Byeongsan Seowon

Gyeongsangbuk-do


This Confucian seowon (서원; academy) from 1572 is set in leafy surrounds arranged with a typical sense of Confucian balance, with the main hall and flanking side-halls a definitive nod to good pungsu-jiri (feng shui) in their location facing the river and backing onto hills, maximising the concentration of gi (기), more familiar in the West as the immediately related Chinese word 'qi' or 'chi'.

Three buses (₩1300) from Andong to Hahoe continue daily to Byeongsan Seowon, at 8.30am, 11.40am and 3pm (from Hahoe), returning at 9.10am, 12.10pm and 3.40pm. Otherwise you will need to walk (40 minutes).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Gyeongsangbuk-do attractions

1. Hahoe Mask Museum

1.51 MILES

This museum, near the main entrance and bus drop-off point, houses a remarkable collection of traditional Korean masks (탈), as well as masks from across…

2. Presbyterian Church

1.76 MILES

With its skilfully-made grey brick spire, this small church is a reminder of the pervasive presence of Christianity even in the smallest of communities.

3. Hahoe Folk Village

1.84 MILES

This delightful traditional riverside village – a Unesco World Heritage site – is a place to commune with the traditional fabric of old Korea and, in the…

4. Goddess Samsin Tree

1.92 MILES

Quite a sight, this huge 600-year-old Zelkova tree stands at the heart of the village, inhabited by a goddess (or three goddesses in one, as the name…

5. Buyongdae Cliff

1.97 MILES

This cliff on the far side of the river affords spectacular views over the village. Take the ferry (₩4000) from the small beach by the Mansongjeong Pine…

6. Mansongjeong Pine Forest

2 MILES

This long and thin copse of pine trees alongside the river serves as a windbreaker. It faces the Buyongdae Cliff and leads to a stretch of sand alongside…

7. Soju Museum

8.75 MILES

The heady 45% soju (local vodka) of Andong may not be to your taste, but its significance has been preserved with its designation as an intangible…

8. Jebiwon Seokbul

9.76 MILES

The body and robes of this Buddha are carved on a boulder over 12m high – on top of which are the head and hair, carved out of two separate pieces of rock…