Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is a historic village dating back almost 600 years to the Joseon Dynasty which features hanok or Korean traditional houses. Bukchon means “northern village.” The quaint residential village lies in a hilly neighborhood north of Cheonggyecheon Stream and between two royal palaces, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace.

A hanok is an traditional wooden house that were at a time found all over Korea. Over time, the old style buildings have been replaced by newer concrete structures. Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the only places in the country where the traditional history of Korea can be found.

During the Joseon Dynasty, royal families, aristocrats, wealthy citizens, and government officials lived in many of the hanok residences in the village.

In the 1960s, the area was set for renovation, which would have meant the destruction or relocation of many of the hanok buildings.

Thankfully, locals who beloved the area protested the areas renovation. The area was spared by the government. While many other areas in Seoul are packed with high rises and new construction, the Bukchon Hanok Village has stayed surprisingly untouched with mostly low rise buildings.

There are about 900 hanok buildings in the area today, many which have been restored to their former glory using traditional designs and materials.

Today, Bukchon Hanok Village is a fascinating collection of restaurants, tea houses, cultural centers and more providing visitors with a rich Korean traditional culture experience.

There are also a wide variety of interesting museums and cultural centers located in the area including the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center, Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Center, Donglim Knot Museum, Gahoe Museum, Han Sangsu Embroidery Museum, Bukchon Asian Art Museum, and Owl Museum.

Those who want to reach the Bukchon Hanok Village by foot can leaven Anguk Station and walk north for about 10 minutes.

8 Bukchon Views

View 1: Panoramic view of Changdeokgung Palace

View 2: Wonseo-dong Gongbang-gil

View 3: 11 Gahoe-dong area

View 4: Hillside area at 31 Gahoe-dong

View 5: Downward alley in Gahoe-dong

View 6: Upward alley in Gahoe-dong

View 7: 31 Gahoe-dong

View 8: Stone steps in Samcheong-dong

Hanok Guest Houses

Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the best places in Seoul to experience staying overnight in a traditional wooden hanok house. Many of the hanok in the area have been converted into guest houses. These guest houses provide locals and tourists with a unique traditional experience found nowhere else.

Anguk Guesthouse

This charming wooden guesthouse features single, double, twin, and family rooms. Rooms have private toilets and no televisions. Breakfast is not included.
Rates: 50,000-65,000 (single), 60,000-78-000 (double), 70,000-91,000 (twin), 200,000 (family)
Address: 72-3 Anguk-Dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea

Bukchon Guest House

Room amenities include TV, Wifi, air conditioner, hair dryer. Other amenities computer, refrigerator, water, iron, washing machine. Includes Korean style breakfast.

Rates: 50,000 (single), 70,000-80,000 (twin), 90,000-100,000 (double), 120,000-130,000 (triple)
Address: 72 Gye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea ‎

Tea GuestHouse

Room amenities include private shower, toilet, heater, air conditioning, tv, computer, and wifi. Other amenities free breakfast, include traditional Korean tea and mineral water, refrigerator, and microwave.
Rates: 70,000 (single), 80,000-100,000 (double), 100,000-120,000 (deluxe double), 150,000 (family room
Address: 131-1 Gye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea‎

Nearby Sights

Baek In-je House Museum

Baek In-je House Museum is a museum and cultural heritage site located in the Gahoe-dong neighborhood of Bukchon Hanok Village. Dating back over 100 years, the house is one of the finest examples of a modern hanok (traditional Korean house) from the period. Though built using traditional styles, the house uses modern techniques of the time including glass windows, doors, and red bricks.

Samcheong-dong

Samcheongdong is a trendy and upscale neighborhood of Seoul that lies in a scenic area just east of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House). This youthful neighborhood is named after the clean and beautiful water, mountains, and residents in the area.

Hwagae-gil Shoes Street

National Folk Museum of Korea

The National Folk Museum of Korea is a museum on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace, not to be confused with the nearby National Palace Museum of Korea which is also found on the palace grounds.

Bukchon Traditional Culture Center

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace, located north of Gwanghwamun Square, is one of the most iconic sights in all of Korea thanks to its long and storied history. Construction on Gyeongbokgung Palace was completed in 1395 at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty during the reign of King Taejo. Gyeongbokgung, which means "palace greatly blessed by Heaven," was built in the heart of Seoul surrounded by Mount Bugaksan and Mount Namsan.

Last Updated on May 25, 2024