Dosan Seowon (Korean: 도산서원) is located in Dosan-myeon (도산면), Andong-si (안동시), Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도), South Korea. Dosan Seowon was established in 1574 to commemorate Korean Confucian scholar Yi Hwang (이황).
Dosan Seowon is deep inside a valley, it takes around 10 minutes to walk from the main road, along the way there are many beautiful old pines.
There is an old well outside the entrance Dosan Seowon, the water is sweet and refreshing, better bring a water bottle with you.
Yi Hwang had retired to the location in 1549 and begun construction on the facility, a private Korean Confucian academy offering instruction in the classics and honouring the sages with regular memorial rites.
Dosan Seowon complex consists of ‘Dosan Seodang’ (lecture hall), which Yi Hwang built and where he taught his students and where a tablet reading "Dosan Seowon", that was a gift from Korean King.
Like other Korean Confucian academies, Dosan Seowon serves two purposes: education and commemoration. The site was well known in Korea as one of the leading academies for over 400 years.
Although the educational function of the facility has long since ceased, the commemorative ceremonies have been and are still held twice a year.
Dosan Seowon was royally chartered in 1575 by King Seonjo and was featured on the reverse of the South Korean 1,000 won bill from 1975 to 2007.
