Visiting Bukchon Hanok Village — One of the most beautiful villages in Seoul, South Korea

Traveling to Seoul, South Korea on the summer days when the whole city cover a modern dynamic look, you could still find yourself a peaceful corner, settling down when strolling in the beautiful old village of Bukchon Hanok (Bukchon Hanok Village, or simply Bukchon Village).

How to get to Bukchon Hanok Village: From Chungmuro Subway Station, we chose the orange line route No.3 to Anguk Station. After leaving the station, cross the street you will see a smaller street on the left where the gray tile roofs are laid down along the path in close proximity to the slope – This is the ancient village of Bukchon Hanok.

An ancient village in the midst of a bustling city

Nestled in the middle of the city of tall buildings, of the bustling streets is a beautiful ancient village in the north of capital Seoul – where daily life is peaceful, calm, gentle and unhurried and leisurely.. The ancient village of Bukchon Hanok Village preserves in its the long history and rich traditional culture of Korea. Coming here, you can also spend time to visiting nearby monuments and others interesting places like Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace and Jongmyo Shinto Shrine.

600 years ago, the architects built the “village in the north” Bukchon with unique architecture. So, standing from the bottom you can look at the roofs of the floor, the layer that attaches to the gray one. Hanok is a traditional Korean style house, influenced by the combination of China and Japan. From the houses of the peasantry to the aristocratic nobility have these common architectural features.

Bukchon Hanok was where the bureaucrats of Joseon Dynasty as well as the rich wealthy aristocrats lived hundreds of years ago. About 900 houses with Hanok architecture still retain the pristine beauty untouched by the time of change.

There are only a few houses have people live, most of them are restored, preserved as relics, cultural centers and shops selling specialties, local handicraft products … To visit the areas of the village, let’s spend time leisurely and strolling on the narrow alleys, steep slopes, looking for souvenirs at local shops which selling unique local accessories such as Korean makeup accessories, scented candles, hand- made crafts …

In particular, you can rent a Hanbok sets at 4,000 Won price (about $US 3.5) and relax walking around the village like a real local people. And do not forget to come into street cafes to taste the many flavors of numerous dishes of Korean cuisine such as: Tteok-bokki spicy rice cake, Odeng fried fish, Chicken Dak-kkochi roasted chicken skewers…

Baek In-Je House Museum

To learn more about the culture and architecture of the land of Kimchi (South Korea), do not forget to visit the Baek In-je House Museum, a typical Hanok-style house at the first position of the village. Baek In-je Museum openning from November 2015 for all visitors. You can register for an English guide tour to be hear the stories of aristocratic families who have lived here since the early 20th century; Or you can get a flyer to go and explore the campus house by yourself.

The Baek In-je Heritage House, built from wood of the black pine of the Yalu River region, was first introduced at the Gyeongseong Exhibition in 1907. Baek In-je has many distinctive features to distinguish it from the typical houses at the same period. First of all, unlike a traditional Hanok house, where Anchae (area for women) and Sarangchae (men’s area) are clearly separated. This house has Anchae and Sarangchae connected through a corridor. Therefore, do not have to go out of the door, people can easily move between the area for women and men. Japanese-style corridors, some rooms which feature tatami mats, are made of dried straws pressed tightly together to keep warm for the feet. The red bricks and glass windows are also different from the Hanok roofs built at the same time. In this home, you will also find a part of Anchae was built with a two-storey structure, which was unprecedented in Hanok architecture in Joseon time.

Also on this campus, you will be able to visit the home of the South Korean wealthy aristocrats hundreds of years ago with a reading room, tea room, drawing room, bedroom, living room, kitchen and baking area, soy fermentation area, salt kimchi … are still kept intact.

Experience for making traditional crafts

An interesting place to explore Korean traditional culture, not only watching and listening to interesting stories about the history of the village from the locals, you can also experience a class to making crafts at the shops or cultural center and museum such as folk paintings, ring making, embroidery, dyeing or participate other traditional activities. At first glance it looks complicated, but just follow the the instructions guide step by step you can also create necklaces, bracelets and phone straps with exquisite patterns, captivating colors. Besides, you can go to a coffee shop, sip a cup of coffee while learning how to make hand-made candles cups with many different aromas. Choose handmade cups, choose your own color and aroma for the candles, these will be the pretty little things you can bring back home as gifts from the land of Kimchi. In addition, there are classes handkerchief dye, natural stone carvings, embroidery flower on bags, traditional Korean braid classes from basic to advanced …

Just spend an afternoon as you can walk to discovering and experiencing Korean by taking part in these exciting traditional activities. Then, stop to enjoy a very cool dish: Ice-cream tube with frozen yogurt pumped into the pastry tubes. You can sit on a stone column on the sidewalk pavement to enjoy the fresh winds for the journey to explore the next places when the city lights up. Sure, you will have a really exciting and wonderful day!

