Prepare for your trip to Gangneung
The term, “hyanggyo,” refers to the regional Confucian schools, where Confucian scholars were educated and nurtured, during the Joseon Dynasty. Gangneunghyanggyo Confucian School, designated as Gangwong Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 99, is one of the top 3 Confucian schools along with Najuhyanggyo and Jangsuhyanggyo, and it was built in Confucian architectural style in terms of size and function.
The Gangneung Museum of Art, which was initially founded as Gangneung Art Gallery in September 2006, re-opened its doors as the one and only municipal museum in Gangwon-do in April 2013. It is a 2-story building with an around 530m2 exhibition space, and it mainly presents exhibits centering on Korean aesthetics. The museum also runs educational programs for various age groups.
Jeondaecheong Hall, where the jeonpae and gwolpae tablets of the kings were enshrined and ritual ceremonies were performed, and Imyeonggwan Halls, a guest reception area comprised of two buildings on the left and right side of Jeondaecheong, were built in the 19th year of King Taejo’s reign over Goryeo. The building complex was repaired and restored multiple times, and used as an Ordinary High School by the Japanese before being demolished in 1908.
Sinboksa Temple is reported to have been originally founded by National Preceptor Beomil in 850 (12th year of King Munseong’s reign over Silla). The temple halls no longer exist, and only the three-story stone pagoda (Treasure No. 87) and the seated stone Buddha statue (Treasure No. 84) remain on the temple site.
Gulsansaji Flagpole Support, designated as Treasure No. 86, is the biggest treasure in Korea. A flagpole used to hang a flag at the entrance of a Buddhist temple when holding an event is called danggan, and the stone columns that support the danggan from both sides are referred to as dangganjiju.
The Solhyang Arboretum opened its doors on October 30, 2013 at San 135 Gujeong-ri, Gujeong-myeon, Gangneung-si. It is considered a primeval forest, with well-cultivated Geumgang pine trees (Pinus densiflora Erecta), an indigenous tree species of Gangneung. The arboretum, covering around 78.5ha in area, is divided into 23 different themes, with around 240,000 plants classified into 1,330 species.
