Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace, Gangneung
Birthplace site, cultural heritage material · Data as of
At the birthplace of Heo Nanseolheon in Gangneung you can see, free of charge, a tall gate (soseul daemun) and the layout of a scholar-aristocrat’s hanok, together with a memorial hall and memorial park. The house was restored in 2001 on the site where Heo Nanseolheon, a woman poet of the Joseon period, was born, and it is designated Gangwon-do Cultural Heritage Material. Past the pine forest, the main hall, the men’s quarters and the women’s quarters stand behind the tall gate and low walls, and portraits of Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon are enshrined inside. The memorial park is always open, the memorial hall and tea-ware experience hall are open from 9:00 to 18:00, and it is closed on Mondays. For inquiries, call +82-33-640-4798.
- Location
- 강원특별자치도 강릉시 난설헌로193번길 1-16 (초당동)
- Opening hours
- Memorial park always open; memorial hall and tea-ware experience hall 9:00 to 18:00 (break 12:00 to 13:00); traditional tea experience hall 12:00 to 17:00
- Closed
- Mondays, January 1, and Seollal and Chuseok days
- Admission
- Free
- Contact
- +82-33-640-4798
- Restrooms
- Available
Official information page (Korean)
What is the Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace?
Short answer: A scholar-aristocrat’s hanok restored in 2001 on the site where Heo Nanseolheon, a woman poet of the Joseon period, was born. It is Gangwon-do Cultural Heritage Material.
Heo Nanseolheon was the elder sister of Heo Gyun, the author of Hong Gildong jeon. She showed remarkable talent for poetry from the age of 8, but lived an unhappy life and died at 27. After her death, her younger brother Heo Gyun collected some of her works and published them as Nanseolheon-jip.
Besides the house, the Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Hall and a memorial park have been created here, so you can see them all in one visit.
What are the opening hours and admission fee?
Short answer: Admission is free. The memorial park is always open, the memorial hall and tea-ware experience hall are open from 9:00 to 18:00 (break 12:00 to 13:00), and the traditional tea experience hall from 12:00 to 17:00.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 강원특별자치도 강릉시 난설헌로193번길 1-16 (초당동) |
| Opening hours | Memorial park always open; memorial hall and tea-ware experience hall 9:00 to 18:00 (break 12:00 to 13:00); traditional tea experience hall 12:00 to 17:00 |
| Closed | Mondays, January 1, and Seollal and Chuseok days |
| Admission | Free |
| Contact | +82-33-640-4798 |
| Restrooms | Available |
It is closed on Mondays, January 1, and Seollal and Chuseok days. The memorial hall takes a break from 12:00 to 13:00, so avoid that time.
What should I see here?
Short answer: Pass through the tall gate to see the layout of the main hall and the men’s and women’s quarters, then the plum tree in the yard and the portraits inside the house.
Behind the tall gate and low walls, the main hall, the men’s quarters and the women’s quarters are neatly arranged. Next to the well and the mill there is a separate narrow door that women used, which clearly shows how the spaces for men and women were divided.
Portraits of Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon are enshrined inside the house, and a plum tree grows in the yard.
Where can I stay near Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace?
Short answer: The closest is 경포 그곳에가면 (pension), about 7 min walk. These are the 3 closest stays within 1 km.
| Stay | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 경포 그곳에가면 | Pension | 523 m | About 7 min walk |
| 스테이 니와 | Hostel | 529 m | About 7 min walk |
| 테레인바이더블류(Terrain by W) | Pension | 560 m | About 7 min walk |
Distances are straight-line distances, so the actual route may be longer; walking times assume 80 m per minute. Select a stay to open its page (in Korean) with check-in times and nearby restaurants and cafés. Property names are shown as officially registered in Korean.
Where can I eat or get coffee near Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace?
Short answer: 5 restaurants between 116 m and 243 m, and 5 cafés between 184 m and 429 m, listed from the closest.
| Restaurant | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 토담순두부 | Korean | 116 m | About 1 min walk |
| 다송가든 | Korean | 156 m | About 2 min walk |
| 초당화 | Korean | 177 m | About 2 min walk |
| 패티김 | Western | 203 m | About 3 min walk |
| 정은숙초당순두부 | Korean | 243 m | About 3 min walk |
| Café | Type | Signature menu | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 동해기정카페 초당점 | Café | 카스테라버무리, 한판기정(30조각) | 184 m | About 2 min walk |
| 강릉초당두부티라미수 | Bakery café | 강릉초당두부크림라떼, 오션 티라미수, 강릉초당두부티라미수 | 237 m | About 3 min walk |
| 그리우니 | Café | 순두부커피, 그리우니라떼 | 312 m | About 4 min walk |
| 롱브레드 초당점 | Brunch café | 아포가토, 아메리카노 | 316 m | About 4 min walk |
| 커피드립퍼 | Roastery, specialty coffee | 콘 초코 라떼, 드리퍼 수제 팥빙수 (2인분) | 429 m | About 5 min walk |
Select a name to open its page on our restaurant or café guide (in Korean). The small dots on the map also show nearby places that are not in the tables.
See it on the map
The large purple pin is Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace. Tap a pin to see its name and distance.
What else is there to see near Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace?
Short answer: The closest is Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest (about 1 min walk), and there are 5 attractions within 4 km.
| Attraction | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest | Pine forest | 1 m | About 1 min walk |
| Gyeongpoho Lake | Lake, migratory bird habitat | 854 m | About 11 min walk |
| Gangmun Beach | Beach | 884 m | About 11 min walk |
| Gyeongpodae Pavilion | Pavilion, Treasure, Scenic Site | 1.2 km | About 1.2 km (straight line) |
| Gyeongpo Beach | Swimming beach | 1.3 km | About 1.3 km (straight line) |
Who is Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace good for?
- Anyone who wants to see how a Joseon scholar-aristocrat’s hanok separated spaces for men and women
- Those who want to hear the stories of Heo Nanseolheon and Heo Gyun on site
- Anyone looking for a free walk through a hanok and a pine forest
Check before you go
- Check the memorial hall’s midday break
- Check the Monday closing
Checklist
- Avoid Mondays and Seollal and Chuseok days
- Avoid the memorial hall break from 12:00 to 13:00
- Pick nearby restaurants and cafés on the map in advance
Photos of Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace
Frequently asked questions
How much is admission?
It is free.
When is it closed?
It is closed on Mondays, January 1, and Seollal and Chuseok days. The memorial hall takes a break from 12:00 to 13:00.
Who was Heo Nanseolheon?
A woman poet of the Joseon period and the elder sister of Heo Gyun, the author of Hong Gildong jeon. She showed a talent for poetry from the age of 8 and died at 27.
Where is the closest place to stay near Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace?
Pension 경포 그곳에가면 is the closest (about 7 min walk). Its page, in Korean, shows the check-in time and nearby restaurants and cafés.
Things to do in Gangneung
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Sources
- Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI, Korean-language tourist information (attraction details) · Korea Tourism Organization · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
- Official information page · Operator · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
Fees, hours and closing days can change. Please check with the site before you visit.