Previously, I introduced Jeonju Hanok Village in Jeolla Province. Today, I will introduce Bukchon Hanok Village. While it may be smaller in scale compared to Jeonju Hanok Village, it holds significance as an ancient capital.
In fact, it was home to high-ranking officials who frequently visited the royal palaces. Even today, some of the houses still remain, making it an interesting place to explore.
The Hanok Village itself is charming, but there are also plenty of nearby attractions that make it feel like time has stopped. That’s why it's a popular destination for tourists from overseas. Let me tell you about some places worth visiting.
Bukchon Cultural Center
This is a Hanok open to both tourists and locals. It provides an opportunity to experience a traditional Korean house, and the center offers free tours for those unfamiliar with Hanok.
You can receive brochures in various languages about Bukchon Hanok Village here. The address is 37 Gye-dong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
From Tuesday to Friday, there are Hanok explanations given in Korean at 11 a.m. and in English at 2 p.m. The tour lasts about 40 minutes. It’s a great place to learn about Hanok if you have the chance.
You can visit this place before or after touring Bukchon Hanok Village.
Bukchon Hanok Village
The address is 37 Gye-dong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Bukchon Hanok Village is the main attraction I’m introducing today, and actual residents live here. They are not nobles as in the past, but regular citizens.
Due to the recent influx of tourists, visiting hours have been set. It is not open on Sundays. From Monday to Saturday, you can visit between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
This is a place where you walk around and explore rather than staying in one spot. You can see various Hanok houses and enjoy views of Seoul in the distance.
There are also souvenir shops and lovely cafes nearby. You can rent traditional Korean clothing, Hanbok, if you wish.
Renting Hanbok
While exploring the Hanok Village, you can rent Hanbok, the traditional Korean attire. It’s visible nearby, so if you want to wear one, you can visit right away. Wearing Hanbok allows you to experience the atmosphere of the past.
However, Hanbok can be uncomfortable if you sweat a lot, so it’s not recommended on hot days.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Located at 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Gyeongbokgung is a palace built during the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. It is about 10 to 20 minutes away from Bukchon Hanok Village. If you visit in the morning around 10 a.m., you can watch the changing of the royal guard ceremony at the palace gates.
Since it was the king's residence, the palace is quite large. It takes about 2 hours to see everything. If you’re short on time, focus on Gyeonghoeru, Geunjeongjeon, Sajeongjeon, Gangnyeongjeon, and Gyotaejeon, which are the main spots.
Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House)
Adjacent to Gyeongbokgung Palace is Cheong Wa Dae, the former office and residence of South Korea’s president. The exact address is 1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
It is no longer the president’s office. After President Yoon Suk-yeol took office, it was opened to the public, allowing visitors to tour inside.
Foreigners or those aged 65 and over can apply for tours on-site. Note that entry times are fixed: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.
Following the route from the Grand Garden to the Main Building, Small Garden, Presidential Residence, Sangchunjae, and Chunchugwan provides the best tour experience. It’s close to Bukchon Hanok Village, so you’ll be satisfied wherever you visit first.
In Conclusion
That concludes the introduction of Bukchon Hanok Village and its nearby attractions in Seoul. I hope you have a wonderful trip!
The official website in English is here.