Choi family's old house in Gyo-dong, Gyeongju
Choi family's old house in Gyo-dong, Gyeongju
Overview

The Gyeongju Gyodong Choi Family Old House is located next to Gyeongju Hyanggyo Confucian School and is the former home of the head Choi family, built around 1700. It is known as the home of a wealthy man during the Joseon Dynasty. You can see traditional Joseon Dynasty houses such as the Haengrangchae (room at the side of the gate), the master's Sarangchae (living room/guest room), the Anchae (main house), the shrine, and the barn. The barn is the most eye-catching part of the house and was used as a place to distribute rice to neighbors during famines.

The old house next to Gyeongju Hyanggyo Confucian School is the Gyeongju Gyo-dong Choi Family Old House (Important Folk Cultural Asset No. 27). It was built around 1700 and is over 300 years old. It is the head house of the Gyeongju Choi Family, famous for being a "full house."

Compared to its reputation as the home of a wealthy Joseon Dynasty king, the low main gate gives off a sense of the simplicity of the house. Once inside the gate, you will be greeted by an elegant sarangchae.

Sarangchae (the master's living room and guest room)

The house is located beside Namcheoncheon Stream, which runs along Wolseong Fortress, and contains a Haengrangchae (room at the side of the gate), the master's living room, anchae (main house), a shrine, a storehouse, and a toilet.

It was originally a spacious mansion with 99 rooms, but the building used as the Sarangchae (the master's living room and guest room) was burned down in 1970. Restoration work began in 2007, and it has been restored to its original form for the first time in 36 years. The Anchae (main building), which is the women's space, is shaped like the letter "□," and the Haengranchae (side room) is shaped like the letter "-."

Shrine (building for worshiping ancestors)

Anche (main house)

The barn is the most eye-catching part of the house. Standing in front of a building larger than an average house, it's hard to believe that this is a storage shed. The storehouse of the wealthiest family, which has been passed down for 12 generations, is known as the largest and oldest wooden barn still standing, capable of storing 800 koku of rice.

Barn at Choi family's former house in Gyo-dong, Gyeongju

This barn is a space where the family motto "Let no one starve to death within 100 ri" was put into practice. It is the site of the Korean version of "noblesse oblige," where 100 koku of rice was distributed to poor neighbors during times of famine or in years of famine.

The "Six Commandments" handed down for generations in the wealthiest families

In front of the barn, there are the "Six Precepts" that have been passed down for generations in the richest families. These precepts are engraved in the hearts of each and every family member: 'Follow the example of the past, do not take up any official position higher than Shinshi, give any fortune exceeding 100 koku back to society, do not increase land in famine years, treat guests who have come by too well, ensure that no one starves to death within 3 ri, and that a bride wears plain clothes for three years after marriage.'

spot nameChoi family's old house in Gyo-dong, Gyeongju
Latest news and news
Address69, Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
69
Admission feeFree viewing
Detailed informationImportant Ethnic Cultural Property No. 27 1971.5.27
*The above article was created based on information available at the time of coverage. Please note that the content may differ from current information due to local circumstances.
Author
Park Bogyu
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