Andong Hahoe
Folk Village
Andong Hahoe Folk Village (안동하회마을; map) sits 20 kilometers west of downtown Andong City. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and visited by Queen Elizabeth in 1999 and George W. Bush in 2005, the village offers glimpses of Joseon-era architecture.
This 600-year-old settlement rests at the bottom of a bend in the Nakdong River. It’s name, “Hahoe” (하회), translates to, “river that flows around.” Surrounding spread sandy beaches, mountains, and Buyongdae Cliff (부용대; map), which offers a bird view of the village.
Andong Hahoe’s layout includes 11 culturally significant and protected buildings and follows Feng Shui principles. The main hall sits in the center of town. Thatched roofed houses emanate outward, and two Confucian schools lie west and east of the village.
The village was home for the Ryu Family, which birthed a famous Joseon scholar and councilor. Today, most of the village’s 290 residents trace their lineage back to this clan.
Andong Hahoe also created, preserves, and performs one of Korea’s oldest mask dances, the Byeolsingut.
Entrance isn’t free, however. At the top of a road into the village find an entry gate, the Hahoe Mask Museum, and restaurants serving Heotjesatbap (a variation on bibimbap), jjimdak (glass noodles and chicken), and salted mackerel.
