Gyochon Village, a historic neighborhood in Gyeongju, is a living testament to the enduring values of the illustrious Gyeongju Choi clan. The village is home to the Gyeongju Choi Clan Head House (Important Folklore Material No. 27) and the prestigious Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju (Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 86-da). It is a place where the spirit of the Choi buja, a wealthy family who maintained their fortune for twelve generations and produced scholars for nine generations, remains palpable.
The Choi family is renowned for six guiding principles that have been likened to a powerful form of noblesse oblige. These principles dictated their conduct and social responsibility:
Do not hold a government post higher than jinsa (a scholar who passed the first civil service exam).
Do not accumulate wealth exceeding 10,000 seok (a traditional unit of measurement for grain, symbolizing immense wealth).
Treat transient guests generously.
During a famine, do not purchase the farmlands of others.
For three years after marriage, daughters-in-law must wear plain cotton clothes.
Ensure that no one within a hundred li (a unit of distance) of the family's home starves to death.
The village's historical significance extends beyond the Choi family. According to legend, it was the site of Princess Yoseok's palace, where she and the monk Wonhyo gave birth to the great scholar Seolchong. The area is also situated near other significant Silla landmarks, including Gyerim, the mythical birthplace of the Silla founder Park Hyeokgeose; King Naemul's tomb; the Gyeongju Hyanggyo (Confucian school); and Jaemaejeong, the former residence of General Kim Yu-sin.
Today, Gyochon Village is not merely a historical site but a vibrant cultural hub. It offers a variety of engaging hands-on experiences, including pottery, tteokme-chigi (rice cake pounding), traditional tea ceremonies, and hanbok wearing. Visitors can also explore traditional fermented foods, noodle-making, and nubi (quilting) workshops. Due to varying schedules and fees, it is recommended to check the official Gyochon Village website for information and inquire in advance of your visit. In Gyochon, the past and present merge, offering a unique opportunity to connect with Gyeongju's rich heritage and the timeless principles that shaped it.
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