Gangneung of Siblings Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon, Read in Chodang-dong’s Pine Forest

The Literary Coordinates of Chodang-dong Left by Heo Chohui in 1563 and Heo Gyun in 1569

Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park is a literary park commemorating the Gangneung-born siblings Heo Nanseolheon, also known as Heo Chohui (1563–1589), and Heo Gyun (1569–1618). Heo Gyun is known as the author of The Tale of Hong Gildong, while Heo Nanseolheon is regarded as a writer of classical Chinese poetry during the mid-Joseon period. The park consists of Heo Nanseolheon’s birthplace site, the Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Hall, a traditional tea experience space, green areas, and an outdoor stage.

However, unlike the park’s description of the ‘Chodang-dong Historic House’ as the house where Heo Nanseolheon was born, the Korea Tourism Organization’s Accessible Tourism guide explicitly states that although this historic house is known as her birthplace, this has not been historically verified. Therefore, it is more accurate to understand this site not as a place where the original birthplace can be definitively identified, but as a memorial space interpreting the Heo siblings’ ties to Gangneung and their literature.

Why the 1608 Chinese Edition of The Collection of Nanseolheon’s Works Remains at the Park

Heo Nanseolheon is introduced as having left more than 200 poems. After her younger brother Heo Gyun passed her works to the Ming poet Zhu Zhifan, The Collection of Nanseolheon’s Works was published in China in 1608. Because the works of a Joseon woman writer crossed national borders and were compiled into a book, the park serves not merely as a place marking a famous writer’s birthplace, but also as a site for exploring the international transmission of women’s literary history.

The memorial hall is a single-story wooden building designed in the form of a traditional Korean tiled-roof house, with a main exhibition room and a smaller exhibition room. Viewing materials related to The Tale of Hong Gildong and the Heo family’s literary works first, then continuing to the birthplace site and forest path, makes it easy to compare Heo Gyun’s socially critical concerns with Heo Nanseolheon’s poetic world along one route.

How to Divide Your Time Between Memorial Hall Hours of 09:00–18:00 and a 24-Hour Park Walk

The outdoor park is open 24 hours, but the Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Hall operates from 09:00–18:00 and has a lunch break from 12:00–13:00. The traditional tea experience space is listed as operating from 09:00–17:00, and it is likewise best to avoid using it from 12:00–13:00. If you want to see the indoor exhibitions as well, it is safest to arrive between 09:00–11:40 or 13:00–16:30.

The regular closing day is every Monday, along with January 1, Lunar New Year’s Day, and the day of Chuseok. Admission and parking are free. Since operating and closure information may change depending on events and facility conditions, it is advisable to reconfirm indoor facility operations on the day of departure by calling 033-640-4798.

• Park: Open 24 hours
• Memorial hall: 09:00–18:00, break from 12:00–13:00
• Traditional tea experience space: 09:00–17:00, break from 12:00–13:00
• Admission and parking: Free

Reading the Chodang-dong Historic House in Sequence: Main Gate, Sarang Courtyard, and Inner Quarters

The birthplace site is arranged so that visitors pass through the raised-roof main gate into the sarang courtyard, then view the men’s quarters and inner quarters in sequence. Guide materials introduce a portrait of Gyosan Heo Gyun in the men’s quarters and a portrait of Nanseolheon Heo Chohui in the inner quarters. Even if you are planning only a short walk, do not stop outside the gate; checking the arrangement of these two spaces makes the park’s design, which commemorates both siblings, much clearer.

A pine forest continues behind the historic house. Since it is easy to hurry through the entire park and see only the exhibition hall, it is better to allow 20–30 minutes indoors, 15–20 minutes at the historic house, and 20–30 minutes for the forest and outdoor sculptures, for a total of 60–90 minutes. On days of heavy rain, it is better to reduce outdoor time and arrive during the memorial hall’s operating hours.

Wheelchair and Stroller Routes Connected by 2021 Accessible Tourism Facilities

This site was selected as an Accessible Tourism Site in 2021. A ramp at the main entrance, designated accessible parking spaces, and accessible restrooms are listed, while the birthplace site, traditional tea experience space, and outdoor performance area are introduced as wheelchair-accessible zones. Tourist information also lists an accessible elevator, wheelchair rental, convenience services for visitors with visual or hearing impairments, and nursing-room information.

However, detailed access conditions may vary from place to place because historic areas such as traditional houses have thresholds and courtyards. Visitors who use wheelchairs, are traveling with strollers, or need to rent a wheelchair should contact 033-640-4798 in advance to ask about routes and rental availability. The regular availability of foreign-language guidance has not been confirmed, so if English information is needed, it is practical to prepare the basic information from the Korea Tourism Organization’s English-language page as well.

Options for Traveling from Gangneung Station to the Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park Stop

The address is 1-16 Nanseolheon-ro 193beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and tourist guide listings also give 1-29 in the same Chodang-dong area. Enter ‘Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park’ or the provided road-name address into your navigation system, then follow the signs on site to the memorial hall and historic house areas. Visitors can arrive by car because free parking is available.

For public transportation, it is convenient to travel from Gangneung Station toward Chodang-dong by city bus or taxi and use the ‘Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park’ stop. Gangneung’s circular tourist transportation materials also list stops with the same name in both directions, but routes and service intervals may change frequently, so check the real-time bus number and arrival time through Gangneung transportation information or a map app immediately before departure. The station exit number and walking time have not been officially confirmed, so they are not stated definitively.

• Main contact: 033-640-4798
• By car: Free parking available
• Bus: Use the ‘Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park’ stop
• Recommended stay: 60–90 minutes

April Cherry Blossoms and Double Cherry Blossoms, Plus the Nanseolheon Cultural Festival Around the 19th Day of the Third Lunar Month

Gangneung selected this park as a recommended travel destination for April 2026 and introduced a succession of cherry blossoms in early April and double cherry blossoms in mid-to-late April. If flowers are your main purpose, do not assume there is only one blooming period; instead, keep in mind that the targets differ between early April and mid-to-late April, and check blooming updates before setting out.

Events honoring Nanseolheon are introduced in connection with a cultural festival held around the 19th day of the third lunar month, the anniversary of her death. On May 5, 2026, a memorial tea ceremony was held at the Chodang-dong Historic House within the park. On event days, some regular walking routes may overlap with programs, so if you want a quiet visit, avoid announced event dates. If you would like to see traditional rituals or performances, check Gangneung’s cultural event announcements and coordinate your visit accordingly.

A Chodang-dong Half-Day Itinerary Combining Gyeongpo Lake and Chodang Soft Tofu

The park is well located for connecting Gyeongpo Lake, Gangmun Beach, and the Chodang-dong restaurant district. Travel guides introduce it as approximately 3 minutes by car from Gangmun Beach and approximately 4 minutes by car from Gyeongpo Lake. A route that visits the memorial hall and historic house in the morning, has a meal in Chodang-dong, and then continues to Gyeongpo Lake for a walk or to Gangmun Beach in the afternoon involves little unnecessary travel.

There is also a local story that the name ‘Chodang tofu’ originated when Heo Yeop, while serving as magistrate of Gangneung, made tofu with spring water from in front of the government office and seasoned it with seawater. This origin story helps visitors understand together the local history and food culture of Chodang Village, where the Heo siblings are known to have grown up. However, no information confirming food-service operations within the park itself has been found, so it is safer to plan meals at the Chodang-dong restaurant district outside the park.