From Seongtoeheon to a 10,209㎡ Hanok Courtyard: A 90-Minute Guide to Changwon House

From Ahn Du-cheol’s Seongtoeheon (1809–1877) to Changwon House in 1985

Changwon House is a residence located on land where the Sunheung Ahn clan lived for generations. Toeeun Ahn Du-cheol (1809–1877) built the house and named it Seongtoeheon. Records indicate that the property was inhabited for approximately 200 years, until Ahn Taek-yeong, the fifth-generation descendant of Ahn Du-cheol. This is therefore not simply a newly created hanok set, but a restored space representing the living grounds of a family whose history continued in Sarim-dong.

After purchasing the residence to preserve traditional culture, Changwon City renovated and restored it from September 1984 to May 1985, opening it to the public as “Changwon House” on October 15, 1985. The site covers 10,209㎡, divided into 7,160㎡ of land and 3,049㎡ of parking space, while the building area is 526㎡. In addition to the anchae, seven other buildings explain the living spaces and agricultural culture of upper-class homes in the late Joseon period.

Household chores and agricultural life seen across the anchae, sarangchae, and Farm Tools Exhibition Hall

The anchae and sarangchae have clearly divided functions. According to the official guide, the anchae was the living space for the women responsible for household affairs, while the sarangchae was the head of the household’s living space and a place for receiving guests. Rather than simply reading the names of the buildings and passing by, observing the different roles of the two structures separated by a courtyard reveals the social order of daily life in Joseon-era homes.

The Farm Tools Exhibition Hall displays looms, treadle mills, bullock carts, and other items. The Folk Education Center is used as an experiential educational space for learning and practicing traditional culture, while the Multipurpose Pavilion is also used as an exhibition and performance venue. The pavilion is provided free of charge as a wedding venue for citizens wishing to hold a traditional wedding, so the atmosphere and availability of some areas may differ from usual on event days.

A sightseeing route planned around 09:00–18:00 hours and a 17:30 last admission

Changwon House is open from 09:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:30. Admission is free, and the regular closing day is every Monday. If Monday is a public holiday, it closes the following day, and it is also closed on January 1. Before setting out, it is safest to check same-day events and operational changes by calling 055-284-2600 or visiting the Changwon Cultural Foundation website.

Allow approximately 40–60 minutes to leisurely explore the hanok courtyards and buildings, or around 90 minutes if you also visit the nearby Changwon History and Folk Museum. The museum opened on August 24, 2012, and includes a History Hall, Modern Hall, Folk Halls 1 and 2, a special exhibition room, and a video room. Since the entrances and addresses of the two facilities differ, enter the Changwon House address, 59 Sarim-ro 16beon-gil, precisely as your destination.

• Main information: 055-284-2600
• Group tour reservations: 055-714-7646
• Group size: 20 people or more
• Deadline for group reservations and cancellations: One day before the desired date

Groups of 20 or more: reserve one day ahead; individual visitors enter free

Individual visits are free, but groups of 20 or more must make an advance reservation. Reservations and cancellations must be made by the day before the desired visit date, and the reservation telephone number is 055-714-7646. For large groups such as schools, travel agencies, or clubs, it is best to determine the total number first, including accompanying staff, and then make contact.

When there is a group tour reservation or request, the Changwon History and Folk Museum screens the 15-minute animation “The Adventure of the Three Musketeers,” based on Changwon’s history and legends, in its video room. It is unnecessary if you plan to see only the hanok quickly, but foreign visitors or groups traveling with children may wish to ask about it together with the museum visit. Information leaflets in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese are also available on the official page.

Actual conditions: a 3,049㎡ parking lot, one accessible parking space, and barrier-free paths

The Changwon House parking lot covers 3,049㎡ and is included in the official facility figures. Visitors arriving by car can enter 59 Sarim-ro 16beon-gil into their navigation system. Since parking fees are not listed separately in the official information, it is necessary to call ahead. Rather than considering the trip complete once you reach the parking lot, check the courtyard level changes and indoor access conditions on site according to the mobility needs of your companions.

The Accessible Tourism information specifies one accessible parking space, barrier-free walking paths at Changwon House and the History and Folk Museum, and restrooms available to both general visitors and people with disabilities. The access path has been improved by reducing slopes and leveling the ground. The History and Folk Museum also offers tactile artifact displays, a sign-language rap promotional video, and universal-design hanbok experiences. Wheelchair users can check the conditions for using the special transportation service 24 hours a day through the Gyeongsangnam-do Special Transportation Call Center at 1566-4488.

How to make use of Changwon City Tour stops at 10:43, 11:53, 14:13, and 15:13

If you are traveling without a car, you can use the “Changwon House” stop on the Changwon City Tour double-decker bus. According to the current timetable, the stopping times are 10:43, 11:53, 14:13, and 15:13, although arrivals may be delayed depending on traffic. The bus does not operate every Monday or on the day of Seollal or Chuseok. Since schedules may also change through seasonal reductions in service, check the operating notice again before departure.

Fares for the double-decker bus are 5,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for youths, national merit recipients, people with disabilities, people aged 65 or older, military personnel, basic livelihood security recipients, and families with multiple children. For groups of 20 or more, the respective fares are 4,000 won and 2,000 won. With one ticket purchase, passengers may freely board and get off at all stops throughout the day. Payment is made by credit card on the vehicle; transportation cards cannot be used. For City Tour inquiries, call 055-712-0777–0778.

• Changwon House stop: 10:43, 11:53, 14:13, 15:13
• Regular adult fare: 5,000 won
• Regular fare for discounted groups: 3,000 won
• Payment: Credit card on the vehicle; transportation cards not accepted

Do not stop at the Sarim-dong hanok: include the Changwon History and Folk Museum, opened in 2012

The Changwon History and Folk Museum beside Changwon House was built from March 2010 to February 2012 and opened on August 24, 2012. The site covers 3,135.1㎡, and the total floor area of the building is 3,237.51㎡. The History Hall covers Changwon’s history from prehistoric times through the modern and contemporary periods, while the Modern Hall addresses the process leading to the launch of integrated Changwon City on July 1, 2010.

Folk Hall 1 presents the origins of Changwon’s intangible cultural heritage, reconstruction videos, and traditional musical instruments. Folk Hall 2 displays agricultural tools, household implements, clothing, and a virtual experience space. After seeing the anchae and sarangchae at Changwon House, moving to Folk Hall 2 at the History and Folk Museum allows you to connect the living spaces of the actual residence with the household objects on display. Conversely, if you do not want an exhibition-focused visit or have less than 30 minutes, it is better to concentrate on the Changwon House courtyard and Farm Tools Exhibition Hall.

Visitor etiquette when photographing the hanok rooflines and courtyards

Changwon House is a cultural facility that restores living spaces, so even when photographing the buildings and courtyards, give priority to signs restricting entry and areas being prepared for events. The official visitor guide states that access may be restricted when visitors fail to observe proper etiquette. In particular, the Multipurpose Pavilion is used for traditional weddings, exhibitions, and performances, so quiet movement and refraining from photography are necessary during reserved events.

On rainy days, the condition of the ground beneath the eaves and in the courtyard may change. In summer, it is best to arrive in the morning or early afternoon so as not to exceed the 18:00 closing time and 17:30 last admission. Although the space is free, commercial photography or use for events may be handled separately from ordinary visits. For rental and traditional wedding inquiries, contact the Changwon Cultural Foundation at 055-714-7644.