Sosu Seowon & Seonbichon
소수서원·선비촌
Korea's first Confucian academy (1543) and the first to receive a royal name plaque, Sosu Seowon was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 and sits beside Seonbichon, a village that recreates scholar life.
Sosu Seowon is located in Sunheung-myeon, Yeongju. It was founded in 1543 by Ju Se-bung, the magistrate of Punggi County, under the original name Baegundong Seowon. In 1550, King Myeongjong bestowed the name plaque 'Sosu Seowon,' making it Korea's first seowon and the first to receive a royal name plaque. In 2019, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the 'Korean Neo-Confucian Academies.' Hundreds of old pine trees and the Jukgye Stream surround the academy, giving it a quiet, serene setting. The single-ticket Seonbichon village recreates the homes of Joseon-period scholars and commoners, where visitors can stay in traditional hanok houses and try traditional games. Nearby, the Sosu Seowon Museum explains the academy's educational traditions. Admission is about 3,000 won. Hours are 09:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 in winter). It is about 45 km from Andong and can be combined with Buseoksa for a day trip.
Opening hours
09:00–18:00 (until 17:00 Nov–Feb)
Nearby sights
- Buseoksa Temple
- Bongjeongsa Temple
- Confucian Culture Museum (Korean Studies Advancement Center)
- Dosan Seowon
- Ocheon Gunja Village
- Jebiwon Stone Buddha (Icheon-dong)
- Cheongnyangsan Provincial Park
- Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori