Did You Know the Spot Where Scholars Once Enjoyed Poetry and Elegance Is Still Here?
and it's said the spot still remains today
Today GYULI would like to introduce a place called 'Myeongwoldae,' located in Myeongwol-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju City. Hearing the name, you might picture a pavilion or a tower, but Myeongwoldae is said to have been a spot where local Confucian scholars and poets of the late Joseon era gathered together to write poetry and enjoy refined pastimes. In other words, it's said to have served as a kind of gathering place for the local literati of that era. In recognition of this historical significance, it's said to have been designated a Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Monument in 1981.
An Octagonal Stone Base Built in Three Tiers on a Streamside Rock, Topped With a Round Flat Stone
Myeongwoldae is said to sit beside a stream that runs along the village, and at its center, on a natural rock outcrop, an octagonal stone base is said to have been built up in three tiers, topped with a round flat stone to form the platform. It's described as a structure where a natural rock served as the foundation, carefully built up further by human hands — though it's said that in recent times, concrete work was applied on top of it, so it's worth knowing that it may not look exactly as it once did. Beside the platform stands a stone monument, said to have the characters 'Myeongwoldae' carved in relief on its front. Thanks to this monument, it's still not difficult today to confirm that this is indeed Myeongwoldae.
Imagining scholars once sitting together on this narrow rock, composing poems and sharing cups of wine, I feel like I can get just a small sense of what kind of elegance that era's pastimes carried.
— 🍊 GYULIBeside Myeongwoldae, There's Also an Old Stone Bridge Said to Be Rare in Jeju
Near Myeongwoldae, there's also said to be a stone bridge built around 1910 that still remains today. Rather than being made of earth or wood, it's a bridge built of stone — a so-called stone bridge — and this kind of stone bridge is said to be rare to find in Jeju. Perhaps that's why many visitors who come to see Myeongwoldae are also said to take a close look at this stone bridge while they're there. Having stood in that same spot for over a hundred years, it seems worth taking your time to look over alongside Myeongwoldae.
The stream where Myeongwoldae sits is said to be lined, from upstream to downstream, with a grove of around 60 hackberry trees along with Aphananthe trees growing together in a cluster. The shade and greenery these trees create are said to make the natural scenery all the more beautiful, and when the sound of water flowing here and there is added on top of that, it's said to give off a truly clean, serene atmosphere. GYULI can't help but think that the reason the old scholars chose this very spot to write poetry and enjoy refined pastimes probably had something to do with scenery like this.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Visit
Myeongwoldae is located in Myeongwol-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju City, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and it's said to be open at all times with no set hours, viewable year-round without closed days. That said, there isn't much confirmed information about details like parking or amenities, so I'd rather not say much about that here. Since it sits along a stream tucked inside the village, it's recommended to visit quietly, taking it in the way you would a peaceful walk.
GYULI's Tip · Myeongwoldae is said to be open at all times, year-round, so you don't need to plan around specific hours — but since it sits on a natural rock outcrop along a stream, the ground can be uneven, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. As it's an old historic site, it's best to look quietly with your eyes rather than touching the stone monument or the stone base.