Eunice Tan
Bukchon Hanok Village is an Instagram-worthy site to stroll through but unbeknownst to many, this quaint tourist attraction and its surrounding area have so much more to offer in terms of activities! Read on to unravel the many things to do in Bukchon Hanok Village that will allow you to immerse yourself in the richness of this area.
1. Get the quintessential Hanbok experience
No trip to the Bukchon Hanok Village would be complete without renting hanboks (traditional Korean costumes) and parading through the village as a quasi-Korean for the day! Be sure to pose against the ancient stone walls of the Bukchon Hanok Village and snap away! The elegance that the hanboks exude will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to the Joseon Dynasty or a historical K-drama.
Look out for this shop when you’re in the area. From headgear to elaborately woven outfits of a dazzling myriad of colours, you’ll be spoilt for choice at this store.
2. Enter a hanok to admire the artisan displays
There are a few hanok (traditional houses) within the village that have their doors open, beckoning you with the visually-arresting handicraft pieces on display. The hand-painted display items usually feature woven textiles with a variety of designs – even Winnie the Pooh! Here’s your chance to bring home a keepsake to reminisce about your experience that has been Seoul amazing.
3. Get crafty in a cultural workshop
Visit the Traditional Crafts Experience Centre (pictured above) and learn the secrets behind the intricate items displayed within the village. Be sure to plan your schedule in advance to accommodate the hands-on activities offered here. The workshops have a small participation fee and are available in a few languages, such as Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese.
Can’t get enough? You can find an array of workshops if you’d like to glimpse into the hard work and sweat behind the ancient crafts that epitomise Korean culture. A few to look out for are the Donglim Knot Workshop, the Hansangsu Embroidery Workshop and the Gahoe Folk Drawing Shop.
4. Immerse yourself in art
The cultural flavour of this village pervades the entire area! Even some ordinary building facades near the Bukchon Hanok Village have murals that resemble a series of paintings with an eclectic mix of Korean, Chinese and Western styles. With such street art complementing the intricate workmanship involved in the construction of the hanok, this neighbourhood simply brimming with artistic elements.
5. Shop for souvenirs
As if the Bukchon Hanok Village is not aesthetically pleasing enough, this souvenir shop, located among the row of shops adjacent to the village, is literally blooming with beauty! A Mecca for lovers of pretty, economically-priced items, this shop offers practically everything from cartoon-themed socks to elegant scarfs you can decorate your handbags with. Strike a pose; Mickey and Minnie await to grace your photographs!
6. Go café-hopping
Coffee joints like this one are ubiquitous in the vicinity of the village, probably because the shop owners have anticipated visitors who crave for a piping hot café au lait after their explorations! This particular coffee joint even serves up macarons to complete the package. Surely you won’t be able to resist stepping into a café this lovely!
7. Eat – of course!
After your extensive exploration of the village and its surrounding area, what could be better than having the aroma of home-cooked Korean cuisine greet you?
Head to Cityfood Noodles Myung-ga, a humble and cosy restaurant tucked along the row of souvenir shops. This restaurant is managed by a mother-and-son team and as you can see from the menu, the noodles are priced reasonably. So give yourself the indulgence your belly deserves!
The comforting simplicity of the noodles served here, such as the Noodle Soup with Spicy Seafood (you can also request for a non-spicy one), will evoke a sense of home away from home. If bulgogi is a favourite of yours, I recommend trying the beef bulgogi pictured above. And while the Seafood and Green Onion Pancake was not much to rave about, the abundance of prawns and squid compensated for the slightly muted taste of the pancake.
There is also a multitude of teahouses and restaurants available should you prefer to have your fill in the village itself!
8. Experience a Hanok homestay
If you already know you will love the Bukchon Hanok Village so much, why don’t you book a night or two in a guesthouse within the village? By doing so, you’ll have the chance to experience the way of life in a village that has been in existence since the Joseon Dynasty! The nostalgic tranquillity will surely be a refreshing reprieve from the fast-paced modernity that you’re accustomed too. For more details, check out the Hanok Homestay Information Centre.
So that concludes your tour of the Bukchon Hanok Village! I hope this guide will be of assistance to you in appreciating the full range of experiences in this charming tourist hotspot. Bon voyage!
