If there’s a place where you can take a ticket back to the ancient era in Korea, that would be Bukchon Hanok Village. Going strong for over 600 years, Bukchon Hanok has been impeccably preserved and transformed into a living time capsule where the old and the new co-exist.
Today, a short walk along the small alleyways sneaking into the old rooftops brings an uncanny feel, knowing that these ancient houses served as the private residences of the noble figures working at the imperial city.
To make the most of your visit to Bukchon Hanok, map out your stroll along the eight scenic views which I will break down in detail below.
How To Get To Bukchon Hanok Village?
Hail the subway line 3 to Anguk Station and head out of Exit 6. The Bukchon Hanok Village is just over five minutes walk away.
Bukchon Hanok is a massive complex where the old houses are nestled in between other popular attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine.
Walk The Eight Scenic Views In Bukchon Hanok Village
View #1: View of Changdeokgung Palace over the stonewall
The first scenic vista you’ll encounter looks out to the washed-out rooftops of the Changdeokgung Palace. You won’t be seeing the entire house but rather the very top part of the building looming behind the old stone wall.
View #2: Wonseo-dong Handicraft Road
Follow the trail beside the palaces and you will reach Wonseo-dong. As part of the ancient royal complex, this back alley is home to the craftsmanship family that once served the noble figures at the royal palaces.
On top of each residential house, they place a wooden sign board written in Korean stating the number of the intangible cultural property managed by the state.
View #3 to #7: Gahoe-dong
Co-existing with the craftsmen, private living chambers inhabited by nobles, scholars, and government officials can be found in the Gahoe-dong 11 area. These low-ceiling houses have turned into dining holes, tea houses, and cafes in order to maintain their close connection to visitors.
Some teahouses also advise guests and customers to speak softly and maintain a quiet environment for the local residents in the area. The path leading up to Gahoe-dong 11 is pretty steep so make sure your fitness level agrees.
My tip is to visit Gahoe-dong 11 first thing in the morning and follow up with the rest of the views later as it’s less crowded and you’re guaranteed a better chance to snap some shots.
The Gahoe-dong, in fact, is an extensive alleyway leading uphill from the hillside to the downward alley. The further you go, the more crowded it gets with lots of visitors photo-shooting in traditional hanbok.
Plenty of hanbok rental stores also pop up around this area. Noontime is the peak season to stop by this place so make sure you plan your trip wisely.
Once you reach the end of Gahoe-dong which is at the top of the hill, you’ll be stunned to soak in the dramatic yet peaceful vista of the far-flung mountains. It’s even more gorgeous to admire the maple leaves and ginkgo trees when autumn is around the corner.
View #8: Samcheong-dong Stone Stairway
Samcheong-dong is now a bustling shopping hub in the Bukchon Hanok Village, while the stone stairway is not much of a photoshoot backdrop but the main thrill here is all about the view.
Conclusion: More Travel Ideas Near Bukchon Hanok Village
Once your trip to Bukchon Hanok comes to an end, make sure to stop by Isaac Toast to recharge and get a bite out of that crunchy toast. Isaac is more like a takeaway station with a few seats indoors. They have about 18 fillings here. The brand has developed multiple branches throughout the city but the closest one to Bukchon Hanok is Issac Gyeongbokgung.
In the afternoon, complete your day trip to either the two palaces of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung or go shopping at Samcheong-dong and Insa-dong.
Everything You Need to Know about Korea
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- Travel Guide: A Pocket South Korea Travel Guide
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- Food: Ultimate South Korea Food Guide
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