Byeongsan Seowon is a Confucian school in Andong, Korea,  first established in 1613 during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897).

Even though I lived in Andong for a year, I never made it out there because it is almost impossible to reach unless you have a car.  It is just a few kilometers away from the UNESCO site Hahoe Village, but only two buses per day make it up the winding dirt road to Byeongsan.

It is much less famous than Andong’s other Confucian school, Dosan Seowon, I’m guessing because Dosan was set up by Yi Hwang, Korea’s most notable Confucian scholar.

However, despite not being as famous as Dosan Seowon, it is much more beautiful.

A large part of me has become immune to sites like this.  I’ve seen so many traditional Korean buildings, I think I could build one in my sleep.  But then I come to a place like Byeongsan Seowon and I’m blown away.

In front of the school is a beautiful beach and river.  The school sits up on a hill surrounded by gorgeous mountains and nothing else.  It’s simply breathtaking.

Also, because it is so hard to get to (and because it was FREEZING) there was hardly anyone there.  Which, since I dislike people, I loved.

Here are some photos of the school and the sunset by the river.  You can see the full set here.

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In the 3rd month of Adam’s stay in Korea during his 29th year of life, he visited Dosan Seowon. (I’m sorry, I’m sorry; I couldn’t resist… I’ve read so many Korean history markers.)

Dosan Seowon was one of the premier Confucian academy’s.  It was established in 1574 “during the 7th year of King Seonjo’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty” by disciples of Lee Hwang (pen name Toegye).

Lee Hwang was born in 1501 and is considered to be one of the two most prominent Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

Dosan Seowon is actually located in the town I’m living in now.  It’s one of the reasons Andong’s tagline is the “Capitol of the Korean Spirit.”  And while I won’t pass judgment on said tagline, I do find it cool that this little town has so much history.

Here’s the photos (full set here)… click on the picture to get more information.

the path to the academy

the river that flows in front of the academy

student dormitories

from the front of the student dorms

the two rooves on the right are the two libraries; the building on the left is another dormitory

from the central walkway

one of the libraries

walkway up to the servants quarters

a stele commemorating the place for civil service examinations

the courtyard outside of the academy

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When I finally arrived in Gyeongju, I walked straight toward Cheomseongdae Observatory.

Reason #1: It is considered to be the first astonomical observatory in East Asia.

Reason #2: It was built during Queen Seondeok‘s reign (632 A.D. – 647 A.D.), and given that women would be pushed down the ladder a bit when Confucianism really took off in the Joseon Dynasty… I gotta support the queens when I can — there were only 3 (1, 2, and 3).

The observatory was 16.97 feet in diameter and 30.84 feet in height. It was filled with soil and pebbles up to the square opening where an observer could enter and ascend to the top.

One of the best parts of every thing in Korea is the landscaping.

It wouldn't be a tourist destination without the chance to your own Korean tchotchkes.

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