| Day 3: Andong, a Journey into the Past |
Traces of distinguished scholars of the past can be felt in Andong, a town of nobility. Cultural heritage is preserved in many forms such as the seowon (memorial hall), old-style homes, and traditional performances such as the Hahoe mask dance drama. The area acquired a measure of fame after Britain's Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1999. Visitors can also enjoy authentic local cuisine including heotjesabab (a memorial service meal) or gangodeungeo (marinated mackerel) as well as try the local liquor, Andong soju.
There are a number of accommodations including hotels and motels that can be found near the Andong train station. However, for a taste of traditional living you may wish to spend the night in a countryside home.
[ Sokcho → Seoul → Andong, or Sokcho → Chuncheon → Andong ]
* Since there's no bus that goes directly to Andong from Sokcho, you need to first go to either Seoul or Chuncheon and then continue to Andong.
Sokcho → Seoul (239 km) → Andong (267 km): Total travel time : 6 hrs, 50 mins.
Sokcho → Seoul
1. The bus ride from Sokcho Terminal to Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal (take subway Line No. 2 to Gangbyeon station) takes 4 hours. The first bus departs at 06:50 and the last one at 23:10. The bus operates 21 times a day (Night buses after 20:00 run only on weekends.) Bus fare costs 18,900 won.
2. The bus ride from Sokcho Terminal to Gangnam Express Bus Terminal (take subway Line No. 3 to Express Bus Terminal station) takes 4 hours. The first one departs at 06:30 and the last one at 23:00. The bus operates 27 times a day. Bus fare costs 14,900 won.
Seoul → Andong
1. The bus ride from Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal (take subway Line 2 to Gangbyeon station) takes 2 hrs, and 50 min. The first bus departs at 06:00 and the last one at 20:30. The bus operates 34 times a day. Bus fare costs 15,400 won.
2. The bus ride from Gangnam Express Bus Terminal (take subway Line No. 3 to Express Bus Terminal station) takes 3 hrs. The first bus departs at 06:40 and the last one at 19:40. The bus operates 9 times a day. Bus fare costs 12,500 won.
Sokcho → Chuncheon (175 km) → Andong (101 km) : Total travel time: 6 hrs.
Sokcho → Chuncheon
The trip takes 2 hrs, 10 min. The bus operates 17 times a day with the first bus departing at 06:30 and the last one at 19:00. Bus fare costs 12,800 won.
Chuncheon → Andong
Trip takes 4 hrs. The bus operates only once a day, departing at 16:18.
Bus fare costs 17,700 won.
* As of December 2006 |
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Hahoe Village makes a fine place to delve into the traditional culture of Korea because the old courtyard homes from the Joseon era and the Hahoe mask dance drama are both well-preserved. In the village, you will find Namchon-daek and Bukchon-daek, which represent the homes of the gentry. It's also interesting to visit the Samshin-dang area, home to a 600-year-old zelkova tree. There is a local belief that mistreating this tree can bring misfortune. Visitors can write a wish on a paper and hang it from one of the strings that surround the tree for good luck.
From March to November, the mask dance performance known as "Hahoe byeolsingut talchum" is held at the village's folklore preservation center (schedule varies by season), and from summer until winter one can take part in the harvest by picking melons and other produce.
A Helpful Tip When Visiting the Hahoe Village
To gain a better experience of the Hahoe Village, it is recommended that you stay at one of the traditional homes located in the Hahoe Village. Accommodations cost about 30,000 won for a small room (2 or 3 guests) and 50,000 won for a big room (4 or more guests). (prices are higher in summer). Most homes also provide meals and drinks at low prices.
Some homes offer guests traditional rice cakes as well as offer pottery-making or tea-making lessons. You can take a look inside these houses before deciding where to stay. Be sure and ask to see the bathroom for some houses are not equipped with western-style plumbing nor a western-style toilet seat.
Outside the Hahoe Village, it is also recommended to stay some of well-preserved Korean traditional houses, Hanoks.
→ For more information, click here. |
☞ How to get to Hahoe Village from Andong Regional Bus Terminal:
After exiting Andong Regional Bus Terminal, cross the street and take bus No. 46 to the Hahoe Village ticket office. (The last bus takes you inside the village. Bus times are 6:20, 8:40, 10:30, 11:25, 14:05, 14:50, 16:00, and 18:10. Travel time is about 40 minutes.)
→ For more information, click here! |
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| ● Byeongsan Seowon (Confucian School) |
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As its name describes, Byeongsan seowon is a beautiful seowon, or memorial hall, lined up against a mountain that spreads out like a folding screen. From the top of the Mandaeru Pavilion, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the surroundings, while from Ibgyodang a scene of the memorial hall exquisitely set across the backdrop of nature can be appreciated.
It is especially lovely in the fall when the colorful autumn foliage is at its peak, and in winter when the rocky cliffs become more prominent. However, many visitors come to see Byeonsan Seowon in summer to relax and enjoy the refreshing cool breeze by the river. Visitors can also stroll down the sandy path along the stream flowing in front of the memorial hall.
A Helpful Tip When Visiting Byeonsan Seowon
Because the bus bound for Byeongsan Seowon runs only twice a day, you may choose to take a call-taxi instead. The fare is about 20,000 won.
In the event that you stay at a homestay, some offer a ride to Byeongsan Seowon, so you might want to check into the service. (This service is provided at the home owner's discretion; thus, availability may depend on his/her schedule and the price varies. In the case of the Beonnam Gotaek Minbak (homestay), the price is 20,000 won for a party of four during the off-peak season.) |
☞ How to get to Byeongsan Seowon from Hahoe Village:
Take bus No. 46 from in front of the ticket office of Hahoe Village at 11:05 or 14:45 (This bus departs from downtown Andong and stops at Hahoe Village en route to Byeongsan Seowon, so there may be a 10-minute delay.) Upon arriving at Byeongsan Seowon, the bus waits 10 to 20 minutes before returning to Hahoe Village/downtown Andong. So, you may take the bus from the drop-off location to return to the bus station.
→ For more information, click here!
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