The Bukchon Hanok Village: Where To Start

Picking a direction and beginning a self guided tour is how most approach the traditional area of Bukchon in the historic center of Seoul, Korea. As a longtime resident of the capital of Korea, I’ve visited the Bukchon Hanok Village numerous times, but I still remember that first time I went and felt like I didn’t really “see” anything. To make your time in the historic city center of Seoul memorable, there’s a lot you can do, and a lot I’ve covered in this guide to the Bukchon Hanok Village if you want to plan your own day in the area.

If it’s your first time though, stick around because I’m going to tell you the best way to visit the Bukchon Hanok Village for the first time. With this Bukchon Hanok Village itinerary, you’ll see, learn, drink tea, and see the Hanoks.

One of the most popular tourist areas in Seoul, get ready to walk along the Hanok lined alleys of the Bukchon Hanok Village:

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What to know about Bukchon

Bukchon is the area located between Gyeongbukgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. The area consists of Gahoe-dong, Songhyeon-dong, Anguk-dong, Samcheong-dong and Jae-dong and once the families of nobility and the most influential families of the time lived here.

The area is still a residential neighborhood and while some homes have been converted into cafes, restaurants, and experience centers, they haven’t all been so it’s wise to pay attention while you’re walking quietly through the neighborhoods. Don’t just walk into homes but only enter those that explicitly have signs welcoming you in.

Hanbok rental, where to rent a Hanbok in Seoul

Traditional Hanbok, Gwangjang Market, Seoul, Korea: Hallie Bradley

Get dressed up first

One of the most popular activities in Bukchon is to dress up in Hanboks, traditional Korean dresses, and stroll the historic streets. Choose a colorful skirt and top and head out to take gorgeous pictures among the Hanok homes and tea houses. This is the most popular experience for a reason… it’s just fun.

There are numerous colors to choose from and Koreans invite anyone and everyone to wear their traditional clothing so don’t be shy about taking part. It’s definitely an experience to wear one and I highly recommend it. Hanboks are available for men in sizes XS to XXL, for women in sizes XS to 4XL

Address: 2nd Floor, 4 Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 북촌로5길 4)
Hours: 9:00am ~ 7:00pm
Learn more about renting Hanboks in Seoul.

What NOT to do when you visit the Bukchon Hanok Village

Today, Bukchon is a very touristy spot much to the chagrin of the locals who may have owned their home for generations so it’s important to be respectful when you go and be aware of your surroundings.

You should not visit too early in the morning or stay too late in the evening.
Don’t be too noisy when you’re walking along the small Hanok lined alleys.
Don’t leave any trash behind. Korea is well known for not featuring a ton of trash cans unfortunately. If you’ve got something to throw away, hold on to it until you find somewhere to appropriately throw it away.

Where to go in the Bukchon Hanok Village

There are so many things you can do in Bukchon, plenty of cafes as well as tea houses, and more. Below, I’ve laid out a good walking tour route if it’s your first time in the area, or if you’re showing someone around. If you want to plan your own day though, check out this complete guide to Bukchon.

Bukchon Traditional Culture Center (북촌문화센터)

A great place to start to learn more about the Hanok structures and get a great map of the area is the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center. Heading to this center first also leads you down into a lesser visited part of the Bukchon Hanok Village where places can be found often without all of the crowds.

Opened in 2002, the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center was originally the home of the Min family, the last family in charge of finances during the Joseon Dynasty. Inside, you can learn about the Hanok structures and architecture in peace and quiet.

The house consists of a main building, or an anchae(안채), the outer quarters, or the baccatchae(바깥채), an annex, or a haengrangchae(행랑채), a separated building, or a byeolchae(별채), and a shrine, or a Sadang(사당). The haengrangchae now features information boards and videos concerning the history of the area and the architecture of the Hanok houses

Address: 37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Directions: From Anguk Subway Station, take exit 3. Walk straight from the exit and turn left onto the first street. This will lead you to the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center up just a bit on the left.
Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm; Saturday – Sunday: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm

Be sure to pick up a map of the area at the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center before you continue on so you know which Hanok houses you can stop into.

