Place Where Dasan Was Born and Ended His Life

Dasan (pen name of Jeong Yak-yong) lived in Majae Village since his birth in 1762 until he turned 15. He returned to the village in 1801 when he completed his life in exile in Gangjin and spent his last years here. The walls surrounding the Paldang Dam and leading to Majae Village along Dasan-ro 526 beon-gil road are filled with scribbles confessing love. The road faces the river on the opposite side. There are neither shops nor hard shoulders to pull over to. How on earth could people leave all these scribbles?

Dasan passed away at the age of 75, on February 22, 1836. The day was the 60th anniversary of his marriage to Hong Hye-wan. Dasan is remembered as one of the greatest scholars of the Joseon Dynasty era, but he was also a loving husband and father. Many episodes about his affection for his wife and children have been told. In the seventh year of his exile in Gangjin, Hong sent him an old faded skirt made when she married him as a token of her love. Dasan cut its cloth to make a book cover for his son and drew a picture for his daughter to congratulate her on her marriage. If he were alive today, what would he think about his beloved hometown's recent popularity as one of the best place to propose?

About Majae Village, Dasan said, "The only attraction of this village is its scenic view." The riverside where he took a walk and enjoyed fishing transformed into an ecological park. Watching the river running surrounded by murmuring silver grass, you will give a nod of agreement.

In the village, there are Dasan Historic Site where you can visit Yeoyudang House (birthplace of Dasan), his grave, Mundosa Shrine, and an exhibition hall; the grave of Jeong Yak-hyeon, the elder brother of Dasan, the site of Imcheongjeong where Dasan practiced archery, and Socheon Quay. 

Dasan Historic Site

A simple but tasteful life: Dasan’s birthplace and grave

ADDRESS 11, Dasan-ro 747 beon-gil, Joan-myeon, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do

TEL 031-590-2837

OPEN 09:00-18:00

CLOSED Mondays, Seollal, and Chuseok

WEBSITE www.nyj.go.kr/dasan/

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