Chungcheongnam-do

The Myeongjae House (Gyochon-ri, Noseong-myon, Nonsan City of Chungnam) was built in the early 18th century by Yun Jeung, a famous Confucian scholar of Joseon Dynasty. The house is named after his pen name, Myeongjae.

The house faces south against mountain ranges stretching toward the south. Living quarters are arranged in a square shape with an inner quarter (women’s quarter) with two wings (one each side) and a straight outer quarter (men’s quarter). The outer quarter has a large yard in the front, which features a well and a pond in its left corner. This pond has a small round islet in the middle to reflect the philosophical concept of ‘Cheonwonjibang’ meaning “the sky is round and the ground is square.” In the right side of the outer quarter is the large platform for crocks of sauces and condiments made with a special recipe handed down in the Yun family and being promoted as local specialties.

The house reflects the elegant and genuine spirit of Confucius scholar Yun, Jeung who refused to take any government post and devoted himself only to academic pursuits. A sleepover in this old house preserving history of more than 300 years will become an exotic cultural experience for all. The house also has many old books and relics.
The Gweolisa Temple and Noseong Hyangyo (Confucian temple and school) are in the neighborhood and the Nonsan downtown is only a 15-20 minute drive. For guests staying over night, the family offers a tour to the inner quarter they live in, which is normally closed for visitors. And they also organize traditional experience programs such as tea ceremony, natural dyeing and traditional knotting on a reservation basis for visitors. It is definitely a special place where you can make good memories by just being there.