Tongjin Hyanggyo

A place to walk with your child and discover an old school, Tongjinhyanggyo

The history and meaning of Tongjinhyanggyo

Located on Gunha-ro, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, Tongjinhyanggyo is a very old educational institution said to have been first built in 1127, the 5th year of King Injong of Goryeo. It has long been an important cultural heritage site in the Gimpo area, and thanks to continued care and repairs through the Goryeo and Joseon periods, it still preserves the breath of tradition today. On September 19, 1983, it was designated as Gyeonggi-do Cultural Heritage Material, giving it even greater protection.

During the Joseon period, central government officials were dispatched here to teach 30 students. It was a place where they studied Confucianism, history, literature, and character development. Today, it also serves as a local cultural gathering place through annual events and cultural performances.

Buildings and highlights of Tongjinhyanggyo

• Tongjinhyanggyo is a place where you can fully appreciate the beauty of traditional Korean architecture.
• At the entrance, you will find the Hongsalmun gate, which marks a sacred space, and the Hamabi stone, which signifies that everyone should enter with reverence.
• There is a rule to enter through the right-side gate and also exit through the right-side gate.
• Passing through the two-story pavilion Punghwaru, you will see Myeongnyundang, where students studied, Dongjae and Seojae, which were dormitories and are now restored, and then the Daeseongjeon shrine along with the Dongmu and Seomu buildings used for ancestral rites.
• Nearby, there are two 400-year-old protected zelkova trees, offering cool shade and letting you experience both long history and nature at the same time.

Things to know before visiting

• To enter the hyanggyo, you must inquire in advance before your visit, and there are various annual events and educational programs that may be of interest.
• The rear area of the hyanggyo, including ritual spaces, may not usually be open to the public, so checking for special event days or opening periods will help you make the most of your visit.
• For parking, go one more block uphill from the entrance off the road.

Fees and programs

• Fee: Free
• Visitor information: Open year-round
• Free Semester Program: Every Monday from March to July
• Humanities Academy: Every Monday from April to June
• Cultural performance "Dari Nopigom Dodashya": Saturday, June 24 and Saturday, September 23 at 7 PM
• Hyanggyo cultural heritage experience: Rolling registration

Why it is great for families

• Tongjinhyanggyo is a wonderful place to enjoy a walk in a quiet and cozy atmosphere throughout all four seasons.
• The unique structure of the traditional buildings and the beauty of Korea can be observed up close, giving your kids a meaningful opportunity to learn history.
• You can rest under the protected trees or let your children move around freely in the small courtyard, making it a great fit for a family outing.
• It is also a historic site where a March 1st Independence Movement rally took place, so it is a great place to naturally talk with your children about history.

Closing

"Tongjinhyanggyo is a special place where you and your child can experience the value of tradition, nature, and vivid history in a calm and peaceful setting. If you want a family outing where you can feel the spirit of old scholars and enjoy a relaxing time surrounded by nature, this is a place well worth visiting!"