Obong Seowon Confucian Academy, Gangneung
Confucian academy (seowon) · Data as of
Obong Seowon in Gangneung is a Confucian academy enshrining the spirit tablets of Confucius, Zhu Xi and Song Si-yeol. It is open from 9:00 to 18:00, every day of the year. It was first built in 1561, the 16th year of King Myeongjong of Joseon, after Gangneung Magistrate Ham Heon brought a portrait of Confucius from China in 1556, the 11th year of King Myeongjong. Abolished under Heungseon Daewongun’s decree against seowon, it was rebuilt in 1903, and today Jipseongsa, Chilbongsa, Obong Lecture Hall and the shrine stele pavilion remain. Jipseongsa holds the spirit tablets of Confucius, Zhu Xi and Song Si-yeol, and Chilbongsa holds that of Ham Heon. A tea ceremony (darye) experience is also offered; for inquiries, call the City of Gangneung Cultural Heritage Division at +82-33-640-5119.
- Location
- 강원특별자치도 강릉시 성산면 오봉서원길 28-7 (성산면)
- Opening hours
- 9:00 to 18:00
- Closed
- Open all year
- Admission
- Check on site
- Contact
- City of Gangneung Cultural Heritage Division, +82-33-640-5119
- Restrooms
- Available
Official information page (Korean)
What is Obong Seowon?
Short answer: A Confucian academy first built in 1561, prompted by the portrait of Confucius that Gangneung Magistrate Ham Heon brought back in 1556, the 11th year of King Myeongjong of Joseon.
Later it also enshrined Zhu Xi from 1782, the 6th year of King Jeongjo, and Song Si-yeol from 1806, the 6th year of King Sunjo, and it held rites for past sages and handled local education. Under Heungseon Daewongun’s decree against seowon it was abolished, and its portrait and spirit tablets were moved to Gangneung Hyanggyo.
What are the opening hours and admission fee?
Short answer: The official data gives no admission fee, so check on site. It is open from 9:00 to 18:00, every day of the year.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 강원특별자치도 강릉시 성산면 오봉서원길 28-7 (성산면) |
| Opening hours | 9:00 to 18:00 |
| Closed | Open all year |
| Admission | Check on site |
| Contact | City of Gangneung Cultural Heritage Division, +82-33-640-5119 |
| Restrooms | Available |
It is open from 9:00 to 18:00. The tea ceremony is offered as a hands-on program, so check the schedule at +82-33-640-5119. Memorial rites are held on the 2nd day of the 9th lunar month, so a visit around then may coincide with the event.
What should I see at Obong Seowon?
Short answer: See Jipseongsa, Chilbongsa, Obong Lecture Hall and the shrine stele pavilion, and look at how the lecture hall is used.
The present academy was rebuilt in 1903: local Confucian scholars of Gangneung built a shrine named Jipseongsa and, beside it, a separate shrine named Chilbongsa. Jipseongsa holds the spirit tablets of Confucius, Zhu Xi and Song Si-yeol, and Chilbongsa holds that of Ham Heon.
The lecture hall has a wooden-floored room and an ondol (heated-floor) room, and is used for events and as a place where Confucian scholars meet and debate learning. Memorial rites are held every year on the 2nd day of the 9th lunar month.
Official tour route information lists a route from Obong Seowon to Ojukheon and the City Museum, Seongyojang, Gyeongpodae, the Chamsori Museum and Sogeumgang. Facilities listed as open to visitors are Jipseongsa, Chilbongsa, Obong Lecture Hall, the shrine stele pavilion and the shrine stele.
Where can I eat or get coffee near Obong Seowon Confucian Academy?
Short answer: 5 restaurants between 244 m and 801 m, listed from the closest.
| Restaurant | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 제왕산순대국밥 | Korean barbecue | 244 m | About 3 min walk |
| 라보엠 | Western | 626 m | About 8 min walk |
| 성산설렁탕 옛날통닭 | Gukbap (rice soup) | 779 m | About 10 min walk |
| 성산능이칼국수 | Kalguksu (noodle soup) | 783 m | About 10 min walk |
| 금당가든 | Korean | 801 m | About 10 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 Obong Seowon Confucian Academy. Tap a pin to see its name and distance.
What else is there to see near Obong Seowon Confucian Academy?
Short answer: The closest is Gangneung Solhyang Arboretum (about 4.0 km (straight line)), and there are 1 attractions within 4 km.
| Attraction | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gangneung Solhyang Arboretum | Arboretum | 4.0 km | About 4.0 km (straight line) |
Who is Obong Seowon Confucian Academy good for?
- Anyone who wants to see the layout and shrine spaces of a Confucian academy
- Those exploring Confucian scholar culture together with Gangneung Hyanggyo
- Anyone looking for a quiet historic site
- Those who want to see an academy shrine honoring Confucius, Zhu Xi and Song Si-yeol together
Check before you go
- The official data gives no admission fee, so check on site
- Check the tea ceremony schedule with the contact number
- Around the memorial rite on the 2nd day of the 9th lunar month, your visit may coincide with the event
Checklist
- Enter before the 18:00 closing time
- Check the tea ceremony experience schedule
- Pick nearby restaurants and cafés on the map in advance
Photos of Obong Seowon Confucian Academy
Frequently asked questions
What are the opening hours of Obong Seowon?
It is open from 9:00 to 18:00, every day of the year.
Who is honored at Obong Seowon?
Jipseongsa enshrines the spirit tablets of Confucius, Zhu Xi and Song Si-yeol, and Chilbongsa that of Ham Heon.
What facilities does it have?
Jipseongsa, Chilbongsa, Obong Lecture Hall, the shrine stele pavilion and the shrine stele. The lecture hall has a wooden-floored room and an ondol room and is used for events and scholarly debate.
When are memorial rites held?
Every year on the 2nd day of the 9th lunar month.
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.