Gyeongpodae (경포대) (Gangneung)

 pavilion, historic landmark

Gyeongpodae is a pavilion overlooking a Gangneung lake, famous for the view of the moon on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It is said that one can see the moon five times when at Gyeongpodae. One sees the moon once in the sky, once reflected in the lake, once reflected in the sea, once reflected in the drinking glass, and once more in the eyes of a lover.

Gyeongpodae is a large pavilion featuring a “paljak” roof, the most common style found in Korean buildings. The pavilion is divided into 6 sections in the front, and 5 sections on the sides, with 28 pillars surrounding the structure.

Inside the pavilion is the Gyeongpodaebu, written by Yul-Gok (aka Yi I, 1536–1584), one of the two most prominent Korean Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty, when he was only 10 years old. Yul-Gok is depicted on the South Korean 5,000 won note issued prior to 2005.

There is also a poem written by Suk-Jong (1095~1105), the 15th king of the Goryeo Dynasty, along with many other literary records and poetry of famous artists like Ha-Mang Jo’s (1682~1747) Sangryangmun.

Gyeongpodae was originally built on the site of Worinsa Temple in 1326 during the Goryeo Dynasty. In 1508 during the Joseon Dynasty, it was relocated to its present site and has since been restored many times, most recently in 1934, 1947 and 1962.

On the grounds of Geyongpodae are 12 other Pavilions as well.


Gyeongpodae is designated as Regional Cultural Asset #6.