Image credit: sepavo
What
Bukchon Hanok Village is an old village located in the heart of Seoul. This place attracts people with its myriad traditional houses dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, which are called hanok by the locals.
The village once was the residential quarter of nobles and high-ranking officials. This once-upon-a-time prestige living area is still home of Seoulites up to the present. Nowadays, there are hanok that serve as people’s homes; and there are hanok that live their lives as a restaurant, a café, a shop or a museum.
If you want to know how Bukchon Hanok Village positions itself in relation to royal places that it is connected with in some ways, then the answer is: It sits between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace.
Why
Lounging at this long history village gives us the feeling of traveling back in time in a giant time machine. Yes, you have many other fellow travelers there with you to join this thrilling adventure.
It is a chance to step back in time and have a closer look into Seoul of the olden days. Just let yourself get lost in the narrow alleys long enough to soak up all the beautiful things of the hanok, which are uniquely built with tiled roofs and patterned walls.
Bukchon Hanok Village offers a stark contrast to the modern buildings that can be seen from a distance. Photo spots are marked for travelers who want to take the best pictures showing the old houses and the Seoul skyline in the background.
Complete the experience with a cup of coffee at a local café and watch people seeking their own doses of nostalgia.
Visitor information
Admission to the village is free while some museums and workshops in the village collect an entrance fee.
Free walking tours are available; they start at Unhyeongung Palace, Anguk Station.
Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential area so visitors are advised to keep the noise level as low as possible.
