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Traditional Korean Village at Bukchon Hanok in Seoul

Traditional Korean Village at Bukchon Hanok in Seoul

Published on Jul. 30, 2013 by

I was lucky enough to receive a private tour inside a traditional Korean house completely custom built over the year inside Bukchon Hanok Village.

sweating like a pig inside a traditional korean house in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreatraditional korean bed covers - bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreasteep streets in bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Korea

On my way to Changdeokgung palace I stopped by Bukchon Hanok village which is a popular tourist area a little north of the Seoul city center.

cool store north of seoul in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreagorgeous and well-maintained streets in bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Korea

Bukchon Hanok Village is a Korean traditional village with a long history located between Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace and Jongmyo Royal Shrine.

the popular bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Korea in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreathe popular bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Korea

The traditional village is composed of lots of alleys, hanok and is preserved to show a 600-year-old urban environment.

bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreainside a tradional korean house in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreaenjoying a cup of tea inside bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreaprivate tour through a traditional korean house inside bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Korea

Now it is used as a traditional culture center and hanok restaurant, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of the Joseon Dynasty.

bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village

Due to the increasing amounts of visitors to the Bukchon Hanok Village area, the number of complaints from residents living in the village about disruptions in their neighborhood has increased.

bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreatraditional korean stove bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Korea

Just 30 years ago, there were over 800,000 hanoks in Seoul, but today only some 12,000 remain with 900 concentrated in Seoul Bukchon Hanok Village. Hanok are typically single-story structures made of clay, wood and stone with ondol heated floors topped by curved tile roofs called giwa.

my private tour guide at bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreamy private tour guide at bukchon hanok village

As hanok continue to be demolished in other parts of Seoul, at least one neighborhood is making an effort to preserve them.

bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreawestern ladies at bukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Koreabukchon hanok village in Seoul, Seoul Special City, South Korea

Let’s hope the sea of arching tile roofs and winding alley roads still found in Seoul Bukchon Hanok Village can stick around. 

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