Bukchon Hanok Village- A Glorified Immersion Into Traditional Culture

If Korea’s colorful culture and heritage fascinate you, then Bukchon Hanok Village should rank high on your bucket list for places to visit.

The stunning destination is surrounded by a number of notable monumental locations. For instance, you have the renowned Gyeongbokgung Palace in the vicinity. At the same time, you’ll also recognize the famous Shrine for Jongmyo too.

As you can probably guess by the name, this destination is actually a village. And that means it is literally surrounded by thousands of little houses. But these houses aren’t your usual modern-day residence. They are actually traditional homes called hanok.

Unbelievingly, this village dates back to the Joseon Dynasty. Hence, a visit to this treasured destination is similar to visiting a jewel of the Korean nation.

How do I get there- Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon actually translates into the words ‘northern village.’ And that relates to the beautiful destination’s strategic location.

Here, you’ll find it in the center of two prominent landmarks of Seoul. These include the Cheonggyecheon Stream as well as the Jongno too.

You can arrive at your destination by using the subway towards Anguk Station. This is Seoul Subway Line 3. Now, take exit number 3 and turn towards your right. You’ll immediately find the stunningly classic location.

History- unraveling Korea’s rich ancient past

With several famous and age-old neighborhoods in the surrounding, Bukchon Village is steeped amidst 600-year-old history. And this dates back to the Joseon Dynasty era. To help you get an idea of how old it actually is, you can think about centuries long ago, 1392 to 1897. Yes, it was truly a long time ago.

Since there are two iconic landmarks in the form of palaces nearby, this place used to be flooded with government and military officials. Moreover, they all belonged to high ranks and prominent statuses.

If you lived in a Hanok, you were termed as noble. Above all, don’t let these little Korean homes fool you. They are truly more than meets the eye.

Bukchon Hanok Village- captivating views for days

According to the famous Confucian beliefs, this location is very strategically located. And that has to do with the fact that it’s nestled towards the southern aspect of the Baegak and Eungbongsan peaks.

Above all, this strategic positioning is what grants it magnificent views for days. Think along the lines of lush greenery in the form of forests. At the same time, it offers captivating views of the nearby vicinity.

All in all, it’s sure to take your breath away.

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A cultural exploration- Bukchon Hanok Village

Believe it or not, this destination might actually be one of the Korean nation’s best-kept secrets. Yes, it’s truly mesmerizing to witness the finest aspects of Korean culture and heritage with this journey.

You’ll be surprised to note how each of the hundreds of hanoks or classic homes actually serve as so much more. For instance, some act as restaurants while others as cultural centers.

On the other hand, some of these traditional Korean homes are actually guest houses and tea houses too. As you head on towards the village, you’ll instantly immerse yourself in cultural exploration.

Classic architecture at its best

While the classic homes may look tiny, every single piece of construction speaks for itself. Not only are the little hanoks aesthetically pleasing to look at, but they’re also remarkably created.

Yes, they are specifically designed to achieve balance in a particular construction style. This way, it accustoms to the location’s geographic surroundings.

Originally, the materials used for its construction are fabulous. They also include an ondol flooring with curved roofs. This helped to keep locals warm during the harsh winters. And till today, they remain sturdy.

As years passed, the area started to change towards a more modern and urban era. And that meant a great expansion of the traditional Korean society. With time, commoners started to occupy the area.

Bukchon Cultural Center- old meets new

As years passed, the homes became more modern. And meant taking on a more aesthetically appealing aura. Moreover, today, younger generation value the little homes. Hence, they purchase them and renovate it with sustainable materials.

One of the biggest benefits of this notion is how modern and attractive this transformation is. For instance, there are more attractive features to welcome tourism. This includes cafes, shops, boutiques, and art galleries too.

Similarly, you won’t be surprised to find a cultural museum and gift shops too. How cool is that? At the same time, there are tiny workshops where artisans indulge in their crafts. And that helps to preserve the region’s history.