jkbdd- Favorite Pockets of Tradition Villages & streets embracing the past & the present

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There are still many areas in Korea that have stood the test of time and serve as living, breathing reminders of Korea's past. Some of the most representative traditional areas in Korea are Bukchon Hanok Village and the streets of Insa-dong (Seoul) and the Andong Hahoe Village and Gyeongju Yangdong Village (Gyeongsangbuk-do Province). The Hahoe Village and Yangdong Village have even been designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites in recognition of their deep cultural and historical roots. In these inhabitated, traditional villlages traces of the past linger in every corner and visitors cannot help but feel the unspoken reverence that seems to be adrift in the air. So, take some time to step back in time with a visit to one of these traditional neighborhoods.

Bukchon Hanok Village Where 600 Years of History is Alive From exit 3 of Anguk Station (Subway line 3), go past Jaedong Elementary School and up Gahoedaero Road and you'll soon find yourself strolling along an alley lined with finely-crafted hanok homes. Houses in the Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul have been preserved in their original state for 600 years (and counting!). As you walk along the streets of carved hanoks with gently touching eaves, you'll soon find yourself transported back in time to an enchanting and somewhat simpler time. Recently, Bukchon has become home to many hanok galleries and traditional workshops. Some hanok homes have even been renovated into restaurants, offering a unique cultural experience. The Bukchon Culture Center, opened in 2002, offers quality cultural lectures and programs where visitors can learn calligraphy, practical traditional painting, tea ceremony, Korean knot art, traditional embroidery, bojagi art, and hanji art. The center also organizes various cultural events like movie screenings, concerts, and exhibitions. Workshops and museums in the village also offer a wide range of hands-on programs. The Dong-Lim Knot Museum offers programs for beginner, intermediate and advanced knot-makers and even offers customized lessons for those wishing to become professional artisans. The Bukchon Museum Old Fragrance has on exhibit household goods from the modern era that were collected in the Bukchon area. There are also several hanok guesthouses for international guests.