Photos of Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Korea

Gangneung is a city of around 230,000 inhabitants in Gangwon-do (Gangwon Province), on the east coast of South Korea. It has popular Gyeongpo Beach, many fish restaurants and, just inland from there, Gyeonpoho (Gyeongpo Lake). Unique is Gangneung’s Chamsori Gramophone Museum and Edison Science Museum. Both were founded by the collector Son Seongmok; it is the largest gramophone museum in the world.

Ojukheon is an important residence complex, preserved the way it was during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910); this residence, one of the oldest preserved houses in Korea, is the birthplace of the Confucian scholar Yulgok Yi Yi, who lived from 1536 to 1584. He is honoured here with his statue, as is Shin Saimdang, his mother, an artist, writer, calligraphist, noted poet, and considered a model of Confucian ideals.

Nearby is Gangneung Seongyojang House, a typical yangban (aristocrat) estate from the Joseon Dynasty era, built in 1703 and still occupied by the descendant of the founder. There are many splendidly preserved buildings, some made to receive guests, and Hwallejeong, a water pavilion; a perfect example of how a residence of the upper-class nobility was laid out.