Bukchon Village

Places to visit

Bukchon Cultural Center (북촌문화센터)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Transmit Culture Institutions
Bukchon Cultural Center was established to offer traditional cultural experience opportunities for citizens in Seoul. The programs include calligraphy, tea cere…

Hanok Homestay Information Center (한옥체험살이 안내센터)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Cultural Centers
Hanok Homestay Information Center was opened in the famous Bukchon Hanok Village by the Jongno-gu District Office to promote ‘hanok tourism’ in Seoul. The cente…

Seongsim Arts & Crafts (청원산방-성심예공원)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Transmit Culture Institutions
Located in Samcheong-dong and established in 1981, Seongsim Yeogongwon is an art studio by Sim Yong-sik (Intangible Cultural Property designated by City of Seou…

Rakkojae (락고재 (서울))
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Traditional&Cultural Experiences/ Temple Stays
Rakkojae is a traditional Korean-style guesthouse offering Korean food, Korean folk music and Korean folk dance. Visitors can experience the tasteful life of a …

Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Rare Animals/ Plants/Spectacular Cliffs & Rock Formations
Hyangnamu or ‘Aromatic Tree’ in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be about 700 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. It …

Further information

Address: 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 계동길 37 (계동))
Telephone: +82-2-2148-4160, +82-2-2148-4161
Opening times: N/A (Open all year round)
Entrance fee: Free
Pets: Allow
Homepage
bukchon.seoul.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
http://http://english.jongno.go.kr/ (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
How to get
[Subway]
Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 1 or 2. Go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.
[Bus]
Get off at Bukchon Hanok Village Bus Stop. Maeul Bus Jongno 02

You can rent Hanbok for trolling around Bukchon Hanok Village here: Bukchon Oneday Hanbok Rental Experience (4/24 Hrs).

What to know when traveling to South Korea

• Dress comfortably, avoid inconvenience when walking more. Should wear comfortable shoes because the streets in Korea has a lot of slope.
• Bukchon is a heritage town, so take a group of no more than 10 people for a view of the Old Quarter.
• In South Korea, there is a rental service for pocket-sized wifi box, which makes it easy for travelers to find information and keep in touch. You only need to deposit by credit card, the
  rental fee is about 8,000 won per day (about 160,000 VND).
• In Korea there are rentals boxes pocket wifi, convenient for the traveler looking for information and keep in touch. You only need a deposit by credit card, rental fees 8,000 won / day (about US$7).
• Taxis in South Korea running 24 hours, starting at 2,800 won for the first 2km and 100 Won for every 144 meters thereafter (midnight to 4 am, plus 20%). Buses and subways cost 1,350 won / way.
• Shopping in South Korea can be refunded 70 – 80% of tax. Note to keep the invoices for tax refund at the airport.
• If you are Vietnamese. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has announced a simplified procedure for visa applications for visitors to Korea.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Seoul you can refer to

• Private Incheon International Airport Transfers (ICN) for Seoul
• Private Incheon Airport Transfers (ICN) for Seoul
• Incheon International Airport (ICN) Limousine Bus Transfers for Seoul (Gangnam District)
• Klook Exclusive Seoul 5 Day Pass
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• [SALE] Instant Ticket! Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5 Days to travel around the cities in Korea
• Private Incheon Airport (ICN) and Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfers for Seoul by S.A Tour
• Everland Private Car Charter with Admission Ticket by Wondertrip
• KAL Limousine Bus Ticket for Seoul
• [Limited Offer] AREX Incheon Airport Express Train One Way Ticket in Seoul
• Bukchon Oneday Hanbok Rental Experience (4/24 Hrs)
• Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, and Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour from Seoul
• Seoul City Sightseeing Bus (Downtown Palace Namsan Course/Seoul Panorama Course)
• [Limited Offer] Incheon International Airport (ICN) Luggage Services (Between Airport and Hotel) by Safex
• 4G Prepaid SIM Card (SK Airports Pick Up) for South Korea
• [Sale] Hanbok Experience (Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store) with Korean Hairstyling
• [SALE] South Korea 4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airports Pick Up) from KT Olleh
• 4G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for South Korea (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Portable WiFi for South Korea from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)

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