By Honorary Reporter Lalien Guillen from Philippines
Photos = Lalien Guillen

Yangdong Village in the historical city of Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, is packed with over 500 years of history, cultural heritage, national treasures and folklore. It was designated UNESCO World Heritage in 2010.

The village was home to two prominent clans of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910): the Wolseong Sons from Gyeongju and the Yeogang Yis from Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do Province. Yangdong is also the biggest clan village in Korea with over 150 traditional buildings such as houses, shrines, pavilions and seowon (neo-Confucian academies). 

The village residents have preserved and still perform the traditional rituals and customs of yangban (ruling class).

Yangdong Village is surrounded by beautiful nature.

On July 17, I visited the village and it felt like time travel. Near the entrance is a little museum with artifacts used by yangban families of the village as well as other items like calligraphy, personal items, dioramas. I also passed by on the way to the village Yangdong Elementary School, which is still running in its 113th year.

At the end of the school was a shabby-looking store but it was the oldest of its kind that I've visited in Korea. How incredible that this store still runs after over a century.

The store Yangdong Jeombang is over a century old but continues operating.

I visited all the homes in the village open to the public. Each house had its own features and history, and my favorites were Songcheom Head House, Mucheomdang House and Hyangdan House.

Songcheom was home to the founder of the Son clan, Son So. Built in 1484 during the 15th year of King Seongjong's reign, the house is considered a major resource for studying homes from the early Joseon era.

My favorite sight here was the Juniper tree Hyangnamu (Aromatic Tree) planted in the yard. Designated Gyeongsangbuk-do Natural Monument No. 8, this evergreen tree is believed to have been planted while the main house was being built. 

The gorgeous Juniper tree Hyangnamu (Aromatic Tree) at Songcheom Head House dates back to the construction of the home in 1484. 

Hyangdan House, the biggest home in the village is easily visible even from a distance. It was given to neo-Confucian scholar Yi Eon-jeok, a member of the Yi clan, by King Jungjong. Yi served as governor of Gyeongsang-do province and mayor of Seoul, which was called Hanseong at the time. 

The most distinctive features of Hyangdan are its two courtyards and a single building that housed all quarters instead of having separate facilities for men, women and servants.

Hyangdan House is designated National Treasure No. 412.

Visiting Yangdong Village was truly a trip back in time to the early to mid-Joseon eras and made me fall in love even more with Korean culture and history.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.