The Hanok: Tradition Remains Alive in Seoul While the Seoul of today is a sprawling, modern metropolis filled with shopping districts, tourist attractions, restaurants and modern skyscrapers, visitors can still find many neighborhoods bearing traditional Korean houses known as 'hanok'. These attractive wooden dwellings represent an important aspect of Korea's cultural and historical identity. Even to this day, many hanok are still used as residences, while others have been converted into lovely restaurants, tea shops, museums, guest houses and even dental clinics. When walking through a hanok neighborhood, one can truly get a sense of what it was like to live during Korea's Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Unlike the common grid pattern streets seen in many cities around the world, hanok were built on narrow winding alleyways and along fresh streams complementing the local geography. Curved and straight lines formed by the tiled roofs and eaves naturally blend into the surrounding landscape. The traditional interior and exterior characteristics of a hanok are environmentally friendly while also efficient and practical in design. Heating and cooling are controlled by floor heating and the physical dimensions and shape of the building. The floor heating system, called 'ondol', can keep the house warm for days. The heat created by the kitchen stove (or hot water pipes in modern hanok) traverses back and forth through channels beneath the floor, where stone and clay retain warmth throughout the home. During the warmer summer months, a high noon sun will not directly shine on the entire home because the slanted, tiled overhanging eaves keep the house cool. They also protect against rain, wind and snow throughout the year. Another great feature of the hanok is that because it is built from mud, wood and paper, the house actually absorbs moisture and releases it when dry, acting as a natural humidifier. Hanok houses are built using all-natural raw materials and specialized craftsmanship. Earth, timber, rock, and paper are the primary materials used to construct these beautiful structures. Similar construction and design are present in temples and palaces around Seoul. However unlike these royal and religious buildings, hanok are not painted with elaborate colors and designs, but instead left natural and simple, since they were the homes of the more common people. The best places to see these traditional homes are in Bukchon and Insadong. The Bukchon Hanok Village, situated between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, is accessible from the north side of Anguk Station on subway line 3. Bukchon has been a traditional residential district throughout Seoul's 600-year-old history. The hundreds of small streets have been kept as they were and have become part of the romantic atmosphere of this neighborhood. On the south side of Anguk station lies the Insadong district, which is filled with shops selling tea, souvenirs and pottery. In the back streets of Insadong, you can easily find a number of restaurants and bars located in hanok houses. When visiting Seoul, don't miss the hanok experience while you eat, sleep, stroll, shop, or get your teeth cleaned. It will add a true sense of Korean history, culture and beauty to your stay here. Seoul also has a number of hanok guest houses and restaurants right in the heart of the city. See below for more information.
Hanok Guest Houses
Hanok Restaurants |