Ancient Korean Glamping: How Joseon Royals Invented Outdoor Luxury - 500 Years Before RVs: How Korean Royals Camped in Style
🏞 Living Like a Joseon Royal
How Ancient Korean Outdoor Life Predicted Modern Camping Trends
When you think about camping, what comes to mind?
A sleek RV, foldable furniture, and a cozy meal under the stars?
Well… What if I told you that Koreans were doing this 500 years ago — in silk robes, no less?
Let’s travel back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) and discover how royal and upper-class outdoor lifestyles mirror our modern camping culture.
Yes, even back then, portable kitchens, pop-up pavilions, and outdoor cooking were a thing.
🏕 1. The Joseon Version of an RV: Saryunjeong (사륜정)
Imagine a horse-drawn, four-wheeled wooden pavilion with blinds and collapsible walls.
That was the saryunjeong — used by kings, nobles, and scholars for picnics, painting trips, and even political retreats.
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✅ Foldable panels for privacy
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✅ Shaded roof to block sun/rain
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✅ Portable yet luxurious setup
“It was essentially a glamping experience centuries before the term existed.”
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| Joseon Dynasty Saryunjeong — A Four-Wheeled Royal Pavilion Carriage in a Peaceful Landscape |
🍲 2. Outdoor Cooking with Royal Flair
They didn’t just bring food — they cooked outdoors with style.
Main cooking tools included:
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Hwaro (화로): a charcoal brazier for boiling or grilling
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Gamasot (가마솥): a heavy iron pot used for rice, stews, and boiling water
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Clay jars for sauces, kimchi, and preserved foods
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Bamboo containers for rice, salt, and side dishes
👑 Even the kings loved "outdoor banquets" during hunting trips or nature visits.
Historical records mention King Jeongjo and King Sukjong hosting countryside feasts!
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| Traditional Korean Outdoor Cooking Tools — Hwaro, Gamasot, Clay Jar, and Bamboo Containers Displayed on a Parchment Background |
- Above Left: Hwaro (화로) — Charcoal brazier used for grilling or boiling
- Above Right: Clay Jar — Used for storing sauces, pastes, and kimchi
- Below Left: Gamasot (가마솥) — Iron pot used for cooking rice or stews
- Below Right: Bamboo Containers — Used for holding rice, salt, or side dishes
🎒 3. The Original Backpacking Kit?
While peasants carried janggunmok (장군목) — cloth bundles tied to a pole —
scholars and officials brought elegant travel sets:
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Portable desks, ink stones, tea kits, and even collapsible stools
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All tucked into lacquered wooden boxes or layered satchels
Sounds familiar? That’s right — today’s modular camping gear is just a modern upgrade.
🖼 4. Art Meets Nature: The “Sketch Camp”
Famous painters like Jeong Seon (정선) and Shin Yun-bok (신윤복)
often camped in valleys or mountains to capture Korea’s landscapes.
They’d cook simple meals, sleep outdoors, and paint for days.
🎨 These outdoor retreats weren’t just art sessions —
they were the original slow-travel experiences.
“No WiFi, just mountains and ink.”
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| Joseon-Era Artists Camping and Painting in a Tranquil Mountain Valley |
🧠 Why Does This Matter Today?
Because it proves something important:
The desire to escape the city, slow down, and connect with nature is timeless.
Korean ancestors didn’t camp out of necessity — they did it for pleasure, peace, and perspective.
And in 2025? That spirit is alive and well — just with more LED lights and solar panels.
📸 Bonus Idea: Recreate a Joseon-Style Picnic
Try setting up a Korean historical picnic:
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A picnic mat + cast iron pot + side dishes
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Hanbok-style clothes or props
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Add a folding screen or bamboo blinds for that royal touch
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| Joseon Royal Picnic — Hanbok, Cast Iron Pot, and Bamboo Screen in a Traditional Korean Outdoor Setting |
✍️ Final Thoughts
Modern camping didn’t start in the West.
It was already part of Asia’s rich cultural tapestry, especially in Korea.
So next time you sip coffee outside your RV,
remember: you’re not just a camper —
you’re living like a Joseon royal.
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