Andong Hahoe Folk Village

Hahoe means “enveloped by water,” and the village’s location at the river’s bend offers scenic views alongside historic buildings, many of which are still home to descendents of the Ryu clan who began settling here centuries ago. Take in the architecture and learn about the region’s history at the village museum.

Book a tour to the village to avoid navigating public transport—for which signs are almost exclusively in Korean. Tours typically include transfers and a traditional Korean lunch, and cover local highlights such as Buyongdae Cliff and the Goddess Samsin Tree. Multi-day tours often combine Andong Hahoe Folk Village with stops in cities such as Busan and Geongju and some of the region’s top national parks.

• Andong Hahoe Folk Village plays a significant role in South Korea’s history.

• There are several restaurants and shops, in addition to public restrooms, in the village.

• For the ultimate Korean experience, stay overnight in a traditional hanok hotel in the center of the village.

From the central bus terminal in Seoul, you can take a bus to Andong, from which the village is another 50 minutes by bus. This is a lengthy process, so, if traveling from Seoul it’s easiest to book a day trip or multi-day excursion that includes round-trip transfers.

The village is open daily from morning until early evening year-round. For the least crowded experience, plan your visit for a weekday morning. On weekends, the village gets crowded with visitors.

Must-see sights in Andong Hahoe Folk Village include the Hahoe Mask Museum, which exhibits more than 3,200 Korean and international masks and offers a selection of mask-making workshops, and the Byeongsanseowon Confucia Academy, a sacred complex that dates back to the 14th century.

Andong in South Korea is known for its preservation of traditional cultural practices such as the Hahoe mask dance. The UNESCO-listed Hahoe Folk Village is the city’s biggest attraction with straw-thatched roof houses. Plus, traditional soju is produced in Andong using a blend of fermented and distilled rice and grains.

Yes. Considered the highlight of a visit to Andong, the Hahoe Folk Village allows visitors to experience the Joseon Dynasty-era rural life, with many of the houses featuring thatched roofs instead of the more common tiles. Andong and the village are a popular weekend escape from Seoul's hustle and bustle.

The Hahoe Folk Village is home to a couple hundred residents who make up a working community. It’s important to respect people's privacy if you step inside a house. Residents are used to visitors popping by, but you should be mindful. Houses have signs indicating if it's OK to enter.

Andong jjimdak is a variety of jjim (Korean steamed or braised dish) that’s made with chicken, veggies marinated in a ganjang-based sauce, and cellophane noodles. The name means steamed chicken of Andong. Other iconic fare includes salted mackerel and Andong soju, which tastes sour thanks to a high alcohol content.

Travelers typically stay two nights to visit the folk village—located about an hour outside Andong—and see the city’s other attractions such as the Bongjeongsa Temple. The Andong Hahoe Folk Village is large and takes about a half day to explore. All-day tours from Seoul to the village are available.

Yes. From Andong, you can travel by bus (50 minutes) or taxi (30 minutes) to Hahoe. The entrance fee is US$2. From Cheongnyangni and Seoul stations, it takes 4-5 hours to reach Andong. A bus takes about four. Most all-day guided tours from Busan or Seoul include roundtrip transportation.