Sancheongyulsuwon / 산청율수원

Sancheong Yulsuwon was opened in October 2013 as traditional hanok accommodations to provide guests comfort and relaxation in nature. It was named after the expression from “Decade of Wen Wang” of the Classics of Poetry (the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry), meaning “Following the virtue of ancestors, one should cultivate one’s mind,” in the hope that guests can experience traditional Korean culture in hanok and learn common themes and cultivate virtues in life. Located at the hanok street in Sancheong County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Sancheong Yulsuwon is a hanok stay facility established by Korea’s major education company JEI Corporation. It was built by expanding and renovating the Old House of Suncheon Park’s Clan for over four years. It is not only a hanok cultural facility but also an educational facility that aims to provide visitors comfortable relaxation and to establish a sound, rich environment of educational culture, which is also the philosophy of JEI Corporation. It is located around the Dumulmeori area where Dangyecheon Stream and Sindeungcheon Stream -- the water branch of Hwangmaesan Mountain (1,108m above sea level) -- meet. The area is known for many houses of noble families situated in a propitious site combined with mountains and water and as a hanok village with the old stone wall, which was designated as a cultural heritage. Among them, Sancheong Yulsuwon is an outstanding hanok structure built on a total area of about 2,975m2 according to the theory of divination based on topography. Entering the main gate Yeongsumun, one sees the Anchae (inner house) situated in front, the outer Sarangchae (detached building) on the right, and the bathroom on the left. Then, there are the inner Sarangchae, the kitchen, and the pavilion around the vegetable garden and the pond. The arrangement of buildings has special meaning: the kitchen signifies a green dragon (east), the bathroom, a white tiger (west), the inner Sarangchae, an Ansan (a low and small mountain in front of the house), and the outer Sarangchae and the main gate, a Josan (a high mountain behind Ansan); these five buildings seem to embrace the Anchae. As for the special names of the buildings, the inner Sarangchae built with the splendid style of semi-hipped roof and double eaves was named “Nongam,” meaning “a thatched cottage of a skilled farmer”; the outer Sarangchae was named “Goheon,” meaning “an old sarangchae,” and the Anchae -- named “Hagyejae” meaning “modesty” -- is situated in the innermost area. In particular, its upper floor (numaru) offers an open view of the environment. The bathroom, which was named “Seoljodang” meaning “one should keep the mind and body clean,” is composed of two connected houses. It is also equipped with red clay sauna and jjimjilbang (Korean dry sauna). Sancheong Yulsuwon was built based on a traditional hanok style of the Yeongnam area, with a splendid Seoul style of modernity added to the design. The sunshine comes through the windows made of hanji (Korean paper) in the clean and cozy rooms. Guests can also enjoy the outside view from the windows, which show the typical scenery of hanok consisting of jars, trees, flowers, and low stone wall with tiled roof. Every room is equipped with a bathroom including a bathtub and a modern-style kitchen. Sancheong Yulsuwon is adjacent to various tourist attractions including the following: valley of Daewonsa Temple surrounded by Geumgang pine trees; Namsa Yedamchon village, a village with an old wall made of red clay and stones; and Jeongchiwam Hermitage, Traditional Buddhist Temple No. 83 built by Silla’s Buddhist monk Uisang (625-702) and where the Buddhist Painting of Mountain Spirit can be found.