Hyeeumwon Inn Site, Paju

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.464

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Designated year

2005

Location

파주시, 경기도— 경기 파주시 광탄면 용미4리 134-1번지 일원 234-1

Coordinates

37.735412, 126.891759

Hyeeumsa sinchanggi, a record on the building of Hyeeumwon Inn found in Book 64 of Dongmunseon (Anthology of Korean Literature), gives information on the background and process of construction of Hyeeumwon as well as who constructed and operated it, including its connection to the royal family. According to this record, Hyeeumwon was built in 1122 (17th year of Yejong) and was operated as a state-run hotel for the safety and comfort of officials and ordinary people traveling the road between Namgyeong (today’s Seoul) and Gaeseong (capital of Goryeo). To accommodate the king as well, a temporary palace was built, too. The location of Hyeeumwon had been roughly known because of Hyeeumnyeong, a major road during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. In 1999, based on information provided by a local resident, excavation work was carried out in the area, and a roof-end tile carrying the inscription “Hyeeumwon” was found, confirming the location of the present site. Excavation work continued through 2004. The entire compound consisted of the site of the hotel, a temporary palace, and a temple. According to the excavation results to date, the site -- measuring 104m east to west and 106m north to south -- includes archaeological features such as 27 building sites, pond site, gutters, and relics such as gilt-bronze Buddha statue, roof tiles, porcelain, and earthenware pieces. Through records, remains, and relics, the site of Hyeeumwon not only gives an idea of how the hotel was operated as well as its structure and appearance; it also shows the life of all strata of society, royal family, aristocrats, and commoners, making it valuable in the study of early Goryeo architecture and history.

Location