This post will concentrate on the visit to Bukchon – the Hanok village.
Anguk Station [Line 3], Exit 2
37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
A Hanok is a traditional Korean house that was introduced during the Joseon Dynasty.
Korean architecture is very structured. It considers the position of the house in relation to its surroundings. Thought is also given to the land and the seasons when designing and building the house.
Bukchon – or Northern Village (owing to the fact it lies north of the Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno) – is home to hundreds of these traditional houses. The village itself is surround by Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces and also the Jongmyo Shrine.
As I was walking around, I noticed that some of them had been turned in to tea houses, restaurants, guest houses and cultural centres. This enables you to enter them and see how they are on the inside.
They are of all shapes and sizes. The village itself is a maze of winding streets and Hanoks.
I was probably here for a couple of hours immersing myself in what the village has to offer. It made for great photo opportunities and plenty of exercise! Don’t tell your friends, but it lies on a bit of an incline so your calves will hurt!
As I was walking around, I saw a sign that asked tourists not to visit as it was ruining the village.
As I was coming to the end of looking around the village, I came across a busker who asked if I was American. I told him I was from the UK and he asked what song I wanted him to play. I couldn’t think of one and he ended playing Hey Jude by the Beatles.
Here is our friendly Bukchon Busker
Heading away from the village and almost back at the metro, I came across a guy in the street doing magic. He spoke in Korean so I had no idea what was said, but he was impressive and held the attention of the kids and adults alike.
Here is our friendly Bukchon Magician
Below are some of my favourite pictures from Bukchon.
Click here to view all my pictures from Bukchon