Soswaewon Garden

Soseowon — The reason why the garden built 500 years ago is coolest in summer

Most people who come to Damyang visit Juknokwon and Metasequoia-gil. However, the true face of Damyang is a little further inland, in Gasamunhak-myeon. Soseowon is a private byeolseo garden built during the Joseon Jungjong period, and is now National Scenic Site No. 40.

This garden's design principle is singular. It does not bring nature in, but creates a human space within nature. Therefore, the wall does not block the stream; water flows through an opening beneath it. It's no coincidence that Soseowon is cool in midsummer; it's by design.

1. At a Glance

2. Why It Was Built — His teacher died, and he returned home

The person who created Soseowon is Yang San-bo (梁山甫, 1503~1557). His teacher was Jo Gwang-jo.

When Jo Gwang-jo suffered harm during the Gimyo literati purge in 1519, Yang San-bo gave up his official career and returned to his hometown. He then built a garden in this valley. It was a seonbi (learned scholar) who retired from politics and built his own world within nature, and that world has lasted for 500 years.

'Sosae (瀟灑)' means 'clear and clean' or 'pure and neat'. The name of the garden reflected the attitude he sought to uphold.

3. What to See — Four Buildings and One Wall

Soseowon is not large. An hour is enough even walking slowly. Instead, each element is placed with a specific reason.

'Gwangpungjewol (光風霽月)' comes from a poetic phrase by a Song Dynasty Confucian scholar, meaning the wind and moon after rain, or a state of clear and unburdened mind. The names of Jewol-dang and Gwangpung-gak originated from this phrase.

Gwangpung-gak was burned down during the Jeongyujaeran (Second Japanese Invasion) and was rebuilt in 1614 by Yang Cheon-un, Yang San-bo's grandson. The current appearance was renovated during the time of Yang Taek-ji, his 5th generation descendant.

4. Ogok-mun — The Heart of This Garden

The place where you'll stand the longest in Soseowon is not a building, but a wall.

A typical wall creates a boundary. However, the wall of Ogok-mun was built leaving the bottom open for the stream water to pass through directly. The wall does not block the water. The water flows beneath the wall, enters the garden, flows over rocks, and then exits again.

Standing at this spot in midsummer, the temperature is distinctly different. It's the air created by the flowing water and the shade of the bamboo forest. It is also a device that shows how people in the era before air conditioning dealt with the heat.

5. How to Visit in Summer — Summer Season until 7 PM

From May to August, it opens until 7 PM. Soseowon's summer season visiting hours are the longest among the four seasons. There's no reason not to take advantage of this.

I recommend after 4 PM rather than midday. The sunlight softens, the sound of the stream is heard more loudly, and the angle of light coming through the bamboo forest lowers. If you're taking photos, this time is overwhelmingly better.

The natural direction for viewing is to ascend along the valley. The order is to start from Daebongdae, see the water flow of Ogok-mun, pass Gwangpung-gak, and then look down at the entire garden from Jewol-dang, which is at the highest point.

6. How to Get There

Soseowon is not in Damyang-eup (town center), but in Gasamunhak-myeon. Many people get confused because of this.

• Private car: Most reliable. There is a free parking lot opposite the main gate.
• Public transportation (from Gwangju): Since there are no suitable direct routes from Damyang-eup to Soseowon, it is rather more convenient to approach from Gwangju. Gwangju city buses Chunghyo 187/188, or Damyang 225 pass by Soseowon.
• When using KTX: It is common to move from GwangjuSongjeong Station to Gwangju U-Square Bus Terminal by Seated Bus 02 and then transfer.

Since the bus intervals are not frequent, please check the return bus schedule before entering.

7. Nearby — Explore the Gasamunhak region together

The Gasamunhak-myeon area where Soseowon is located was the stage for gasa literature during the Joseon Dynasty. Related attractions are gathered within a few minutes' drive.

• Sikyeongjeong: Known as the place where Songgang Jeong Cheol composed Seongsan Byeolgok.
• Korea Gasa Literature Museum: An exhibition hall that organizes the background of literature in this area.
• Gwangjuho Lake Eco-Park: A walking path along the waterfront.

If you want to combine it with Damyang's representative courses, seeing Juknokwon·Gwanbangjerim Metasequoia-gil in the morning and moving to Soseowon late in the afternoon is a smooth itinerary. All information about Damyang is compiled in Damyang.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take? Even if you look around slowly, it takes 40 minutes to 1 hour. It is not a large garden.

Isn't it hot even if you go in summer? Thanks to the stream water and the shade of the bamboo forest, the garden is cooler inside than outside. However, you will be exposed to the sun from the parking lot to the main gate, and on uphill paths within the garden.

Is there an admission fee? Adults 2,000 won, youths/military personnel 1,000 won, children 700 won. Damyang County residents, those over 65, national meritorious persons, and persons with disabilities are free.

Are there any closing days? It is announced as open all year round, but no officially specified regular closing days have been confirmed. It is safer to check with Damyang County Culture and Tourism information before visiting.

How is it different from Juknokwon? Juknokwon is a place to walk through a bamboo forest, while Soseowon is a place to "read" a garden. The scale and nature are completely different.

9. Summary

Soseowon is a byeolseo garden of Joseon built by Yang San-bo, who lost his teacher in the Gimyo literati purge and returned to his hometown, and is National Scenic Site No. 40. It is open until 7 PM from May to August, making it good to visit late in the afternoon when the sun softens. Adults 2,000 won, parking is free opposite the main gate.

Just by looking at Ogok-mun, which lets the stream flow directly beneath the wall, you can understand what this garden intended to do. Instead of bringing nature into the garden, the garden was set within nature. 500 years later, in summer, we are the ones who benefit from that decision.

Fees and visiting hours are subject to change, so please check official information before visiting.