Introduction
Bukchon Hanok Village is a Korean traditional village in Seoul which has a long history present on the top of a hill between Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace and Jongmyo Royal Shrine.
The traditional village consists of many alleys, hanok and shows a 600-year-old urban environment.
History
The area of Bukchon consists of these neighborhoods: Wonseo-dong, Jae-dong, Gye-dong, Gahoe-dong and Insa-dong.
It was the traditional residential quarter of high-ranking government officials and nobility during the Joseon Dynasty. It lies north of Cheonggye Stream and Jongno, hence the name is Bukchon, which means north village.
How to reach Bukchon Hanok Village?
To reach Bukchon Hanok, you can get off at the Jongno 3(sam)-ga station on the Purple Line (Number 5). Use the exit number 2 and start walking straight from there.
The road leads to an intersection where local guides are present in red uniforms. They explain all the important sites and alleys using a map and help with directions.
Then from here on, you can follow the map and go into the atmosphere of Korean History and culture.
Main Attractions
Bukchon Traditional Culture Center
This Center offers traditional cultural programs on calligraphy, tea ceremony, Chinese characters, and pansori (musical storytelling).Other traditional crafts include classes on natural dyeing, black bamboo craft, maedeup (decorative knot craft), jogakbo (patchwork), etc. It also has lectures on hanok (traditional Korean house), movie screening, and concerts.
Bukchon Hanok Hall
Bukchon Hanok Hall exhibits the works by Han Sang Soo, a master artisan of embroidery designated as Intangible Cultural Asset No. 80, as well as embroidery-related relics and folk artifacts that he collected.
Baek Injeโs House
Baek Injeโs House in Gahoe-dong area in Bukchon is a leading set of buildings from the Japanese colonial era. Inside this there is a unique style of modern hanok (traditional Korean house) which remains the same. Overlooking the village at a glance, there is a large anchae (main building). It has a big garden with the sarangchae (menโs quarters) at the center. There is also a small byeoldangchae (detached house) at the highest place of the house. It maintains the traditional beauty of hanok while reflecting modern style. This represents Bukchon in terms of both it’s size and historical value. It has also been designated as a Folklore Cultural Heritage of the Seoul Metropolitan City.
Exploring alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village
I am a real antique enthusiast and like to learn about various cultures and histories. Ever since I have been living in Korea, I was craving to visit the traditional places. So when I finally explored Bukchon, it made me very happy.
Bukchon Hanok village is a place where travelers can embrace the beauty of traditional Korean houses. The alleys of Bukchon have a unique and satisfying vintage feel about them.
Here, housewives hang their laundry and set out hot peppers to dry in the sun. Children play hide and seek, peeking around the corners of the narrow streets. The elderly watch on, conversing among themselves.
The conservative and historical importance has made Hanok a trend in recent years. The real charm of Bukchon lies in its tiny alleys, which wind and twist between its age-old, still-lived-in hanoks, where everyday life runs its course.
For visitors, the alleys of Bukchon provide an interesting look into the lives of ordinary Koreans. Their daily routines are intriguing and provide good insight on how the culture has still been conserved.
There are numerous little alleys and each one has many number of vintage houses and buildings. There are very large number of restaurants, cafรฉs and food outlets to choose from. A whole alley is dedicated towards creating a versatile experience for tourists.
Many hanbok shops are present where you can rent a hanbok which is the traditional dress of Korea.
Many couples rent hanbok and go around exploring the alleys because they feel it makes them closer to Korean culture which is a great thing. Tourists have certainly enhanced the importance of Korean culture more than it already was.
Remarks
Nowadays, Bukchon is favored by locals and tourists alike. And, thanks to its unique atmosphere, created by a stark contrast of old and new, it will no doubt remain to be for quite some time.
It is an amazing place to roam around and learn about Korean heritage. I found the place really great and would recommend everyone to visit it once for sure.
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