, the countless leaves will be colored with autumn foliage, creating a more beautiful scene.
Although some of the main branches had broken off over the years, it still showed off its magnificent figure.
And judging from the many ginkgo nuts that had fallen on the ground, it was still in good health.
This article introduced Seomgye Seowon and the Geumneung Joryong-ri Ginkgo Tree located behind it as places to visit in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
I recommend taking a light trip during the fall when the autumn foliage is in full swing.
*This location was visited on November 9, 2025 (Sunday).
Written and photographed by Min Ga-hee, 2025 Gyeongsangbuk-do SNS Supporter.
*This post was directly covered and written by the Gyeongsangbuk-do SNS Supporters and was posted after confirmation by Gyeongsangbuk-do.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeongbuk_official/224078984651
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