In the southeastern region of South Korea lies North Gyeongsang Province, home to two historical villages: Hahoe Village in Andong City and Yangdong Village in Gyeongju City. These two sites were collectively inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 under the name “Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong.”
While the thatched and tiled roofs may resemble the countryside scenery found, the atmosphere of these villages is quite distinct. Often described as open-air museums, the villages preserve traditional hanok (Korean houses) from the Joseon Dynasty, with cultural assets scattered throughout. Today, staying overnight in these historic villages via homestay accommodations has become increasingly popular—a compelling reason to visit!
Let’s explore the captivating charm of these heritage villages.
What Are the Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong?
The UNESCO site comprises Hahoe Village in Andong and Yangdong Folk Village in Gyeongju. These villages preserve the traditional lifestyle of the yangban, Korea’s aristocratic class, and are still inhabited by descendants who continue to uphold their cultural traditions.
The significance of these villages is recognized worldwide—Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and former U.S. President George W. Bush have both visited.
Hahoe Village has been inhabited by the Pungsan Ryu clan for over 600 years. “Pungsan” refers to the region, and in Korea, surnames often indicate ancestral origins.
Hahoe is a so-called “clan village”, where about 70% of current residents are members of the Ryu family.
The village is also famous for its unique wooden masks (tal), dating back to the Goryeo period.
It’s best known for the Hahoe Byeolsingut Mask Dance Drama, and the Andong International Mask Dance Festival is held annually.
Be sure to visit the Hahoe Mask Museum, located within the village.
In Yangdong Village, located in Gyeongju, the Yeoju Yi and Wolseong Son clans have coexisted for around 500 years—a rare occurrence for a clan village.
These families have maintained their traditions while fostering each other’s growth. The village is also known for producing many distinguished historical figures, including scholars of Confucianism and members of Seonggyungwan, the highest educational institution of the Joseon era.
While admiring the traditional architecture and streetscapes, be sure to notice the feng shui-approved natural environment: the village is surrounded by streams and mountains, which not only provide clean air and water but also ideal conditions for farming. Especially famous is their fermented soybean paste (doenjang)—their doenjang jjigae and cheonggukjang dishes are considered local specialties.
Name: Hahoe Village
Address: 40 Hahoe Jongga-gil, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong-si, North Gyeongsang, South Korea
Website: http://www.hahoe.or.kr/japanese/sub1.asp
Name: Yangdong Folk Village
Address: 134 Yangdongmaeul-gil, Gangdong-myeon, Gyeongju-si, North Gyeongsang, South Korea
Website: http://yangdong.invil.org/index.html
How to Access the Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
〈To Hahoe Village〉
From Andong City, take bus #46—it takes about 50 minutes to reach Hahoe Village.
Buses run just once per hour, so be sure to check the timetable in advance.
To get to Andong, there are intercity buses from major cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Daegu, taking just under 3 hours. Note that buses from Busan are less frequent.
For those wishing to avoid long rides, traveling via Daegu (within North Gyeongsang Province) is recommended—it offers buses at 20-minute intervals, and the ride takes about 90 minutes.
〈To Yangdong Village〉
Take bus #203 from Gyeongju Station, Shin-Gyeongju Station, or the Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal and get off at Yangdong Elementary School Front. Travel time varies: From Gyeongju Station: ~50 minutes, From Shin-Gyeongju Station: ~70 minutes, and From the Bus Terminal: ~90 minutes. Other buses (numbers 200–202, 205–208, and 212) also reach the Yangdong Village entrance, but it’s a 15-minute walk from there to the village.
To get to Gyeongju, take the KTX (Korean high-speed rail) from Seoul (2 hours) or Busan (under 30 minutes). Intercity buses are also available from other nearby cities.
Highlights of the Historic Villages of Hahoe and Yangdong
◆ Traditional Streetscapes
Both villages feature hanok houses with tiled or thatched roofs. Though hanok can also be found in places like Bukchon in Seoul, the sheer number and grandeur of these structures in Hahoe and Yangdong set them apart. Hahoe Village: 127 preserved hanok houses and Yangdong Village: 164 preserved hanok houses.
A particularly popular spot among tourists is Tamyeonje (澹然齊), a house linked to the famous Korean actor Ryu Si-won, who is a descendant of the Pungsan Ryu clan. This house gained fame after a visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999.
If time permits, take a ferry across the Nakdong River to visit Buyongdae Cliff, where you can hike a small hill for a panoramic view of Hahoe Village.
The peaceful view looks straight out of a fairytale—don’t forget to snap a photo!
In Yangdong Village, the most renowned hanok is Hyangdan, built in 1543. Once a grand estate with 99 rooms (approx. 180m long), a portion has been lost to time, and today 56 rooms (~102m) remain. While it’s still a private residence and not open to casual visitors, reservations allow for tours and cultural experiences.
◆ Hahoe Mask Museum
Hahoe Village is also known for its wooden masks (Hahoe Tal), a traditional culture dating back to the Goryeo era. Among Korea’s various traditional masks, only the Hahoe Mask is designated a National Treasure.
Near the village entrance is the Hahoe Mask Museum, which displays replicas of the original masks. These masks are asymmetrical, mimicking real human facial features, and their expressions change depending on the angle from which they’re viewed. The original masks are housed at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul.
The museum also showcases around 500 masks from 35 countries, including:
Japanese masks such as Noh, Tengu, Namahage, and Otafuku. Chinese masks from Journey to the West and The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Don’t miss the Hahoe Byeolsingut Mask Dance Drama, performed with these iconic masks.
◎ Summary
With streetscapes that feel frozen in time and traditions handed down for over 600 years, the Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong are living museums and must-visit cultural heritage sites.
While visiting Korea’s palaces is a great way to admire its royal past, exploring these villages offers insight into the everyday lives of past generations—arguably a deeper, more personal way to experience history.