Gye-dong Gil

As you continue up Gye-dong Gil, there’s a section of street food, cafes, and restaurants which make for a great snack or quick bite. These spots aren’t as busy as the cafes and restaurants you’ll come to later when you cross to the busier section of the Bukchon Hanok Village so grab something here if you have kids who might get hangry… or if you’ll get hangry on the way.

Exhibition Hanoks

Keep walking up the street until it dead ends at a school. There are a number of Hanok exhibition centers and you’ll spot them fairly easily as they’re decorated and quite inviting. You can find them on both the left and right sides of the street. Enjoy the walk and don’t be afraid to step into the traditional Korean homes that are open here.

Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul, Korea; Souvenirs in Korea

Souvenir Shops

Some of my favorite souvenir shops are on this street as well. Walk up and you’ll see some beautiful locally made postcards and depictions of the Korean palaces, Hanok alleys, and more. Stop and see if there’s something you like.

Bukchon-ro 12-gil

When you get to the top of the road where it ends, turn left and you’ll turn left pretty quickly again to go down through another Hanok alley on Bukchon-ro 12-gil. This will lead to a beautiful alleyway lined with Hanoks that few head to but they’re open and full of experiences. You could get lost in this area and find beautiful alleyways so don’t be afraid to walk around a bit.

Kumbakyeon: gilded bookmarks, Bukchon, Seoul, Korea

Bukchon Traditional Experience Center (북촌전통예체헌관)

This culture center is tucked down an alley that shoots off to the left. Walk down and you’ll dead end here. Step in and see what experiences they have going on for the day. You can join a class, make something, and sit in a beautiful Hanok house. They have a variety of things going out daily so check their website for updated information.

Address: 24-5 Bukchon-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 북촌로 12길24-5)
Hours: March – October: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm; November – February: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm
Days: Every day except Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok
Website: See a calendar of events and experiences on their website at tour.jongno.go.kr

Dong-Lim Knot Museum (동림매듭박물관), Korean knot design, Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul, Korea

Dong-Lim Knot Museum (동림매듭박물관)

Dong-Lim Knot Museum is a great little stop that a lot of people walk right by. Though small, there is a lot inside to see. There are a variety of decorative traditional Korean maedeup (knots): norigae for hanbok, belts, pouches, as well as materials like thread, cord, and accessories and more than that, you can take a seat and make your own knotted design.

Address: 10 Bukchon-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 북촌로12길 10)
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
Experiences:
- One-time lesson making a dragonfly shaped cellphone chain OR bracelet: W7,000
- One-time lesson making a necklace: W10,000
- Regular knot course, two hours per week for four times: W100,000. Beginner to advanced courses available.
Website: http://www.shimyoungmi.com/

Crossing Over To The Most Popular Bukchon Hanok Alley

After passing the various experiential museums and spaces on this narrow alley, which is a great spot to get photos without a ton of people in your shot FYI, you’ll be at the main road and be able to cross over to the busier side of the Bukchon Hanok Village is with the iconic row of houses that you see in every photo.

Just after seeing the Dong-Lim Knot Museum, you’ll be at the main road. You can cross to the other side a bit north or a bit south at a crosswalk and then you can find the street in between the two crosswalks to continue. This is Bukchon-ro 11-gil.

Bukchon-ro 11-gil

You’ll know where to go as you follow the crowd on this side that will lead you to the more popular streets of the Bukchon Hanok Alley, but don’t be afraid to step off onto the quieter streets to take pictures and enjoy the surroundings. Just remember to be quiet yourself.

PRO TIP: If you want to get a great shot on the Hanok Alley sans a billion tourists, get there during lunch time. The tour buses get their tourists out of their for lunch so it’s THE best time to go get a great shot of the most popular alley in Gahoe-dong without making you get there at sunrise, when you shouldn’t be in the area anyway.

From the top, head back down

Once you reach the top of the alley, turn around, take in the views. If you’re looking down the Hanok alley with N Seoul Tower in the distance, you’ll want to go to the right to continue on.

Going right will take you toward Gyeongbokgung Palace. You can see the National Folk Museum of Korea on the grounds of the palace from here as well. This road will dead end and when it does, go left.

Bukchon-ro 5na-gil is pretty quiet and will get you down quickly if you want it to. You can go down into Samcheong-dong or down back toward Anguk Station and Insadong. If you’ve got the energy, check out the amazing Seoul Museum of Craft Art.